Train Control Method and System

• US 20100063656A1
• Filed: 09/09/2008
• Published: 03/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Wabtec Corporation (Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Knott, Jeffrey G., Grimm, Ann K., Graham, Steve R., Moore, James H., Wilson, M. Frank, Kernwein, Jeffrey D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,478,463 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/19
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0072 On-board train data handling
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 23/18 specially adapted for changing lengths of track sections in dependence upon speed and traffic density
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 25/025 Absolute localisation, e.g. providing geodetic coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 3/221 using track circuits

Abstract

A train control system for controlling trains traveling in a track network including tracks with signals associated therewith. The system includes an on-board track database, a positioning system and an on-board control system. The on-board control system receives position data and automatically brakes the train prior to encountering an upcoming signal based upon specified data points. The train is not automatically braked if certain conditions are met. A method for controlling a train traveling in a track network is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A train control system for controlling at least one train travelling in a track network comprising at least one track having at least one signal associated with a portion of the at least one track, the system comprising:

an onboard track database comprising at least one of the following;

train data, track network data, track data, signal data;

a positioning system configured to determine position data directed to a position of the at least one train within the track network; and

an onboard control system configured to;

(i) receive position data from the positioning system and signal data from the track database; and

(ii) based upon at least one of the following;

train data, track network data, track data, position data, signal data, train control data, authorization data and signal aspect data, automatically brake the train prior to encountering a next, upcoming signal, unless;

(a) signal aspect data indicates that it is safe to proceed;

(b) specified authorization data is received;

or (c) specified train control data is received.

2. The train control system of claim 1, wherein the at least one signal is at least one of the following:

a cab signal, a wayside signal, a permissive signal, an absolute signal, a monitored signal, an unmonitored signal, a signal associated with a control point.

3. The train control system of claim 1, wherein the onboard control system is further configured to:

receive or generate cab signal aspect data; and

set signal aspect data for an upcoming wayside signal to “

stop”

or “

stop and proceed”

.

4. The train control system of claim 3, wherein, based upon the receipt of specified authorization data from an operator of the train, the train is not automatically braked.

5. The train control system of claim 4, further comprising a visual display device in communication with the onboard control system, wherein the specified authorization data is in the form of a data input recognizable by the onboard control system.

6. The train control system of claim 5, wherein the data input is provided to the onboard control system through a selectable portion presented to the operator on the visual display device.

7. The train control system of claim 3, wherein, based upon train control data indicating that the train has been stopped within a predetermined distance from the upcoming signal, the train is not automatically braked.

8. The train control system of claim 7, wherein, further based upon train control data indicating that the train is operating at a specified speed within a predetermined distance from the upcoming signal, the train is not automatically braked.

9. The train control system of claim 3, wherein, based upon train control data indicating that the train is operating at a specified speed within a predetermined distance from the upcoming signal, the train is not automatically braked.

10. The train control system of claim 1, wherein the onboard control system is further configured to monitor the signal aspect data for an upcoming wayside signal.

11. The train control system of claim 10, wherein, if the signal aspect data indicates a “

stop”

or the signal aspect data is unknown, the train is automatically braked.

12. The train control system of claim 11, wherein the train is permitted to proceed only upon receipt of specified authorization data from an operator of the train or a central dispatch system.

13. The train control system of claim 10, wherein, based upon the receipt of specified authorization data from an operator of the train, the train is not automatically braked.

14. The train control system of claim 13, further comprising a visual display device in communication with the onboard control system, wherein the specified authorization data is in the form of a data input recognizable by the onboard control system.

15. The train control system of claim 14, wherein the data input is provided to the onboard control system through a selectable portion presented to the operator on the visual display device.

16. The train control system of claim 10, wherein, based upon train control data indicating that the train has been stopped within a predetermined distance from the upcoming signal, the train is not automatically braked.

17. The train control system of claim 16, wherein, further based upon train control data indicating that the train is operating at a specified speed within a predetermined distance from the upcoming signal, the train is not automatically braked.

18. The train control system of claim 10, wherein, based upon train control data indicating that the train is operating at a specified speed within a predetermined distance from the upcoming signal, the train is not automatically braked.

19. The train control system of claim 1, further comprising a visual display device in communication with the onboard control system, wherein the visual display device is configured to display a prompt to an operator of the train.

20. The train control system of claim 19, wherein the displayed prompt includes a query requesting whether the operator is permitted to pass the upcoming signal without stopping the train.

21. The train control system of claim 20, wherein prior to displaying the prompt, the onboard control system is further configured to receive specified train control data indicating at least one of the following:

data indicating that the train has been stopped within a predetermined distance from the upcoming signal;

data indicating that the train is operating at a specified speed within a predetermined distance from the upcoming signal;

data indicating that authorization to proceed has been obtained or any combination thereof.

22. The train control system of claim 19, wherein the onboard control system is configured to determine authorization data based upon an operator'"'"'s interaction with the displayed prompt.

23. A method for controlling at least one train travelling in a track network comprising at least one track having at least one signal associated with a portion of the at least one track, the method comprising:

determining at least one of the following;

train data, track network data, track data, signal data;

determining position data directed to a position of the at least one train within the track network; and

based upon at least one of the following;

train data, track network data, track data, position data, signal data, train control data, authorization data and signal aspect data, automatically braking the train prior to encountering a next, upcoming signal, unless;

(a) signal aspect data indicates that it is safe to proceed;

(b) specified authorization data is received;

or (c) specified train control data is received.

24. A train control system for predictively enforcing a stop for at least one train travelling in a track network having at least one track with at least one signal associated with a portion of the at least one track, the system comprising an onboard control system configured to:

(i) receive train position data and signal data; and

(ii) based upon at least one of the following;

train data, track network data, track data, position data, signal data, train control data, authorization data and signal aspect data, automatically stop the train prior to encountering a next, upcoming signal, unless;

(a) signal aspect data indicates that it is safe to proceed;

(b) specified authorization data is received;

or (c) specified train control data is received.