Next generation Train control and Management System

Railway vehicles from Trams to Metros, from Commuter Trains to High Speed Trains and
Locomotives, need a communication network on-board to allow the exchange of important
information between sub-systems. This communication network culminates in a solution which today
is known as Train Control and Management System (TCMS). A state-of-the-art TCMS needs to offer
a secure and reliable vehicle operation while it monitors and diagnoses train-wide sub-systems
operations. At the same time it includes advanced signal processing, communication systems and
network services, contributing to optimized vehicle availability through a permanent train-to-wayside
communication. Rail transport is always the key enabling factor for sustainable mobility. Rail
transport underpins economic growth. A key strategy to promote a significant cut in Green House
Gas emissions by using environment-friendly transport modes such as the rail transport, including
metro, light rail and heavy rail as Lifetime of railways is counted in decades so if someone is talking
about changing the world and save the environment from pollution, Isnt it sound awesome?

Why do we need a specific railway telecommunication and signal processing architecture? Traditional
public communication architectures designed for financial return as Railway communication architectures
are designed to cater to the stringent performance requirements and again Train control signal systems
and other information systems for operational goals are designed to meet very stringent safety standards
(RAMS, SIL levels) & legislative requirements. While in traditional public communication
architectures handover process is a rare exception, in railway communication architectures is the
rule. TCMS is the brain behind the muscles that powers Rolling stock Trains. It is a modular, scalable,
secure and open-standard signal control and communication platform which manages and controls the
flow of information both on-board between the different sub-systems like converters, doors, heating and
ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) and also between the train and ground.
 Figure 1 Railway Information Flow

TCMS is the infrastructure enabling the exchange of information throughout the train. It connects all the
train sub-systems together via a common network (or several when requested), enabling centralized
control. In most modern trains, on-board sub-systems generate a large quantity of data which is essential
for safety (speed, braking, faults etc.) and operation purposes (system status, energy consumption, video
recording etc.). TCMS is able to gather this data, analyze it, and send logical commands and warnings.
The information signals can be automatically exchanged between sub-systems and conveyed in real time
to the train driver, the train captain, remotely located personnel and even passengers.

Figure 2 Signal Processing in TCMS

Collecting data from sub-systems on-board the train, processing it and visualizing it to both on-board and
maintenance depot personnel is the key to better and safer train operations as well as improved
availability. Displaying status information including practical instructions at exceptional situations makes
it sure train drivers can concentrate on their job without compromising the safety of passengers. It
integrates access to data networks, controls and monitors sub-systems and includes a very comprehensive
fault diagnostics functions in one system. Through dedicated control and diagnostic applications it can be
guaranteed that most diverse sub-systems distributed within a train of different needs can communicate
through all the necessary and dedicated networks, being them from Ethernet to WTB, from MVB to
CAN. All data received from these networks can be stored into a non-volatile memory for later use or be
transferred wirelessly to dedicated maintenance depots for analysis.

A modern Train Control and Management System is flexible in its configuration allowing the connection
and supervision of all railway related devices: Serial links, digital or analogue signals as well as all types
of networks can be connected to a very comprehensive system.

Software applications can be customized to each and every project through latest generation software
tools and run on reliable and real-time operation systems fulfilling demanding safety integrity levels
(SIL).

Jay Patel is born in 1993 in Vadodara-India. He has received his

Bachelor of Engineering in 2014 and Master of Engineering in
Electronics & Communication Engineering 2016 from Gujarat
Technological University. He is currently working as Assistant
Professor in Electronics & Communication Department in Parul
University, India. He is also student branch chair of IEEE Parul
University SB and PES Chapter. He served Bombardier
Transportation India Pvt Ltd, Savli as Project Trainee in Method
Department. He had published a book and 3 international technical
research papers.