Method & apparatus for an auxiliary train control system

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for a train control installation are disclosed, and are based on the absolute permissive block concept. The train control installation employs a plurality of generic absolute block signal units (ABSU), wherein each signal unit includes means for detecting the crossing of a train passed a discrete point, means for exchanging data with adjacent ABSUs, means for generating and communicating a movement authority limit to a train, means for generating and displaying a signal indication, and means for enforcing a stop aspect. The train control installation can be used in conjunction with a communication based train control (CBTC) system to provide a degraded mode of operation without impacting the availability and the reliability of the CBTC system. Further, the train control installation has a self-healing feature to maintain train service during an ABSU failure.

1 . A train control system that includes a plurality of wayside signal control devices, wherein each wayside signal control device is associated with a track section, wherein each wayside signal control device comprises:
 means for detecting the crossing of a train passed the location of the wayside signal control device,   means for identifying data associated with detected train,   means for exchanging said data associated with detected train with adjacent wayside signal control devices, and   means for generating and communicating a movement authority limit to a train that is approaching its location.   
     
     
         2 . A train control system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said means for detecting the crossing of a train passed the location of the wayside signal control device includes at least one of a transponder reader and an axle counter. 
     
     
         3 . A train control system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said means for exchanging data with adjacent wayside signal control device includes at least one of radio communication module and data communication module. 
     
     
         4 . A train control installation that operates autonomously of a CBTC system to provide at least one degraded mode of operation during CBTC failure, wherein the train control installation employs signal equipment to monitor the movements of trains and wherein a failure in said train control installation has no impact on normal CBTC operation. 
     
     
         5 . A train control installation as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said signal equipment includes at least one of an axle counter and a transponder reader. 
     
     
         6 . A train control system that includes a plurality of wayside signal control devices, wherein each wayside signal control device has an associated track section, wherein a wayside signal control device tracks data of trains passing its location, wherein a wayside signal control device communicates with adjacent wayside signal control devices, and wherein a wayside signal control device controls the movement of an approaching train into its associated section of track. 
     
     
         7 . A train control system that includes a plurality of wayside signal control devices, wherein a signal control device comprises:
 an axle counter that detects the crossing of a train passed the wayside signal control device location and determines the number of axles in that train,   at least one of a radio communication module and a data communication module for exchanging data associated with trains that passed the location of the wayside signal control device with adjacent wayside signal control devices, and   a processor module with a computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program that generates and transmits a movement authority limit to a train approaching the wayside signal control device location.   
     
     
         8 . A train control system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein a wayside signal control device further comprises a transponder reader. 
     
     
         9 . A train control system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein a wayside signal control device further comprises at least one of a wayside signal and an automatic train stop. 
     
     
         10 . A train control system that includes a plurality of wayside signal control devices, wherein a wayside signal control device tracks the number of trains operating in an associated track section, wherein each train is identified by a train signature that includes the number of axles in the train, and wherein a signal control device comprises:
 an axle counter for detecting the number of axles of a train passing its location,   at least one of a radio communication module and a data communication module for exchanging train signature data with adjacent signal control devices,   a processor module with a computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program,   a computer program segment that tracks the number of trains operating within said track section, and   a computer program segment that generates and transmits a movement authority limit to an approaching train.   
     
     
         11 . A train control system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein a wayside signal control device further comprises a transponder reader. 
     
     
         12 . A train control system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein a wayside signal control device further comprises at least one of a wayside signal and an automatic train stop. 
     
     
         13 . A train control system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said movement authority limit is transmitted to the approaching train via a transponder. 
     
     
         14 . A signal control device that controls the movement of an approaching train into an associated absolute permissive block, comprising:
 an axle counter for detecting the crossing of a train passed its location,   at least one of a radio communication module and a data communication module for exchanging data with at least one of a similar signal control device, an interlocking control device and a zone controller,   a processor module with a computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program,   a computer program segment that tracks data associated with trains operating within said absolute permissive block, and   a computer program segment that generates and transmits a movement authority limit to a train approaching its location.   
     
     
         15 . A wayside signal control device as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a transponder reader. 
     
     
         16 . A wayside signal control device as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising at least one of a wayside signal and an automatic train stop. 
     
     
         17 . A signal control device as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the movement authority limit is transmitted to the approaching train via a transponder. 
     
     
         18 . A method for a wayside train control device that controls the movement of a train into an associated track section, wherein the device includes an axle counter to detect the movement of a train past its location, wherein the device includes means for communicating with trains and at least one of adjacent wayside train control devices, a zone controller and an interlocking control device, and wherein the device includes a processor module with a computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program to control the operation of the device, comprising the following steps:
 acquiring data related to trains passing its location,   tracking the number of trains operating in said associated track section,   exchanging said acquired train data with adjacent wayside train control devices,   generating a movement authority limit for a train approaching its location, and   transmitting said movement authority limit to the approaching train.