Train control system and carborne controller including communication based train control (cbtc)

Abstract

A train control system includes a carborne controller ( 100 ) installed in a powering unit coupled to a train, the carborne controller ( 100 ) including a positioning system interface ( 110 ), a wireless receiver ( 120 ), and a control module ( 130 ) for performing a positive train control (PTC) mode, communication-based train control (CBTC) wayside equipment ( 200 ) comprising a zone controller ( 210 ), wherein the CBTC wayside equipment ( 200 ) and the carborne controller ( 100 ) are configured to communicate via a wireless communication link, and wherein the control module ( 130 ), through operation of at least one processor ( 140 ), is configured to localize the powering unit utilizing the positioning system interface ( 110 ), receive physical signal aspects and virtual PTC signal aspects from the CBTC wayside equipment ( 200 ), and enforce an automatic positive train stop (PTS) at a restrictive physical signal ( 30 ) or virtual PTC signal located ahead of the train.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A carborne controller to be installed in a powering unit coupled to a train, the carborne controller comprising:
 a positioning system interface,   a wireless receiver configured to receive communication based train control (CBTC) radio messages including physical signal aspects and virtual positive train control (PTC) signal aspects,   a control module storing a PTC mode, wherein the control module, through operation of at least one processor, is configured to
 localize the powering unit utilizing the positioning system interface, 
 receive the physical signal aspects and the virtual PTC signal aspects via the wireless receiver, and 
 enforce an automatic positive train stop (PTS) at a restrictive physical signal or a restrictive virtual PTC signal located ahead of the train. 
   
     
     
         22 . The carborne controller of  claim 21 ,
 wherein the control module is configured to activate the PTC mode in response to a localized front-end of the train.   
     
     
         23 . The carborne controller of  claim 21 ,
 wherein the control module in the PTC mode is configured to enforce permanent speed restrictions.   
     
     
         24 . The carborne controller of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 a database comprising the permanent speed restrictions, positions of signals and positions of switches, wherein the control module is configured to enforce the permanent speed restrictions as indicated in the database.   
     
     
         25 . The carborne controller of  claim 21 ,
 wherein the control module in the PTC mode is configured to enforce temporary speed restrictions (TSR).   
     
     
         26 . The carborne controller of  claim 25 ,
 wherein the control module in the PTC mode is configured to receive the temporary speed restrictions communicated by a zone controller of wayside communication based train control (CBTC) equipment.   
     
     
         27 . The carborne controller of  claim 21 ,
 wherein the control module in the PTC mode is configured to allow the train to proceed beyond the physical signal when the physical signal indicates to proceed under PTC control.   
     
     
         28 . The carborne controller of  claim 21 ,
 wherein the control module in the PTC mode is configured to automatically enforce PTS at a first restrictive virtual PTC signal ahead of the train.   
     
     
         29 . The carborne controller of  claim 21 ,
 wherein the control module in the PTC mode is configured to automatically enforce a PTS at a first restrictive physical signal ahead of the train.   
     
     
         30 . A train control system comprising:
 a carborne controller installed in a powering unit coupled to a train, the carborne controller comprising a positioning system interface, a wireless receiver, and a control module for performing a positive train control (PTC) mode,   communication-based train control (CBTC) wayside equipment comprising a zone controller,   wherein the CBTC wayside equipment and the carborne controller are configured to communicate via a wireless communication link, and   wherein the control module, through operation of at least one processor, is configured to
 localize the powering unit utilizing the positioning system interface, 
 receive physical signal aspects and virtual PTC signal aspects from the CBTC wayside equipment, and 
 enforce an automatic positive train stop (PTS) at a restrictive physical signal or virtual PTC signal located ahead of the train. 
   
     
     
         31 . The train control system of  claim 30 ,
 wherein the control module in PTC mode is configured to enforce permanent speed restrictions.   
     
     
         32 . The train control system of  claim 30 ,
 wherein the control module in PTC mode is configured to enforce temporary speed restrictions underneath the train.   
     
     
         33 . Train control system of  claim 32 ,
 wherein the zone controller of the wayside CBTC equipment is configured to communicate the temporary speed restrictions to the carborne controller.   
     
     
         34 . The train control system of  claim 30 ,
 wherein the wireless communication link comprises a radio link.   
     
     
         35 . The train control system of  claim 30 ,
 wherein the control module is configured to activate the PTC mode in response to a localized locomotive.   
     
     
         36 . The train control system of  claim 30 ,
 wherein the zone controller is configured to communicate the physical signal aspects, virtual PTC signal aspects, switch positions and work zones to the control module.   
     
     
         37 . The train control system of  claim 30 ,
 wherein the carborne controller further comprises a database comprising permanent speed restrictions, positions of physical signals, positions of virtual PTC signals and positions of switches, and wherein the control module in the PTC mode is configured to enforce the permanent speed restrictions as indicated in the database.   
     
     
         38 . The train control system of  claim 30 ,
 wherein the control module in the PTC mode is configured to automatically enforce a PTS at a first restrictive virtual PTC signal aspect ahead of the train.   
     
     
         39 . The train control system of  claim 30 ,
 wherein the control module in the PTC mode is configured to automatically enforce a PTS at a first restrictive physical signal aspect ahead of the train.   
     
     
         40 . The train control system of  claim 30 ,
 wherein the train is a work train equipped with the carborne controller.