Increase of Efficiency in Wireless Train Control Systems (ETCS Level 2) by the Use of Actual Packet-Oriented Transmission Concepts

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Jobmann ◽  
Simon F. Ruesche ◽  
Jan Steuer
Keyword(s):  
Control Systems ◽  
Capital Investment ◽  
Rail Transport ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Radio System ◽  
Train Control ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Expansion Stage ◽  
Level 2 ◽  
Transport Management

The European Rail Transport Management System (ERTMS) was introduced by the European Union (EU) to harmonize the nearly 18 different national train control systems which are currently in use, to accelerate the interoperability of the passenger- and freight-transport and, finally, to increase the utilization of tracks by dynamic train control. The essential components of ERTMS are the train-specific, cellular, professional mobile radio system GSM-R (GSM-Railway) and the so-called European Train Control System (ETCS) which provides, by its second expansion stage (ETCS Level 2), the control- and signalling-information between the train and the related control location via GSM-R in a connection-oriented and wireless way. This wireless and connection-oriented approach will be the bottleneck of the system, which considerably limits the possible number of voice- and data-connections in each cell at the same time and will cause a deadlock of the system, if the number of users will rapidly increase (e.g. accidents, freight depots, lines with a high and dynamic volume of traffic). Within this paper the first part of a packet-switched approach is presented to counteract this expected deadlock by taking into account that the GSM-R infrastructure, which is often already installed by the national railroad operators, also should be used to save the high capital investment of those companies.

Balancing the Service Benefits and Mainline Delay Disbenefits of Operating Shorter Freight Trains

2021 ◽  
pp. 036119812110114
Author(s):  
Adrian Diaz de Rivera ◽  
C. Tyler Dick ◽  
Matthew M. Parkes
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Control Systems ◽  
Transit Time ◽  
Capital Investment ◽  
Time Estimation ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Fixed Costs ◽  
Train Control ◽  
Operating Strategies ◽  
High Traffic Volume

Advanced train control systems enabling single-person crews or driverless trains promise to significantly reduce the fixed costs of operating a train, removing a strong incentive for longer trains. For carload freight traffic, operating a given number of railcars in shorter trains enables railroads to improve service quality and revenue through increased train frequencies or more direct trains bypassing intermediate classification yards. However, operating shorter trains increases the total number of trains on existing rail corridors, exacerbating congestion and decreasing network fluidity. Rail Traffic Controller simulation software is used to quantify the potential mainline delay impacts and relative capacity consumption of shorter trains. Different combinations of train length and train type heterogeneity are tested on representative single-track freight corridors. Results indicate that train control systems with moving blocks can mitigate some of the mainline delay impacts of shorter trains, particularly at a high traffic volume, with a mix of train types and a greater proportion of railcars traveling on short trains. Mid-siding crossovers can further boost the effectiveness of moving blocks in managing complex train conflicts caused by train type heterogeneity. Simulation results are used to perform an example railcar transit time estimation illustrating the trade-off between yard connection time benefits and mainline delay disbenefits, and the thresholds at which different operating strategies produce a net transit time benefit. Understanding the mainline delay impacts of shorter trains can assist railroad practitioners formulating long-term capital investment plans, developing future operating strategies, and improving service quality and market share through a short train philosophy.

Automatic train operation in the CBTC system

2020 ◽  
Vol 131 ◽  
pp. 99-118
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Modrzejewska
Keyword(s):  
Control Systems ◽  
Traffic Management ◽  
Rail Transport ◽  
Train Control ◽  
Railway Traffic ◽  
Train Operation ◽  
Alternative Means ◽  
Fully Automatic ◽  
Transport Problems ◽  
Automatic Train Operation

Rail transport adapts to the requirements of the modern agglomerations and provides solutions that ensure greater speed and capacity, while being environmentally friendly. Alternative means of rail transport as well as train control systems are proposed. The basis of innovative, effective, attractive and, above all, safe railway is a traffic automation, which can be implemented to a varying range and degree. Automation of systems of the train control and railway traffic management is an area that is constantly being scientifically researched and developed. The most technologically advanced control systems, in which the human factor is eliminated, are CBTC systems. This article presents the characteristics and components of one of the CBTC class family solutions used in the world, i.e. Bombardier’s product - CITYFLO 650. On the example of the CITYFLO 650 solution, the analysis of the fully automatic train operation was performed. Each of the stages of the fully automatic train operation was included in this paper. The conducted analysis confirms the legitimacy of using the CBTC technology on very demanding city lines. Bidirectional train-to-wayside data communications and determination of train location to a high degree of precision make it that CBTC systems fulfill the criteria set by large, fast-growing cities and a growing population. Poland, as a country currently looking for solutions that would reduce the transport problems of large cities, is considering such innovative proposals for rail traffic.

Negotiating under Political Uncertainty: National Elections and the Dynamics of International Co-operation

2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 315-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mareike Kleine ◽  
Clement Minaudier
Keyword(s):  
International Negotiations ◽  
Informational Efficiency ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Political Uncertainty ◽  
Legislative Bargaining ◽  
National Elections ◽  
Run Up ◽  
Uncertain Outcomes ◽  
Level 2 ◽  
The Eu

This article explores if (and how) national elections affect the chances of concluding an international agreement. Drawing on a literature about the informational efficiency of elections, it examines how political uncertainty in the run-up to an election impacts the dynamics of international negotiations. Using the case of decision making in the European Union (EU), it finds that (1) pending national elections significantly reduce the chances of reaching an agreement at the international level (2) this effect is strongest during close elections with uncertain outcomes and (3) the effect is particularly pronounced in the case of elections in larger member states. The findings highlight the fruitfulness of further research on the dynamics between national and international politics. The article has positive and normative implications for the literature on two-level games, international negotiations and legislative bargaining in the EU.

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