ITS Making Metros Smarter

Train Management System

Another important aspect of Intelligent Rail Systems is Train Management System (TMS) which is being used in rail services as well as metro rail services in India such as Kolkata metro and the suburban train services in Mumbai.

The TMS has a network of data loggers which automatically charts the positions of trains. The TMS will help to note the exact time of arrival and departure of trains at the stations. This is made possible using a track circuit, a sensor, installed on the railway tracks. This information is then passed on to the signallers. Each station on the Kolkata metro has a video camera installed under this system.

In CTBT, the Wayside ATO system controls the destination and regulation targets of each train and other data such as dwell or stop time in stations, skip/hold station commands etc.

The data-loggers can get the panoramic view of all the 23 platforms and real-time line diagram display of train movement of the entire route on a 67-inch Video Wall System. In case of congestion on a route, the authorities can monitor the situation and provide remedial measures, thus avoiding undue delays of the following trains.

Automatic Fare Collection

Along with train control and train management, Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) is another area where intelligent systems have been widely used. The AFC is a key interface between a transit agency and its passengers. It directly affects the way in which passengers experience and perceive the transit agency and its services. The system should comply with applicable standards and allow subsequent addition of functionality and modification of software or hardware.

Distance to go?The Siemens Solution

The demand for public mass-transit transportation services is growing continuously. However, passenger capacity can seldom be expanded as generously as would actually be necessary. To continue to ensure the smooth running of mobility systems, on-track effectiveness and efficiency must be improved. The solution here is automation. With automation, the capacity of a metro line can be increased by up to 50 percent. Automated metro systems make it possible to realize short headway times of 80 to 90 seconds. Optimized acceleration, traction and breaking processes consume less energy. Depending on the degree of automation, power consumption can be reduced by up to 30% while simultaneously increasing train punctuality. On the basis of line data, the system calculates exactly how and at which point a train has to be accelerated and braked for it to arrive at the next station on time.

Siemens has offered its expertise in Delhi, Mumbai and Gurgaon. It is also a part of the Chennai Metro and the new expansion project of Kolkata Metro. For Delhi Metro, Siemens has offered signalling solution for about 88km of metro lines ? Delhi Line 3 and the Delhi Airport Metro Project. The basic operational principal of signalling system can be understood as follows.

Track Vacancy detection ? Product name: FTGS

This system uses coded track circuits to determine whether a track section is occupied or not. This data is communicated to the interlocking system.

Interlocking System ? Product name: SICAS ECC

Siemens Computer Aided Signalling and Element Control Computer takes data from all track vacancy detection units and forms a complete picture of the train positions throughout the system and uses safety logics to send a given train in a particular direction / route. The system is responsible for the signals (red, green, yellow) to convey information to the driver.

Automatic Train Protection System ? Product name: LBZ 700

The Siemens LBZ systems is used on about 1000kms around the various metro lines in world. This system is composed of 2 layers viz. the Wayside ATP and the Onboard ATP.

? Automatic Train Protection System obtains safety information from the interlocking and decides the point on the track line up to which a train can travel while adhering to safety guidelines and communicates to the train through ?air gap? telegrams ? features of Siemens FTGS for transmitting data to the train from wayside systems to specially designed train antennas.

? The Onboard ATP receives information from the Wayside ATP, calculates in real-time, the speed curve which the train must adhere to. The Onboard ATP which independently monitors train speed will automatically send a warning to the driver and apply emergency brake in case of violation of defined safety norms.