www.thalesgroup.

com/germany

Thales Axle Counter

The Challenges for a modern
Train Detection System
Joachim Janle
Director Axle Counter Business
 2/ Axle Counter – Past Challenges

THALES
 World-Wide market leader in Axle Counter Technology
 More than 80 years experience with Axle Counters

Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, 240412.PPT

 3/ Axle Counter – Past Challenges

System Evolution
 Introduction in the 1930ies: First Inductive Rail Contacts
BUT: Axle Counters not as reliable as Track Circuits
 Change in the late 1960ies: Introduction of Electronic Axle Counters
-> Drastic Improvement of reliability compared to Track
Circuits
 New Generation in the 1980ies: Introduction of Microprocessor technology
-> Introduction of redundant system concepts (2oo3) and fault
tolerant data transmission
 1995: German Railways DB decides to go exclusively with Axle Counters
for Train Detection for two reasons
 Economical: Application of Axle Counter much cheaper than Track Circuits
 Operational: Much higher reliability than track circuits
 2000: Introduction of CENELEC Compliant Systems
 Modular and Scalable Thales Multi-Section Axle Counter AzLM

Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, 240412.PPT

 4/ Axle Counter – Future Challenges

What has in the past prevented the

widespread application of Axle Counters ?

Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, 240412.PPT

 5/ Axle Counter – Past Challenges

Broken Rail Detection

 Track Circuits can detect broken rails, Axle Counters can not….
BUT:
 Can Track Circuits really detect Broken Rails (reliably) ?

 Example: Statistic by MTRC (Hong Kong), June 27th, 2001

Ye ar '91 '92 '93 '94 '95 '96 '97 '98 '99 '00
No. of Cra cke d Ra ils - 61 52 41 65 38 39 45 22 22
No. of Broke n Ra ils 2 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 4 0
No. of De te cte d by TC 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 2 0

SUMMARY:
 Only independent Track Inspection (e.g. Ultrasonic) can reliably detect
cracked and broken rail
 -> Track Circuits can NOT !
Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, 240412.PPT
 6/ Axle Counter – Past Challenges

Track Circuit Clips

 A Track Circuit Clip can block a Track Circuit, e.g. in case of an accident, Axle Counter can
not….

BUT:
 What happens in block lines without train detection ?
 Stopping a train to block an adjacent track is a safety risk by itself

SOLUTION:
 Train Radio is now widely available for driver communication
 It is faster and safer than a Track Circuit Clip

Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, 240412.PPT

 7/ Axle Counter – Performance Challenges

How are Axle Counters today contributing

to Railways growth in safety and
operational efficiency ?

Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, 240412.PPT

 8/ Axle Counter – Performance Challenges

Full Redundant Axle Counter Applications

 Train detection reaching 100% Availability !
Background:
 Applications: Lines with extremely high train density, Operational
Bottleneck sections, Difficult site access in case of failure (e.g. tunnels)
 Areas with high impact on railway operation
 -> Driven by financial compensation for Non-Availability (delay Minutes)

Reference Projects:
 Lötschberg Tunnel Project, Switzerland
 HSL South High speed Line, Netherlands
 Gotthard Tunnel Project

Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, 240412.PPT

 9/ Axle Counter – Performance Challenges

Full Redundant Axle Counter Systems

 Highest availability of service critical railway lines
HSL South, NL
 Proven and hardened solution
 In service since 2005
 The interface to the interlocking
is evolving over time

Lötschberg, CH
Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, 240412.PPT
 10 / Axle Counter – Performance Challenges

Full redundant 2 x 2oo2 configurations

DP DP DP DP

DP DP DP DP

ACE 2oo2 ACE 2oo2

ACE 2oo2 ACE 2oo2

Sectio Sectio
nstatus Reset nstatus Reset

Interlocking Interlocking

Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, 240412.PPT

 11 / Axle Counter – Redundancy Flexibility

Classical Application
 Indoor 2oo2 ACE, Non-Redundant Outdoor
 Relay Output or Serial Output to Interlocking

ACE
Po we r Supp ly
Po wer Sup ply

Interlocking
Comp uter
Comp uter

Relay or serial
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slo t
I/O -Slot
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slo t
I/ O -Slo t
I/ O -Slot

Section 1
interface
I/ O -Slo t
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slo t
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slo t
I/ O -Slo t

I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slo t
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot

Redundancy concepts
 Indoor redundancy
 Outdoor redundancy
 Full redundancy: indoor and outdoor redundancy

Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, 240412.PPT

 



12 /

Section 1
Section 1
I/ O -Slot Comp uter I/ O -Slot Comp uter
I/ O -Slo t Comp uter I/ O -Slo t Comp uter
I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot Po we r Supp ly I/ O -Slot Po we r Supp ly I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot Powe r Sup ply I/ O -Slot Powe r Sup ply
I/ O -Slot Comp uter I/ O -Slot Comp uter
I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t Co mp uter I/ O -Slo t Co mp uter

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t

Po wer Sup ply Po wer Sup ply
I/ O -Slot Po wer Sup ply I/ O -Slot Po wer Sup ply
I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t
I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t
I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t
I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot
I/O -Slot I/O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t
I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot
I/O -Slot I/O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot

Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, 240412.PPT

I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t
I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t

Section 1
I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t
I/O -Slot I/O -Slot
I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t
I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot

ACE 2
Indoor redundancy

ACE 1
ACE 2
ACE 1

interface

interface
Relay or serial

Relay or serial
Alternative: duplicated cable infrastructure
Indoor 2oo2 ACE, Non-Redundant Outdoor
Relay Output or Serial Output to Interlocking
Section evaluation in Separate Circuitry or in the Interlocking

Interlocking
Interlocking
Axle Counter – Redundancy Flexibility
 13 / Axle Counter – Redundancy Flexibility

Outdoor redundancy
 Outdoor Redundant Concept 2 x Outdoor and 1 x Indoor
 Relay Output or Serial Output to Interlocking
 Section evaluation in Separate Circuitry or in the Interlocking

Section 1a Interlocking
Po wer Sup ply
Powe r Supp ly

Co mp ute r
Comp uter

I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slo t
I/ O -Slo t
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slo t
I/ O -Slot

Section 1a
Section 1b Relay or
I/ O -Slo t
I/O -Slot
I/O -Slot

I/ O -Slo t
I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slo t
I/O -Slot
I/O -Slot
I/ O -Slo t
I/ O -Slo t
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot

serial interface
ACE
Section 1b

Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, 240412.PPT

 




14 /

Section 1b
Section 1a
I/ O -Slo t Comp uter I/ O -Slo t Comp uter

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot Powe r Sup ply I/ O -Slot Powe r Sup ply
I/ O -Slo t Co mp uter I/ O -Slo t Co mp uter
I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t
I/ O -Slot Po wer Sup ply I/ O -Slot Po wer Sup ply
I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t

I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t

I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot

Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, 240412.PPT

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot
Full Redundancy

ACE 2
ACE 1

Relay or
serial interface
Relay Output or Serial Output to Interlocking

Proven and hardened solution: In service since 2005.

Full Redundant Concept 2 x (Indoor 2x2oo2 ACE + Outdoor).

Section evaluation in Separate Circuitry or in the Interlocking.

Interlocking
Axle Counter – Redundancy Flexibility
 15 / Axle Counter – Efficiency Challenges

What is making Axle Counters even

more effective ?

Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, 240412.PPT

 16 / Axle Counter – Efficiency Challenges

SEAMLESS
REDUCTION
INTEGRATION
of
into
OWNERSHIP
IP NETWORKS
COST Text

Key features
of the Thales
Az LM V6-series

STANDARDIZED NEW value

INTERFACE adding AXLE
to ELECTRONIC COUNTER
INTERLOCKING APPLICATIONS

Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, 240412.PPT

 17 / Axle Counter – Efficiency Challenges

Reduction of Ownership Cost: The new Rail Contact SK30K

 No disassembly for tamping and rail grinding
 Mounting over sleeper in combination with large rail profiles (e.g. UIC60, S54, …)
 Cable outlet on/beside the sleeper (protection of cables)
 Electrically compatible with
the Sk30H Rail Contact
 Improved compatibility with track
maintenance vehicles

Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, 240412.PPT

 18 / Axle Counter – Efficiency Challenges

Reduction of Ownership Cost: The new Rail Contact Sk30K

 Improved Clearance at rail mounting

Sk30H Sk30K

2-way 26...50 mm
Vehicle Zone

70mm

Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, 240412.PPT

 


19 /



Interlocking

4
4
4
4
4
4
Relay Output
I/ O -Slot Computer

Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, 240412.PPT

IP connection to
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot Power Supply
I/ O -Slot Comp uter
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot Power Supply
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot

Relays / Opto couplers

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot

the Electronic Interlocking

I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot
Axle Counter Evaluator

I/ O -Slot

the Operation and Maintenance Centres

Available for 2oo2 and redundant 2oo3 system
Interlocking

IP network

I/ O -Slot Comp uter

No Relays and Parallel I/O cards in the indoor unit required

I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot Powe r Supply
No relay / opto coupler interfaces at the interlocking required

I/ O -Slot Comp uter

I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot Powe r Supply
I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot
Standardized serial IP interface to Electronic Interlocking

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot
Axle Counter Evaluator

I/ O -Slot
Axle Counter – Efficiency Challenges
 20 / Axle Counter – Efficiency Challenges

Seamless integration into IP networks

 e.g. Ethernet right up to the Trackside Detection Points

2-Cu

IP
IP network
IPnetwork
network 2-Cu
Power Supply
Power Supply

Computer
Computer

I/O-Slot

I/O-Slot

I/O-Slot

I/O-Slot
I/O-Slot

I/O-Slot

I/O-Slot

I/O-Slot

I/O-Slot

I/O-Slot
Evaluator 2 Power Supply
IP
IPnetwork
network
Interlocking
Operation & Maintenance
IP
IPnetwork
network

Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, 240412.PPT

 
I/ O -Slo t Co mp ute r I/ O -Slo t Co mp ute r

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot Po wer Sup ply I/ O -Slot Po wer Sup ply
I/ O -Slot Comp uter I/ O -Slot Comp uter
21 /

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot Po we r Supp ly I/ O -Slot Po we r Supp ly
I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t
I/O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/O -Slot I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t

I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t

I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t

Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, 240412.PPT

ACE-ACE connection via IP network.
2
2
2
2

IP network
Seamless integration into IP networks

I/ O -Slo t Co mp ute r I/ O -Slo t Co mp ute r

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot Po wer Sup ply I/ O -Slot Po wer Sup ply
I/ O -Slot Comp uter I/ O -Slot Comp uter
I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot
I/ O -Slot Po we r Supp ly I/ O -Slot Po we r Supp ly
I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t
I/O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/O -Slot I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slot

I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slot I/ O -Slo t

I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t

I/ O -Slo t I/ O -Slo t
Axle Counter – Efficiency Challenges
 22 / Axle Counter – Efficiency Challenges

Seamless integration into IP networks

 Drastic reduction in Hardware

 Serial Interface
 Reduction of Relay boards

 Detection Points via IP

network
 Reduction of Serial I/O
Boards

Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, 240412.PPT

 23 / Axle Counter – Future Challenges

Operation and Maintenance

 IP based diagnostic information
 Remote Resetting  From individually maintained
Stations…..

 To full CTC controlled area

supervision…..

Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, 240412.PPT