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TCAS - Field Trial Demo 24.11.2014 Ver 0.4 PDF
TCAS - Field Trial Demo 24.11.2014 Ver 0.4 PDF
TCAS - Field Trial Demo 24.11.2014 Ver 0.4 PDF
ATP systems with Cab signalling like TCAS are needed in such situations of high
speed & foggy weather to provide aid & confidence to driver in lack of which train
operations also get affected.
Salient Features:
• Suitable for specific requirement & conditions Indian Railways
• Prevention of Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD) :
(SPAD is second-most safety concern after accidents at LC Gates)
• Speed Supervision
• Cab Signalling
• User Friendly monitor for Train Drivers
• Helpful in Foggy Weather
• Centralized monitoring of real-time train movement.
• Multiple vendors due to open interface architecture - Free from monopoly
• Adherence to high international standards
• Indigenous, cost effective system
• Future prospects for Export
Status of TCAS Development:
• The Proof of Concept to demonstrate the technology was made through Field Trials in
October – November 2012.
• Development work of interoperable & operationally deployable version of TCAS
encompassing 250 km section & 40 Locomotives was distributed among three
different indigenous firms.
• As initial phase, field trials of key test scenarios including interoperability carried out
over 32 km Section and 4 Locomotives with operationally deployable versions of
prototypes from two firms. Third firm also off late commenced field trials in the way
for development of interoperable product.
• Presently, fabrication of material, their testing and Site execution activities such as
Towers etc. for Full-fledged field trial encompassing 250 km section with 40
Locomotives to be taken up in Feb – Mar’2015 are in progress.
Outcome:
• Increased Safety
• Aid to Loco Drivers for convenience in operations, foggy weather.
Page 1 of 36
1. Introduction of Field Demonstration:
(a) TCAS is for assistance and shall not normally apply the brakes if the
operating rules are followed and the speeds are within limit.
(b) It shall take action of braking only when the movements and speeds
are not in accordance with operating rules.
(c) Therefore, for testing and demonstration of its capabilities, staff would
be asked to deliberately violate certain rules such as the driver to
increase speed even when the signal is red etc. However, these
activities will be performed after ensuring that other requisite conditions
for safety are fulfilled.
2. Schematic arrangement
Apart from Station & Loco Units, there are RFID tags installed on track. RFID tags
provide static information related to section such as Location, Speed information etc.
Loco Unit is an embedded system with peripherals like Brake Interface, RFID
Reader, Driver Machine Interface, Radio Communication etc. Stationary (Stations,
IB, mid-section interlocked LC Gates) Units have Radio Communication, Interface to
Interlocking and networking. They have all static information in its database, signal
related dynamic information, dynamic information of various locomotives in its
territory and intelligence to guide various Locomotives. Proper functioning of System
to assist Loco Pilot is obtained through coordination of Loco & Stationary Equipment.
Page 2 of 36
3. Comparison of functional features of TCAS with ETCS
Page 3 of 36
4. (A) Field Trials / History for development of TCAS:
(a) Field Trials of May 2012: These basic Field Trials were done in Lucknow – Manak
Nagar - Amausi –Piparsand –Section to ascertain feasibility of components like Radio,
RFID & GPS.
(b) Field Concept Trials of Oct-Nov’2012 : Following Lab testing in 2012, Field Concept
Trials made in Oct – Nov’ 2012 to demonstrate the technology in association with
HBL, Hyderabad. However, improvements were to be made in that model to make it
operationally deployable keeping multi-vendor interoperability also under
consideration. This Field Trial was witnessed by Chairman Railway Board, Member
Electrical, Additional Member (Signal), General Manager /SC Railway, Divisional
Railway Manager and other officials.
(e) Field Trials of Dec’2013 - Jan’2014 - Feb’2014 – Sept’2014 – Till date : This phase of
trials included testing of various features involving Braking Unit interface such as
SPAD Prevention, Speed Supervision etc. The system with key features has been
demonstrated in field with multi-vendor interoperability.
Page 4 of 36
5. Development of Operationally deployable interoperable TCAS product :
Development of operationally deployable and multi-vendor interoperable product
was planned by placing order to 3 different firms from industry as under.
Page 5 of 36
6. Firm-wise TCAS installation:
Package-A Firm (Medha) : Tandur & Mantatti Stations
Electric Loco WAG-7 27854
Diesel Loco WDG 3A 13616
(B) RDSO Light Engine 27831: This shall be kept at Down Loop Line of Nawandgi
ready to move towards Mantatti when Train Formation leaves from Tandur.
This Loco shall be left first in Nawandgi-Mantatti Block Section on Down Line and
later on Train Formation hauled by Loco 27854 shall be sent to Mantatti – Nawandgi
Block Section on UP Line. In Nawandgi – Mantatti Block Section on Down Line, it
shall be be stopped for 3 minutes at km 57.5 km. On clearance from Block Section, it
shall be immediately sent to Tandur for testing when the RDSO Train formation
returns from Kurgunta and Calling-on testing is done with this Loco 27831 on
berthing track & formation being received on Down Calling of Tandur.
Page 6 of 36
Station TCAS Equipment
& its interfacing to
Relay Room
Page 7 of 36
Radio
Modems
Braking Unit
Kernex Loco
Equipment
Radio Unit
Pneumatic Unit
Medha Loco
Equipment
Page 8 of 36
RFID Reader on Loco
Antennae on Loco
RFID
Page 9 of 36
Frequently used terms
Movement Authority : Distance upto which permission to move is granted. In case of
Signal at Red ahead, it is the distance from current position of Locomotive to the Signal at
Red.
Distance Supervision : Train should not be allowed to move beyond the Movement
Authority. The Speed should reduce to zero when it reaches End of Movement Authority.
Brakes shall be applied by him, and if not by him, by TCAS to ensure so.
Speed Supervision: There may be need to follow speed limit within the Movement
Authority on account of PSR etc. For example, there may be situation when Movement
Authority available is adequate, say 10 km, but there is 75 kmph speed restriction 1 km ahead
of train. In such case, there shall be need to apply the brakes not on account of Movement
Authority but on account of Speed Restriction. Brakes shall be applied by him, and if not by
him, by TCAS to ensure so.
Target Distance: It is the distance from current position of Locomotive to the spot where
from “Target Speed” is required to be observed.
Driver Machine Interface (DMI) provides visual display and Audio alerts to the Loco Pilot. It
also receives inputs from the Loco Pilot through buttons and switches.
Page 10 of 36
Various Symbols:
Normal Mode
On Sight Mode
Shunt Mode
Service Brake
Emergency Brake
Page 11 of 36
TCAS Field Demo : List of Scenarios (24.11.2014)
Test Scenarios Line
Tandur Station (Electric LocoWAG-7 27854 leading):
T-01 : Station Equipment Visit
T-02 : Real-time Display of Train Movement on Monitor
----
T-03 : Auto-health Test of TCAS Braking on Boot-up
T-04: Transition from Staff Responsible Mode to Normal Mode
T-05 : Various DMI Displays in Loco
Tandur – Mantatti Block Section: Up
T-06: Train Length Determination Main
T-07: Manual Brake Test
T-08: LC Gate 12 Approach Warning in Locomotive (km 67/24-26)
T-09: SPAD Prevention at Mantatti Up Home
Mantatti Station: Up
T-10 : Detection of entry to Wrong Line by placing other line RFID Tag on track Main
Mantatti – Nawandgi Block Section: 27854
T-11:Head-on Collision Prevention (Virtual) between LE 27831 and Formation 27854 on Up,
T-12: Loco generated SOS (involving LE 27831 & Formation hauled by 27854) 26831
T-13:Unusual Stoppage: Side Collision Msg (involving LE 27831 and Formation 27854) on
T-14: Permanent Speed Restriction PSR (75 kmph @ km 56.5 to 55.3) Down
Nawandgi Station: Up
T-15: Generation of Manual SoS from Station Main
Nawandgi – Kurgunta Block Section: Up
T-16: Stationary Communication Failure
Kurgunta Station (Now Diesel Loco WDG-3A 13414 leading): CMN
T-17: Transition from Staff Responsible Mode to Normal Mode Loop
T-18 : Override Common L/L Dn Starter Sig and On-sight Mode upto Dn Adv Starter
Kurgunta - Nawandgi Block Section: Down
T-19 :SPAD Prevention at Nawandgi Down Home Signal
Nawandgi Station: Down
T-20: IP based Real-time Train Movement Display on Tablet / Mobile Main
T-21: Control Table Testing – effect of Point Indication on Movement Authority
Nawandgi – Mantatti Block Section: Down
T-22 : Permanent Speed Restriction PSR (75 kmph @ km 55.3 to 56.5)
T-23: Continuous update of Movement Authority (delayed clearance of Home Signal)
Mantatti Station: Down
T-24: Put back Mainline Starter Signal – Trip, Post Trip Main
Mantatti – Tandur Block Section: Down
T-25: LC Gate 12 Approach Warning in Locomotive (km 67/24-26)
Tandur Station:
T-26: Reception on Calling-on Signal with Loco 27831 ahead on same berth. Track ----
T-27: Shunting Mode for Coupling
Page 12 of 36
13414 27854
27831
Page 13 of 36
Description of Various Scenarios
Station Visit at Tandur
Various stations have been connected on cable through which status
of trackside (signal aspects etc) and trains can be seen on monitored
on GUI Yard diagram. This system is interfaced with Station TCAS units
through wiring, thus it is able to display all the Signal aspects
irrespective of the fact whether its status is being transmitted on Air or
not.
Page 14 of 36
Information Displayed on TCAS DMI :
Most of the information displayed is in form of Analog Displays in form of Circular Gauges
(Arcs) and bars keeping ergonomics and convenience of Loco Pilots. Digital values have
also been additionally displayed. Audio prompts and warnings also are implemented.
Page 15 of 36
Page 16 of 36
Train Length Determination by TCAS
Page 17 of 36
Manual Brake Test
Real-time Display of Speed – Distance (Abs Loc) Curve : Display of MBT (Yellow)
Page 18 of 36
LC Gate Approach Warning
Page 19 of 36
SPAD Prevention at Mantatti Up Home / Down Nawandgi Signal
Home Signal shall be kept at ON with all other conditions such as route
setting, locking etc., fulfilled for taking it OFF. Loco Pilot is instructed to
approach the Home Signal at Red with maximum permissible speed for
testing purpose. It shall be observed whether TCAS applies the brakes
to stop Train before Home Signal at Red (Stop).
On instruction from RDSO team through VHF set, the Station Master shall
then clear the Up Home Signal.
Signal
Orange : FSB
Red : EB
Orange : FSB
Page 20 of 36
Prevention of SPAD at Home Signal:
SPAD Prevention:
Train Stopped by
TCAS prior to
Mantatti Down Home
SPAD Prevention:
Outside view of Train
Stopped by TCAS at
Mantatti Down Home
Signal
Page 21 of 36
Detection of Entry
ntry to Wrong Line
TCAS determines physical movement of train through traversal of RFID tags on track.
Normally it should match with the route set by conventional signal interlocking. However, in
case of mismatch, the Station shall generate SOS to stop the train moving on unexpected line.
A tag corresponding to other line is placed on the line on which the movement is taking place
to simulate wrong line entry. The Loco shall be stopped by command from Stationary TCAS
Unit.
After this demonstration, the actual position of train shall be restored by swiping RFID tags
corresponding to Common Loop Line.
Testing with Virtual Loco Simulation
Testing of numerous
rous conditions for conflicts in various Locomotive positions is practical
practically
not possible. These can, however, be tested through Loco Simulator.
After taking OFF Up Common Loop line Starter Signal, One “Virtual Loco” shall be placed
between this signal andd “Up Advanced Starter” Signal. Loco Equipment shall receive the
status (reduced Movement Authority, Red Signal Aspect) as if this Signal is not OFF
protecting “Virtual Loco”. On removal of “Virtual Loco”, Up Common Loop line Starter
Signal shall be restored to OFF.
Head-on
on Collision Prevention in Mantatti – Nawandgi B/S
• Both the RDSO Train Formation and Light Engine 27831, would move into the Block
Section in opposite directions physically on UP & DOWN lines (different
different lines
lines)
respectively. Down Light Engine shall be virtually shifted on “UP Line” heading
towards Mantatti Station by swiping UP Line RFID tags, creating virtual Head Head-on
collision situation.
• Since RFID Tags are installed throughout Block Section, if Light Engine is allowed to
move towards Mantatti, it shall again acquire status of being on Down Line. In order
to prevent this for testing demonstration, the Light Engine 27831 is restricted to
proceed further but continue to retain status of being on UP Line & heading towards
Mantatti. Loco Pilot lot of RDSO Train Formation shall increase speed to Maximum
Permissible Speed. It shall be observed that TCAS applies brakes when the trains
come closer to prevent virtual Head
Head-on Collision Prevention.
Virtual Position
Page 22 of 36
Speed Supervision at Permanent Speed Restriction:
Testing Permanent Speed Restriction of 75 kmph has been provided for TCAS testing
between Mantatti – Nawandgi on both – Up & Down lines.
Page 23 of 36
Loco Simulator, Realtime Display of Train Movements
Through Loco Simulator and arrangement of realtime display of TCAS
network (including other stations), testing of various scenarios can be
easily made. An example is discussed here. This example is for
additional check being performed by TCAS over and above those by
Interlocking. The train formation shall be made to move on common
loopline in “Normal Mode”. Although not physically possible if
Interlocking is functioning alright, another “Virtual Train” is forced to
enter this loopline through Loco Simulator. Station TCAS unit shall detect
that both the trains are heading towards same portion of track; it shall
command braking to both the trains. Station is capable of detecting
such conflict even after a train has crossed the signal under legitimate
move and another train enters to same portion of track subsequently.
Page 24 of 36
Loop-line Speed Control
Yellow : NSB
TCAS bringing the speed within allowed limit of 30kmph for loopline
Page 25 of 36
Shunt Mode:
Brake Isolation
Calling-ON Signal
Up Calling – On signal of
Nawandgi
15 kmph Speed
Control following Page 26 of 36
Calling - on
Continuous Update of Movement Authority : Distinct Advantage over ETCS L-1
Page 27 of 36
Signal Put back to Red in face of fast moving approaching train
Page 28 of 36
Advanced Starter Signal was kept at
Green
Page 29 of 36
SMS Alert on SPAD / crossing End of Authority
Page 30 of 36
Test Scenario: Override at Kurgunta Down Loop Line Starter Signal L-4 at Red
Page 31 of 36
Loco generated SOS
Manual SOS shall be initiated by Light Engine 27831. Brakes shall be applied in
RDSO Train Formation. The TCAS brakes shall be released once the SOS is
cancelled from Light Engine 27831.
Page 32 of 36
Dignitaries Visits - TCAS Field Demo
Page 33 of 36
Inspection by Member Mechanical (Feb’2014)
Page 34 of 36
Demo of TCAS Lab Model to CRS, Lucknow(July’2014)
Page 35 of 36
TCAS Lab Demo at RDSO, Lucknow to Hon’ble Minister of States for Railways (Oct’2014)
Page 36 of 36