Page 46 - Traffic infratech magazine

FUTURE MOBILITY

measures the rotation speed to others. From a brief review presented the group is responsible for functions
calculate the position. This system here, it is clear that the HSR system relies such as Rolling Stock Management,
results in some inaccuracy when there heavily on numerous sensors to perform Maintenance management,
is a slipping of the wheel. The bogeys efficiently and it is this reliance which Electrical Power Control, Centralized
are equipped with slip detection sensors offers a plethora of opportunities for Disaster Monitoring, and Yard Work
to counter wheel sliding. When these the Indian tech companies to innovate. management. They coordinate
sensors detect the sliding, they can Computer Aided Centralized effectively with the Operation Controller
automatically adjust the brake force Traffic Control System to issue changes to manage timetables
(for both electromagnetic braking and for regular operations and operations
the pneumatic systems). For calculating The centralized traffic control (CTC) under disturbance. The snapshot of
the Braking Curves, the onboard ATC system is an integral part of any railway the entire system helps the Operation
system then relies on several other system. Though this system controllers Controller to flexibly assign rolling stock
sensors. It determines the braking can control the movement of traffic sets, crew, etc. to a specific train.
performance of the specific train type from a central location through the use Moreover, the operation controller
using pre-loaded data. It also considers of sensors and levers for changing the can also issue guidance to passengers
current conditions of the switches using position of switches. For systems without for their connecting trains, etc. helping
the information from track sensors. Automatic braking, wrong commands passengers maneuver easily when the
Further, it also takes into considerations by the traffic controller could result service is disturbed (thus improving their
of the speed limits imposed by curves, in accidents, but with the automatic satisfaction). One key feature of this
etc. The system uses data of the track braking system, the CTC is not a critical system is its integration with Transport
conditions which is pre-loaded into safety component. Nonetheless, it is Planning. The transport planning
its onboard unit. Further, the system essential for maintaining the reliability department plans for long (5-10 years)-
relies on several other sensors such of the services. and medium-term (Yearly) traffic
as trackside sensors monitoring the However, in the Japanese system, demand. The information available
weather conditions as well as a network the system does a lot more than just (Real-Time) from this centralized system
of Earthquake early warning sensors. traffic control. An overview of the full helps the planning department ensure
Collectively all of the above-described functionality of the Computer Aided the timely procurement of the supply
set of sensors are responsible for the Centralized Traffic control system is for various assets as well as Human
smooth functioning of the ATC system shown in Figure 2. Under this system, Resources either through maintenance
and thus for the braking. All the above a group of controllers in a centralized or through new purchase. It is this
systems must work in an integrated location can manage the entire railway integration with the demand planning
manner avoiding interference from operations. Each of the controllers in that ensures that there is sufficient
focus on asset maintenance and not
Figure 1 Overview of the ATC system (Source : 2)
just on service increase. Thus, the need
for the hour for the Indian system is
to develop such large-scale centralized
data management systems which
ensure smooth information flow across
departments, resulting in efficiency in
decision making.
Condition Based
Maintenance

As discussed previously, the HSR
system requires an intensive focus
on maintenance. The high-capacity
utilization of the infrastructure
generates enormous pressure on assets,
and if not maintained, it will quickly lead
to a large number of service failures
and safety issues. In Japan, a system
of night-maintenance is implemented.

46 June-July ’19 / TrafficInfraTech www.trafficinfratech-com-500653.hostingersite.com