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EP3225500B1 - Installation for traffic monitoring in a train network and associated radio encoder - Google Patents

Installation for traffic monitoring in a train network and associated radio encoder Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3225500B1
EP3225500B1 EP17164235.8A EP17164235A EP3225500B1 EP 3225500 B1 EP3225500 B1 EP 3225500B1 EP 17164235 A EP17164235 A EP 17164235A EP 3225500 B1 EP3225500 B1 EP 3225500B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vehicle
control
installation
control installation
principle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP17164235.8A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3225500A1 (en
Inventor
Javier BALLESTEROS
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Alstom Holdings SA
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Alstom Holdings SA
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Publication of EP3225500A1 publication Critical patent/EP3225500A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3225500B1 publication Critical patent/EP3225500B1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
    • B61L27/00—Central railway traffic control systems; Trackside control; Communication systems specially adapted therefor
    • B61L27/04—Automatic systems, e.g. controlled by train; Change-over to manual control
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
    • B61L27/00—Central railway traffic control systems; Trackside control; Communication systems specially adapted therefor
    • B61L27/30—Trackside multiple control systems, e.g. switch-over between different systems
    • B61L27/37—Migration, e.g. parallel installations running simultaneously
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
    • B61L15/00—Indicators provided on the vehicle or train for signalling purposes
    • B61L15/0058—On-board optimisation of vehicle or vehicle train operation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
    • B61L15/00—Indicators provided on the vehicle or train for signalling purposes
    • B61L15/0062—On-board target speed calculation or supervision
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
    • B61L3/00—Devices along the route for controlling devices on the vehicle or train, e.g. to release brake or to operate a warning signal
    • B61L3/02—Devices along the route for controlling devices on the vehicle or train, e.g. to release brake or to operate a warning signal at selected places along the route, e.g. intermittent control simultaneous mechanical and electrical control
    • B61L3/08—Devices along the route for controlling devices on the vehicle or train, e.g. to release brake or to operate a warning signal at selected places along the route, e.g. intermittent control simultaneous mechanical and electrical control controlling electrically
    • B61L3/12—Devices along the route for controlling devices on the vehicle or train, e.g. to release brake or to operate a warning signal at selected places along the route, e.g. intermittent control simultaneous mechanical and electrical control controlling electrically using magnetic or electrostatic induction; using radio waves
    • B61L3/121—Devices along the route for controlling devices on the vehicle or train, e.g. to release brake or to operate a warning signal at selected places along the route, e.g. intermittent control simultaneous mechanical and electrical control controlling electrically using magnetic or electrostatic induction; using radio waves using magnetic induction
    • B61L2003/123—French standard for inductive train protection, called "Contrôle de vitesse par balises" [KVB]
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
    • B61L27/00—Central railway traffic control systems; Trackside control; Communication systems specially adapted therefor
    • B61L27/20—Trackside control of safe travel of vehicle or train, e.g. braking curve calculation
    • B61L2027/204—Trackside control of safe travel of vehicle or train, e.g. braking curve calculation using Communication-based Train Control [CBTC]
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
    • B61L21/00—Station blocking between signal boxes in one yard
    • B61L21/10—Arrangements for trains which are closely following one another
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
    • B61L25/00—Recording or indicating positions or identities of vehicles or trains or setting of track apparatus
    • B61L25/02—Indicating or recording positions or identities of vehicles or trains
    • B61L25/021—Measuring and recording of train speed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
    • B61L25/00—Recording or indicating positions or identities of vehicles or trains or setting of track apparatus
    • B61L25/02—Indicating or recording positions or identities of vehicles or trains
    • B61L25/025—Absolute localisation, e.g. providing geodetic coordinates
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
    • B61L25/00—Recording or indicating positions or identities of vehicles or trains or setting of track apparatus
    • B61L25/02—Indicating or recording positions or identities of vehicles or trains
    • B61L25/026—Relative localisation, e.g. using odometer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
    • B61L25/00—Recording or indicating positions or identities of vehicles or trains or setting of track apparatus
    • B61L25/02—Indicating or recording positions or identities of vehicles or trains
    • B61L25/04—Indicating or recording train identities
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
    • B61L25/00—Recording or indicating positions or identities of vehicles or trains or setting of track apparatus
    • B61L25/06—Indicating or recording the setting of track apparatus, e.g. of points, of signals

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an installation for controlling the circulation of railway vehicles on a railway network.
  • FIG. 1 schematically represents such a conventional control installation 12 for the circulation of trains on a railway network 10.
  • This figure represents the route interlocking system without the speed control part. This latter part is not described in this document.
  • the railway network 10 comprises 16 tracks.
  • the 16 tracks are divided into fixed sections, called blocks, such as block 14.
  • the conventional installation 12 comprises an automatic train supervision system, known as the ATS system, on the ground, centrally, a plurality of interlocking systems, known as IXL systems, on the ground, distributed along the railway network, and trackside equipment.
  • ATS system automatic train supervision system
  • IXL systems interlocking systems
  • a plurality of track 20 equipment is installed near tracks 16.
  • the track equipment 20 includes, for example, points 22, light signals 24, vehicle stopping devices 26, isolation devices 28 for the block power supply, and vehicle presence detectors 38 for determining the occupied or unoccupied state of this block. Other examples of track equipment could be given.
  • the equipment on track 20 is actuated by engagement relays 30, suitable for changing the engagement state of a light 24.
  • Each IXL system is associated with a group of equipment on track 20, via at least one interlocking relay 30.
  • an IXL system 34 is installed near the equipment on track 20 associated with section 14, and is connected to the interlocking relays 30 for actuating these equipment on track 20 to control their interlocking.
  • the IXL system applies interlocking signals to the relay 30.
  • the classic 12 control installation includes an ATS 32 system.
  • the ATS system which, on the one hand, has a general view of the railway network and is informed at all times of the blocks occupied by vehicles and which, on the other hand, knows the mission assigned to each vehicle, that is to say the route that each train must follow, reserves the route and in particular the canton(s) that a train must take.
  • the ATS system generates suitable control signals to the IXL system associated with this route, i.e. this or these blocks.
  • the ATS system also generates suitable control signals to the autopilot system, not shown in the figure 1 .
  • the IXL system generates, based on the received engagement signals, a plurality of engagement signals to the relay 30.
  • Relay 30 generates, depending on the engagement signals received, actuation signals to place the various track equipment in a suitable state so that the vehicle in question can continue its route using this or these blocks.
  • the driver of the vehicle When approaching this block, as the railway system does not have a speed control system, the driver of the vehicle relies on the signalling information provided by the track equipment, in particular the traffic lights, to determine that he has authorisation to move on this block, the track equipment being in an interlocking state allowing him to continue his mission.
  • a CBTC installation includes a part on board trains and a part on the ground.
  • the on-board part also known as the Carborne Controller, is referred to as the ATC system.
  • the ground part includes an ATS system, an IXL system and an ATC ground system.
  • computers are connected to an on-board radio communication unit, capable of establishing a radio communication link with base stations, distributed along the tracks, to establish a connection with the ground ATC system.
  • the on-board ATC system determines, at all times, the operating parameters of the vehicle and communicates with the ground ATC system to enable the vehicle to safely carry out the mission assigned to it.
  • the ATC system thus ensures, on the one hand, coverage of the functional needs of the vehicle, i.e. for example the stations to be served, and, on the other hand, control of the vehicle at safety points provided along the track, i.e., for example, checking that the vehicle is not traveling at a speed greater than a threshold speed associated with the safety point at the moment the vehicle crosses this safety point.
  • the ATS system and the IXL system are generally centralized and implemented in an operational center.
  • the ground ATC system includes, in particular, a ZC zone controller, acronym for “Zone Controller” in English, responsible for monitoring the presence of vehicles in associated zones of the network.
  • ZC zone controller acronym for “Zone Controller” in English, responsible for monitoring the presence of vehicles in associated zones of the network.
  • vehicle circulation implements a second principle of residual distance, subsequently designated by its English equivalent of “distance to go”.
  • the "distance to go” principle consists of periodically updating an end point to which a vehicle can extend its movement authorization. This end point is determined by the on-board ATC based on the information it receives from the ground, in particular from the ground ATC. From this end point, the on-board ATC calculates an optimized speed curve between its current position and the end point. The on-board ATC then automatically controls the movement of the vehicle by taking this optimized speed curve as a setpoint.
  • CBTC vehicles i.e. equipped with an on-board ATC system, when renewing their fleet.
  • the document US 2010/299007 A1 relates to an on-board ATC adapted to read and transform into movement authorization, information relating to the speed limit emitted by the transponders of a CS control installation, for "cab signaling".
  • transponders installed along the track transmit, as the train passes, information relating to the speed limit on the portion of track on which the train is traveling.
  • the on-board computer recovers this information and develops a speed instruction which it presents to the driver.
  • the CS control installation of the document US 2010/299007 A1 therefore includes a distributed ATS, IXL, but also transponders. It allows the circulation of CS trains, but also of CBTC trains, whose on-board ATC is then modified to be able to receive and use the speed limit information.
  • the document US 2004/049327A1 discloses a method that extends ATC signaling to areas where signaling is currently nonexistent or limited. The method allows the radio-based automatic train control system to seamlessly interface with existing on-board ATC equipment.
  • the invention relates to a traffic control installation according to claim 1.
  • the installation also has the characteristics of claims 2 to 8.
  • FIG. 2 schematically represents a traffic control installation 42 on a railway network 40.
  • the 40 rail network of the figure 2 has a structure identical to that of the railway network 10 of the figure 1 . To facilitate understanding, elements similar to those described in reference to the figure 1 are not described again and the same references are used.
  • the control installation 42 takes up the architecture of a classic control installation such as installation 12 of the figure 1 .
  • the control installation 42 augments an existing conventional installation with additional features enabling the circulation of CBTC trains.
  • the control installation 42 thus comprises an ATS system 32 on the ground, in central, a plurality of IXL systems 34 distributed along the railway network 40, a plurality of relays 30 and track equipment 20.
  • the IXL 34 systems are capable of managing the engagement state of the equipment on track 20 by applying engagement signals, which are Boolean type electrical signals, to the corresponding engagement relays 30.
  • the 40 rail network of the figure 2 allows the circulation of 18 vehicles driven according to the first principle, namely according to the block-to-block principle.
  • installation 42 allows the circulation of a latest-generation CBTC 46 train on the 40 rail network according to the “distance to go” principle.
  • the railway network 40 of the figure 2 comprises, in addition to the various track equipment 20, positioning beacons 44 distributed along the tracks 16.
  • Each positioning beacon 44 is associated with a unique identifier and is capable of generating a positioning signal representative of its identifier.
  • the positioning beacons 44 are, for example, RFID devices, from the English “radio frequency identification”, capable of emitting a short-range signal under the effect of a current induced by a receiving antenna equipping the train.
  • the CBTC 46 train includes an on-board ATC system 48.
  • the on-board ATC system 48 comprises at least one antenna 50, a memory, and computers, and is adapted to exchange radiocommunication messages by means of the antenna 50.
  • the memory stores a set of software instructions, the computers being capable of executing at least part of the software instructions.
  • the memory also includes a database.
  • the database contains information specific to tracks 16, such as the position of the different slopes as well as their respective inclination, the arrangement of the points, etc. This information recorded on board is also called “invariants" of the track.
  • the database contains, for each beacon of position 44, its position on the tracks 16.
  • the installation 42 comprises at least one interface system 52 capable of emulating an environment allowing the on-board ATC system 48 to control the movement of the train 46 according to the “distance to go” principle while it is running on a railway infrastructure implementing traffic control according to the “block to block” principle.
  • each interface system 52 is associated with an IXL system 34.
  • each station 14 comprises an IXL system 34 associated with an interface system 52.
  • only some stations 14 comprise an interface system 52 associated with an IXL system 34.
  • an interface system 52 is associated with at least two IXL systems 34.
  • all the interface systems 52 are identical and, in the following, only one interface system 52 is described.
  • the interface system 52 includes a radio encoder 56, a communication network 54 and a set of base stations 58.
  • the communication network 54 is connected on the one hand to the radio encoder 56 and on the other hand to the set of base stations 58. It comprises for example a switch and optical links.
  • the communication network 54 ensures the exchange of messages between the radio encoder 56 and the base stations 58, and vice versa, preferably by implementing an Ethernet communication protocol, preferably provided with a security layer.
  • the 56 radio encoder is located near the IXL 34 system with which it is associated.
  • the radio encoder 56 is connected to the output to the IXL system 34 and to the interlock relays 30 of the equipment at channel 20 that this IXL system 34 controls.
  • the radio encoder 56 is connected to the communication network 54.
  • the radio encoder 56 receives interlocking signals transmitted by the IXL system 34 to the relay 30 and the current interlocking status signals of the track equipment transmitted by the relay 30 (such as for example the interlocking states of the lights 24, the points 22, and the occupancy states of the blocks). These signals are for example in a Boolean format.
  • the radio encoder 56 generates from this input information an output message in a suitable format and transmits it, via the communication network 54, to the ATC on board 48 of the train 46.
  • the generated message is transmitted along the communication network 54.
  • the base stations 58 are distributed along the tracks 16. Each base station 58 is connected to the network 54 and is capable of establishing a temporary radiocommunication link with the on-board ATC system 48 of the train 46.
  • each base station 58 is capable of transmitting to the on-board ATC system 48, along the temporary link, the message generated by the radio encoder 56.
  • the on-board ATC system 48 is capable of estimating in real time the position of the vehicle 46 from the detection of the positioning signals emitted by the positioning beacons 44.
  • the vehicle 46 comprises a coupling device capable of detecting the presence of a position beacon 44 and of receiving the identifier of said beacon.
  • the vehicle 46 comprises odometers positioned at the wheels of said vehicle 46 and capable of delivering information on the slippage of said wheels.
  • the on-board ATC system 48 is capable of estimating the position of the vehicle from the last detection of a position beacon 44, the instantaneous speed of the vehicle 46 and the information delivered by the odometers.
  • the on-board ATC system 48 implements control of the vehicle 46 according to the second principle, namely according to the “distance to go” principle, based on the message(s) received from the encoder 56 and the data contained in its database.
  • the on-board ATC system database includes a description by canton of the railway network 40.
  • the on-board ATC system 48 thus calculates an end point of a movement authorization from the information contained in the message received. This end point actually corresponds to the end of a block.
  • the on-board ATC system 48 calculates an optimized speed profile enabling the vehicle 46 to reach the target point. This means, for example, a speed profile minimizing the energy requirements of the vehicle 46.
  • the ATC system then steers the vehicle according to the optimized speed profile.
  • steering the vehicle is meant the generation of a set of commands transmitted to elements of the vehicle, such as a braking device or a motorization device.
  • a vehicle suitable for running on a railway network equipped with a conventional control installation implementing the first principle from block to block is also suitable for running on the railway network 40 of the figure 2 equipped with a 42 control installation which retains the first principle of “canton to canton” as the operating principle.
  • a latest generation vehicle 46 that is to say equipped with an on-board ATC system 48 communicating by radio and capable of piloting the vehicle 46 according to the “distance to go” principle, traveling on a railway network 40 equipped with the control installation 42 according to the invention.
  • the vehicle 46 While traveling along the tracks 16, the vehicle 46 passes close to a position beacon 44. Under the effect of an induced current, the positioning beacon 44 generates an electromagnetic field representative of the identifier of said beacon 44.
  • the coupling device of the vehicle 46 captures the electromagnetic field and allows the on-board ATC to deduce the instantaneous position of the train 46. Then, while traveling along the tracks 16 to a next beacon, the on-board ATC system 48 estimates the position of the train in real time from odometric data.
  • the on-board ATC system 48 receives a message transmitted by the radio encoder 56, the message indicating, among other things, the occupation and interlocking status of the network blocks 40.
  • the on-board ATC system 48 determines the end point of a movement authorization extending for example over five consecutive cantons.
  • the ATC system reads the track-specific information associated with the next five blocks from the database and determines a speed curve.
  • the on-board ATC system 48 controls the train according to the optimized speed curve and its current position.
  • the present invention firstly has the advantage of being able to be implemented within any railway network 10 equipped with a conventional control installation 12, such as that described with reference to the figure 1 .
  • the implementation is, moreover, simple since it only requires the installation of at least one radio encoder 56, a radiocommunication infrastructure and positioning beacons 44.
  • the installation makes it possible to control traffic on the railway network both for vehicles 18 compatible with a conventional control installation 12 operating on the "block to block” principle and for latest generation vehicles 46 operating on the "distance to go” principle.
  • the invention constitutes a first step in a process of upgrading the railway network control installation 40 to deploy a complete CBTC installation to replace a conventional installation.
  • a second upgrade step consists, for example, in replacing the IXL systems distributed along the tracks with a centralised IXL system, connected to the track equipment via a suitable long-distance information network.
  • a third step then consists of deploying a ground ATC, namely in particular a ZC zone controller.
  • the interface system constitutes a component found in the various intermediate installations leading to a complete CBTC installation.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Train Traffic Observation, Control, And Security (AREA)
  • Electric Propulsion And Braking For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne une installation de contrôle de la circulation des véhicules ferroviaires sur un réseau ferroviaire.The present invention relates to an installation for controlling the circulation of railway vehicles on a railway network.

Historiquement, le contrôle automatique de la circulation des trains est mis en oeuvre par une installation de contrôle, dite classique dans ce qui suit, autorisant le mouvement d'un train selon un principe du type « canton à canton ».Historically, automatic train traffic control is implemented by a control installation, referred to as classic in what follows, authorizing the movement of a train according to a "block to block" type principle.

La figure 1 représente schématiquement une telle installation de contrôle classique 12 de la circulation des trains sur un réseau ferroviaire 10. Cette figure représente le système d'enclenchement d'itinéraires sans la partie de contrôle de vitesses. Cette dernière partie n'est pas décrite dans ce document.There figure 1 schematically represents such a conventional control installation 12 for the circulation of trains on a railway network 10. This figure represents the route interlocking system without the speed control part. This latter part is not described in this document.

Le réseau ferroviaire 10 comprend des voies 16. Les voies 16 sont divisées en tronçons fixes, appelés cantons, tels que le canton 14.The railway network 10 comprises 16 tracks. The 16 tracks are divided into fixed sections, called blocks, such as block 14.

L'installation classique 12 comprend un système de supervision automatique des trains, dit système ATS, au sol, en central, une pluralité de systèmes d'enclenchement, dits systèmes IXL, au sol, répartis le long du réseau ferroviaire, et des équipements à la voie.The conventional installation 12 comprises an automatic train supervision system, known as the ATS system, on the ground, centrally, a plurality of interlocking systems, known as IXL systems, on the ground, distributed along the railway network, and trackside equipment.

Une pluralité d'équipements à la voie 20 sont installés à proximité des voies 16.A plurality of track 20 equipment is installed near tracks 16.

Les équipements à la voie 20 comprennent par exemple des aiguillages 22, des feux lumineux 24, des dispositifs d'arrêt de véhicules 26, des dispositifs d'isolement 28 de l'alimentation électrique de canton, et des détecteurs de présence de véhicule 38 pour déterminer l'état occupé ou non-occupé de ce canton. D'autres exemples d'équipements à la voie pourraient être donnés.The track equipment 20 includes, for example, points 22, light signals 24, vehicle stopping devices 26, isolation devices 28 for the block power supply, and vehicle presence detectors 38 for determining the occupied or unoccupied state of this block. Other examples of track equipment could be given.

Les équipements à la voie 20 sont actionnés par des relais d'enclenchement 30, propres à changer l'état d'enclenchement d'un feu lumineux 24.The equipment on track 20 is actuated by engagement relays 30, suitable for changing the engagement state of a light 24.

Chaque système IXL est associé à un groupe d'équipements à la voie 20, via au moins un relais d'enclenchement 30. Par exemple, un système IXL 34 est implanté à proximité des équipements à la voie 20 associés au canton 14, et est relié aux relais d'enclenchement 30 d'actionnement de ces équipements à la voie 20 pour en commander l'enclenchement. Le système IXL applique des signaux d'enclenchement au relais 30.Each IXL system is associated with a group of equipment on track 20, via at least one interlocking relay 30. For example, an IXL system 34 is installed near the equipment on track 20 associated with section 14, and is connected to the interlocking relays 30 for actuating these equipment on track 20 to control their interlocking. The IXL system applies interlocking signals to the relay 30.

L'installation de contrôle classique 12 comprend un système ATS 32.The classic 12 control installation includes an ATS 32 system.

Pour le mouvement du véhicule 18, le système ATS, qui, d'une part, possède une vue générale du réseau ferroviaire et est informé à chaque instant des cantons occupés par des véhicules et qui, d'autre part, connait la mission attribuée à chaque véhicule, c'est-à-dire la route que doit suivre chaque train, réserve la route et notamment le ou les cantons que doit emprunter un train.For the movement of vehicle 18, the ATS system, which, on the one hand, has a general view of the railway network and is informed at all times of the blocks occupied by vehicles and which, on the other hand, knows the mission assigned to each vehicle, that is to say the route that each train must follow, reserves the route and in particular the canton(s) that a train must take.

Le système ATS génère des signaux de commande adaptés vers le système IXL associé à cette route, c'est-à-dire à ce ou ces cantons. Le système ATS génère aussi des signaux de commande adaptés vers le système de pilotage automatique, non représenté sur la figure 1.The ATS system generates suitable control signals to the IXL system associated with this route, i.e. this or these blocks. The ATS system also generates suitable control signals to the autopilot system, not shown in the figure 1 .

Le système IXL génère, en fonction des signaux d'enclenchement reçus, une pluralité de signaux d'enclenchement vers le relais 30.The IXL system generates, based on the received engagement signals, a plurality of engagement signals to the relay 30.

Le relais 30 génère, en fonction des signaux d'enclenchement reçu, des signaux d'actionnement pour placer les différents équipements à la voie dans un état adapté pour que le véhicule considéré puisse poursuivre sa route en empruntant ce ou ces cantons.Relay 30 generates, depending on the engagement signals received, actuation signals to place the various track equipment in a suitable state so that the vehicle in question can continue its route using this or these blocks.

A l'approche de ce canton, comme le système ferroviaire ne dispose pas d'un système de contrôle de vitesses, le conducteur du véhicule se fonde sur les informations de signalisation fournies par les équipements à la voie, notamment les feux de signalisation, pour déterminer qu'il a l'autorisation de mouvement sur ce canton, les équipements de voie se trouvant dans un état d'enclenchement lui permettant de poursuivre sa mission.When approaching this block, as the railway system does not have a speed control system, the driver of the vehicle relies on the signalling information provided by the track equipment, in particular the traffic lights, to determine that he has authorisation to move on this block, the track equipment being in an interlocking state allowing him to continue his mission.

De telles installations de contrôle classiques requièrent un nombre important d'équipements de voie, qu'il faut déployer, certifier et maintenir tout au long de l'exploitation du réseau.Such conventional control installations require a significant amount of track equipment, which must be deployed, certified and maintained throughout the operation of the network.

Il est ainsi envisagé de mettre en oeuvre une toute autre architecture fondée sur une installation de contrôle automatique de train du type « à gestion des trains basée sur la communication », connue sous l'acronyme anglais d'installation CBTC, pour « Communication Based Train Control », ou installation CBTC dans ce qui suit.It is thus envisaged to implement a completely different architecture based on an automatic train control installation of the "communication-based train management" type, known by the English acronym CBTC installation, for "Communication Based Train Control", or CBTC installation in the following.

Une installation CBTC comprend une partie embarquée à bord des trains et une partie au sol.A CBTC installation includes a part on board trains and a part on the ground.

La partie embarquée, également connue sous l'expression anglaise « Carborne Controller », est désignée par système ATC.The on-board part, also known as the Carborne Controller, is referred to as the ATC system.

La partie sol comprend un système ATS, un système IXL et un ATC système sol.The ground part includes an ATS system, an IXL system and an ATC ground system.

Dans un système ATC bord, des calculateurs sont connectés à une unité de communication radio embarquée, propre à mettre une liaison de radiocommunication avec des stations de base, réparties le long des voies, pour établir une connexion avec le système ATC solIn an on-board ATC system, computers are connected to an on-board radio communication unit, capable of establishing a radio communication link with base stations, distributed along the tracks, to establish a connection with the ground ATC system.

Le système ATC embarqué détermine, à chaque instant, des paramètres de fonctionnement du véhicule et communique avec le système ATC sol afin de permettre au véhicule de réaliser, en sécurité, la mission qui lui a été attribuée.The on-board ATC system determines, at all times, the operating parameters of the vehicle and communicates with the ground ATC system to enable the vehicle to safely carry out the mission assigned to it.

Le système ATC assure ainsi, d'une part, la couverture des besoins fonctionnels du véhicule, c'est-à-dire par exemple les stations à desservir, et, d'autre part, le contrôle du véhicule en des points de sécurité prévus le long de la voie, c'est-à-dire, par exemple, vérifier que le véhicule n'a pas une vitesse supérieure à une vitesse seuil associée au point de sécurité à l'instant où le véhicule franchit ce point de sécurité.The ATC system thus ensures, on the one hand, coverage of the functional needs of the vehicle, i.e. for example the stations to be served, and, on the other hand, control of the vehicle at safety points provided along the track, i.e., for example, checking that the vehicle is not traveling at a speed greater than a threshold speed associated with the safety point at the moment the vehicle crosses this safety point.

Le système ATS et le système IXL sont généralement centralisés et mis en oeuvre dans un central opérationnel.The ATS system and the IXL system are generally centralized and implemented in an operational center.

Le système ATC sol comprend, notamment, un contrôleur de zone ZC, acronyme de « Zone Controller » en anglais en charge de suivre la présence de véhicules sur des zones associées du réseau.The ground ATC system includes, in particular, a ZC zone controller, acronym for “Zone Controller” in English, responsible for monitoring the presence of vehicles in associated zones of the network.

Dans une installation CBTC, la circulation du véhicule met en oeuvre un second principe de distance résiduelle, désigné par la suite par son équivalent anglais de « distance to go ».In a CBTC installation, vehicle circulation implements a second principle of residual distance, subsequently designated by its English equivalent of “distance to go”.

Le principe « distance to go » consiste à mettre à jour périodiquement un point d'extrémité jusqu'où un véhicule peut étendre son autorisation de mouvement. Ce point d'extrémité est déterminé par l'ATC bord en fonction des informations qu'il reçoit du sol, notamment de l'ATC sol. A partir de ce point d'extrémité, l'ATC embarqué calcule une courbe de vitesse optimisée entre sa position actuelle et le point d'extrémité. L'ATC embarqué contrôle alors automatiquement le déplacement du véhicule en prenant cette courbe de vitesse optimisée comme consigne.The "distance to go" principle consists of periodically updating an end point to which a vehicle can extend its movement authorization. This end point is determined by the on-board ATC based on the information it receives from the ground, in particular from the ground ATC. From this end point, the on-board ATC calculates an optimized speed curve between its current position and the end point. The on-board ATC then automatically controls the movement of the vehicle by taking this optimized speed curve as a setpoint.

Cependant, la migration des installations classiques vers des installations CBTC est lente, notamment parce que les opérateurs des réseaux ferroviaires possèdent des installations fonctionnelles, auxquelles ils sont habituées et qui sont certifiées par les instances nationales compétentes.However, the migration from conventional installations to CBTC installations is slow, in particular because rail network operators have functional installations, to which they are accustomed and which are certified by the competent national authorities.

En revanche, les opérateurs de matériel roulant ont tendance à choisir des véhicules CBTC, c'est-à-dire équipés de système ATC bord, lors du renouvellement de leur flotte.On the other hand, rolling stock operators tend to choose CBTC vehicles, i.e. equipped with an on-board ATC system, when renewing their fleet.

Par conséquent, des véhicules de dernière génération ne peuvent pas circuler sur un réseau ferroviaire doté d'une installation classique, puisque le système ATC bord de ces véhicules ne peut pas mettre en oeuvre le principe de circulation « canton à canton », à moins de le déconnecter et de laisser le conducteur reprendre la main sur le pilotage du train et de circuler à vue.Consequently, latest generation vehicles cannot operate on a railway network with a conventional installation, since the ATC system on board these vehicles cannot implement the "block to block" circulation principle, unless it is disconnected and the driver takes back control of the train and operates by sight.

Il existe donc un besoin de disposer d'une solution permettant à un véhicule CBTC, équipé d'un système ATC bord, fonctionnant selon le principe du « distance to go », de circuler sur un réseau ferroviaire équipé d'une installation de contrôle classique, tout en permettant à des véhicules dépourvus de système ATC bord de continuer à pouvoir circuler en toute sécurité sur ledit réseau.There is therefore a need for a solution enabling a CBTC vehicle, equipped with an on-board ATC system, operating according to the "distance to go" principle, to travel on a railway network equipped with a conventional control installation, while allowing vehicles without an on-board ATC system to continue to circulate safely on the said network.

Par ailleurs, le document US 2010/299007 A1 est relatif à un ATC bord adapté pour lire et transformer en autorisation de mouvement, des informations relatives à la vitesse limite émise par les transpondeurs d'une installation de contrôle CS, pour « cab signalling ». Dans une installation de contrôle CS, des transpondeurs implantés le long de la voie transmettent, au passage du train, des informations relatives à la vitesse limite sur la portion de voie sur laquelle circule le train. Au moyen d'une antenne bobine, le calculateur de bord récupère ces informations et élabore une consigne de vitesse qu'il présente au conducteur. L'installation de contrôle CS du document US 2010/299007 A1 comprend donc un ATS, un IXL répartis, mais également des transpondeurs. Elle permet la circulation de trains CS, mais également de trains CBTC, dont l'ATC bord est alors modifié pour pouvoir recevoir et utiliser les informations de vitesse limite.Furthermore, the document US 2010/299007 A1 relates to an on-board ATC adapted to read and transform into movement authorization, information relating to the speed limit emitted by the transponders of a CS control installation, for "cab signaling". In a CS control installation, transponders installed along the track transmit, as the train passes, information relating to the speed limit on the portion of track on which the train is traveling. By means of a coil antenna, the on-board computer recovers this information and develops a speed instruction which it presents to the driver. The CS control installation of the document US 2010/299007 A1 therefore includes a distributed ATS, IXL, but also transponders. It allows the circulation of CS trains, but also of CBTC trains, whose on-board ATC is then modified to be able to receive and use the speed limit information.

Le document US 2004/049327A1 divulgue une méthode qui étend la signalisation ATC à des zones où la signalisation est actuellement inexistante ou limitée. La méthode permet au système de contrôle automatique des trains par radio de s'interfacer de manière transparente avec l'équipement ATC embarqué existant.The document US 2004/049327A1 discloses a method that extends ATC signaling to areas where signaling is currently nonexistent or limited. The method allows the radio-based automatic train control system to seamlessly interface with existing on-board ATC equipment.

A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet une installation de contrôle du trafic selon la revendication 1.For this purpose, the invention relates to a traffic control installation according to claim 1.

Suivant d'autres aspects avantageux de l'invention, l'installation présente également les caractéristiques des revendications 2 à 8.According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the installation also has the characteristics of claims 2 to 8.

L'invention sera mieux comprise à l'aide de la description qui va suivre, donnée uniquement à titre d'exemple non limitatif et faite en se référant aux dessins annexés sur lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue schématique d'un réseau ferroviaire existant comprenant une installation de contrôle du trafic ferroviaire classique, et
  • la figure 2 est une vue schématique d'un réseau ferroviaire comprenant un exemple possible de déploiement d'une installation de contrôle du trafic selon l'invention.
The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, given solely as a non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:
  • there figure 1 is a schematic view of an existing railway network including a conventional rail traffic control facility, and
  • there figure 2 is a schematic view of a railway network comprising a possible example of deployment of a traffic control installation according to the invention.

La figure 2 représente schématiquement une installation 42 de contrôle du trafic sur un réseau ferroviaire 40.There figure 2 schematically represents a traffic control installation 42 on a railway network 40.

Le réseau ferroviaire 40 de la figure 2 présente une structure identique à la celle du réseau ferroviaire 10 de la figure 1. Pour faciliter la compréhension, des éléments analogues à ceux décrits en référence à la figure 1 ne sont pas décrits de nouveau et les mêmes références sont utilisées.The 40 rail network of the figure 2 has a structure identical to that of the railway network 10 of the figure 1 . To facilitate understanding, elements similar to those described in reference to the figure 1 are not described again and the same references are used.

L'installation de contrôle 42 reprend l'architecture d'une installation de contrôle classique telle que l'installation 12 de la figure 1. Dit autrement, l'installation de contrôle 42 vient augmenter une installation classique existante de fonctionnalités supplémentaires permettant la circulation de trains CBTC.The control installation 42 takes up the architecture of a classic control installation such as installation 12 of the figure 1 . In other words, the control installation 42 augments an existing conventional installation with additional features enabling the circulation of CBTC trains.

L'installation de contrôle 42 comprend ainsi un système ATS 32 au sol, en central, une pluralité de systèmes IXL 34 répartis le long du réseau ferroviaire 40, une pluralité de relais 30 et des équipements à la voie 20.The control installation 42 thus comprises an ATS system 32 on the ground, in central, a plurality of IXL systems 34 distributed along the railway network 40, a plurality of relays 30 and track equipment 20.

Les systèmes IXL 34 sont propres à gérer l'état d'enclenchement des équipements à la voie 20 en appliquant aux relais d'enclenchement 30 correspondants, des signaux d'enclenchement, qui sont des signaux électriques de type booléen.The IXL 34 systems are capable of managing the engagement state of the equipment on track 20 by applying engagement signals, which are Boolean type electrical signals, to the corresponding engagement relays 30.

Il en résulte que le réseau ferroviaire 40 de la figure 2 permet la circulation des véhicules 18 pilotés selon le premier principe, à savoir selon le principe du canton à canton.As a result, the 40 rail network of the figure 2 allows the circulation of 18 vehicles driven according to the first principle, namely according to the block-to-block principle.

En outre, l'installation 42 permet la circulation d'un train CBTC 46, de dernière génération, sur le réseau ferroviaire 40 selon le principe « distance to go ».In addition, installation 42 allows the circulation of a latest-generation CBTC 46 train on the 40 rail network according to the “distance to go” principle.

Par rapport au réseau ferroviaire 10 de la figure 1, le réseau ferroviaire 40 de la figure 2 comprend en plus des différents équipements de voie 20, des balises de positionnement 44 réparties le long des voies 16. Chaque balise de positionnement 44 est associée à un identifiant unique et est propre à générer un signal de positionnement représentatif de son identifiant. Les balises de positionnement 44 sont, par exemple, des dispositifs RFID, de l'anglais « radio frequency identification », propres à émettre un signal de courte portée sous l'effet d'un courant induit par une antenne réceptrice équipant le train.Compared to the railway network 10 of the figure 1 , the railway network 40 of the figure 2 comprises, in addition to the various track equipment 20, positioning beacons 44 distributed along the tracks 16. Each positioning beacon 44 is associated with a unique identifier and is capable of generating a positioning signal representative of its identifier. The positioning beacons 44 are, for example, RFID devices, from the English “radio frequency identification”, capable of emitting a short-range signal under the effect of a current induced by a receiving antenna equipping the train.

Le train CBTC 46 comprend un système ATC embarqué 48.The CBTC 46 train includes an on-board ATC system 48.

Le système ATC embarqué 48 comprend au moins une antenne 50, une mémoire, et des calculateurs, et est adapté pour échanger des messages de radiocommunication au moyen de l'antenne 50.The on-board ATC system 48 comprises at least one antenna 50, a memory, and computers, and is adapted to exchange radiocommunication messages by means of the antenna 50.

La mémoire stocke un ensemble d'instructions logicielles, les calculateurs étant propres à exécuter au moins une partie des instructions logicielles.The memory stores a set of software instructions, the computers being capable of executing at least part of the software instructions.

La mémoire comprend également une base de données.The memory also includes a database.

La base de données contient des informations spécifiques aux voies 16, telle la position des différentes pentes ainsi que leur inclinaison respective, la disposition des aiguilles, etc. Ces informations enregistrées à bord sont aussi dites « invariants » de la voie.The database contains information specific to tracks 16, such as the position of the different slopes as well as their respective inclination, the arrangement of the points, etc. This information recorded on board is also called "invariants" of the track.

De plus, la base de données contient, pour chaque balise de position 44, sa position sur les voies 16.In addition, the database contains, for each beacon of position 44, its position on the tracks 16.

L'installation 42 comprend au moins un système d'interface 52 propre à émuler un environnement permettant au système ATC embarqué 48 de contrôler le mouvement du train 46 selon le principe du « distance to go » alors que celui-ci circule sur une infrastructure ferroviaire mettant en oeuvre un contrôle de la circulation selon le principe du « canton à canton ».The installation 42 comprises at least one interface system 52 capable of emulating an environment allowing the on-board ATC system 48 to control the movement of the train 46 according to the “distance to go” principle while it is running on a railway infrastructure implementing traffic control according to the “block to block” principle.

De préférence, chaque système d'interface 52 est associé à un système IXL 34. Dans l'exemple de la figure 2, chaque station 14 comprend un système IXL 34 associé à un système d'interface 52. Alternativement, seules certaines stations 14 comprennent un système d'interface 52 associé à un système IXL 34. Alternativement, un système d'interface 52 est associé à au moins deux systèmes IXL 34. De préférence, tous les systèmes d'interface 52 sont identiques et, dans ce qui suit, un seul système d'interface 52 est décrit.Preferably, each interface system 52 is associated with an IXL system 34. In the example of the figure 2 , each station 14 comprises an IXL system 34 associated with an interface system 52. Alternatively, only some stations 14 comprise an interface system 52 associated with an IXL system 34. Alternatively, an interface system 52 is associated with at least two IXL systems 34. Preferably, all the interface systems 52 are identical and, in the following, only one interface system 52 is described.

Le système d'interface 52 comprend un encodeur radio 56, un réseau de communication 54 et un ensemble de stations de base 58.The interface system 52 includes a radio encoder 56, a communication network 54 and a set of base stations 58.

Le réseau de communication 54 est relié d'une part à l'encodeur radio 56 et d'autre part à l'ensemble de stations de base 58. Il comporte par exemple un commutateur et des liaisons optiques. Le réseau de communication 54 assure l'échange de messages entre l'encodeur radio 56 et les stations de base 58, et inversement, de préférence en mettant en oeuvre un protocole de communication Ethernet, de préférence doté d'un couche sécuritaire.The communication network 54 is connected on the one hand to the radio encoder 56 and on the other hand to the set of base stations 58. It comprises for example a switch and optical links. The communication network 54 ensures the exchange of messages between the radio encoder 56 and the base stations 58, and vice versa, preferably by implementing an Ethernet communication protocol, preferably provided with a security layer.

L'encodeur radio 56 est situé à proximité du système IXL 34 auquel il est associé.The 56 radio encoder is located near the IXL 34 system with which it is associated.

En entrée, l'encodeur radio 56 est connecté à la sortie au système IXL 34 et aux relais d'enclenchement 30 des équipements à la voie 20 que contrôle ce système IXL 34.At the input, the radio encoder 56 is connected to the output to the IXL system 34 and to the interlock relays 30 of the equipment at channel 20 that this IXL system 34 controls.

En sortie, l'encodeur radio 56 est connecté au réseau de communication 54.At the output, the radio encoder 56 is connected to the communication network 54.

L'encodeur radio 56 reçoit des signaux d'enclenchement émis par le système IXL 34 vers le relais 30 et les signaux d'état d'enclenchement courant des équipements de voie émis par le relais 30 (tels que par exemple les états d'enclenchement des feux lumineux 24, des aiguillages 22, et des états d'occupation des canton). Ces signaux sont par exemple dans un format booléen.The radio encoder 56 receives interlocking signals transmitted by the IXL system 34 to the relay 30 and the current interlocking status signals of the track equipment transmitted by the relay 30 (such as for example the interlocking states of the lights 24, the points 22, and the occupancy states of the blocks). These signals are for example in a Boolean format.

Par exemple, l'encodeur radio 56 prend en entrée :

  • un premier signal Si indiquant l'état d'un i-ème feu lumineux, valant 0 lorsque le feu lumineux est en état restrictif et 1 lorsque le feu lumineux est en état permissif ;
  • un deuxième signal DPNi indiquant l'état d'un i-ème aiguillage, valant 1 lorsque l'aiguille est en position droite ;
  • un troisième signal DPRi indiquant l'état d'un i-ème aiguillage, valant 1 lorsque l'aiguille est en position déviée, et
  • un premier état Ci indiquant l'état d'occupation du i-ème canton, valant 0 lorsque le canton est occupé et 1 lorsque le canton est libre.
For example, radio encoder 56 takes as input:
  • a first signal Si indicating the state of an i-th light, worth 0 when the light is in restrictive state and 1 when the light is in permissive state;
  • a second DPN signal i indicating the state of an i-th switch, worth 1 when the switch is in the straight position;
  • a third DPR signal i indicating the state of an i-th switch, worth 1 when the switch is in the deflected position, and
  • a first state Ci indicating the occupation state of the i-th canton, worth 0 when the canton is occupied and 1 when the canton is free.

L'encodeur radio 56 génère à partir de ces informations d'entrée un message de sortie dans un format adapté et le transmet, via le réseau de communication 54, vers l'ATC bord 48 du train 46.The radio encoder 56 generates from this input information an output message in a suitable format and transmits it, via the communication network 54, to the ATC on board 48 of the train 46.

Le message généré est transmis le long du réseau de communication 54.The generated message is transmitted along the communication network 54.

Les stations de base 58 sont réparties le long des voies 16. Chaque station de base 58 est connectée au réseau 54 et est propre à établir une liaison temporaire de radiocommunication avec le système ATC embarqué 48 du train 46.The base stations 58 are distributed along the tracks 16. Each base station 58 is connected to the network 54 and is capable of establishing a temporary radiocommunication link with the on-board ATC system 48 of the train 46.

En outre, chaque station de base 58 est propre à transmettre au système ATC embarqué 48, le long de la liaison temporaire, le message généré par l'encodeur radio 56.Furthermore, each base station 58 is capable of transmitting to the on-board ATC system 48, along the temporary link, the message generated by the radio encoder 56.

Le système ATC embarqué 48 est propre à estimer en temps réel la position du véhicule 46 à partir de la détection des signaux de positionnement émis par les balises de positionnement 44. A titre d'illustration, le véhicule 46 comprend un dispositif de couplage propre à détecter la présence d'une balise de position 44 et à recevoir l'identifiant de ladite balise. Avantageusement, le véhicule 46 comprend des odomètres positionnés au niveau des roues dudit véhicule 46 et propres à délivrer des informations de patinage desdites roues. Dans ce cas, le système ATC embarqué 48 est propre à estimer la position du véhicule à partir de la dernière détection d'une balise de position 44, de la vitesse instantanée du véhicule 46 et des informations délivrées par les odomètres.The on-board ATC system 48 is capable of estimating in real time the position of the vehicle 46 from the detection of the positioning signals emitted by the positioning beacons 44. By way of illustration, the vehicle 46 comprises a coupling device capable of detecting the presence of a position beacon 44 and of receiving the identifier of said beacon. Advantageously, the vehicle 46 comprises odometers positioned at the wheels of said vehicle 46 and capable of delivering information on the slippage of said wheels. In this case, the on-board ATC system 48 is capable of estimating the position of the vehicle from the last detection of a position beacon 44, the instantaneous speed of the vehicle 46 and the information delivered by the odometers.

Le système ATC embarqué 48 met en oeuvre un pilotage du véhicule 46 selon le second principe, à savoir selon le principe du « distance to go », à partir du ou des message(s) reçu(s) de l'encodeur 56 et des données contenues dans sa base de données.The on-board ATC system 48 implements control of the vehicle 46 according to the second principle, namely according to the “distance to go” principle, based on the message(s) received from the encoder 56 and the data contained in its database.

Les informations reçues du sol étant des informations relatives aux cantons, la base de données du système ATC bord comporte une description par cantons du réseau ferroviaire 40.Since the information received from the ground is information relating to the cantons, the on-board ATC system database includes a description by canton of the railway network 40.

Le système ATC embarqué 48 calcule ainsi un point d'extrémité d'une autorisation de mouvement à partir des informations contenues dans le message reçu. Ce point d'extrémité correspond en fait à l'extrémité d'un canton.The on-board ATC system 48 thus calculates an end point of a movement authorization from the information contained in the message received. This end point actually corresponds to the end of a block.

Le système ATC embarqué 48 calcule un profil vitesse optimisé permettant au véhicule 46 d'atteindre le point cible. Par-là, on entend, par exemple, un profil de vitesse minimisant les besoins en énergie du véhicule 46.The on-board ATC system 48 calculates an optimized speed profile enabling the vehicle 46 to reach the target point. This means, for example, a speed profile minimizing the energy requirements of the vehicle 46.

Le système ATC pilote ensuite le véhicule selon le profil de vitesse optimisé. Par « pilotage du véhicule », il est entendu la génération d'un ensemble de commandes transmises à des éléments du véhicule, tels un dispositif de freinage ou un dispositif de motorisation.The ATC system then steers the vehicle according to the optimized speed profile. By "steering the vehicle" is meant the generation of a set of commands transmitted to elements of the vehicle, such as a braking device or a motorization device.

Le fonctionnement de l'invention est à présent décrit.The operation of the invention is now described.

On conçoit qu'un véhicule propre à circuler sur un réseau ferroviaire doté d'une installation de contrôle classique mettant en oeuvre du premier principe de canton à canton, est également propre à circuler sur le réseau ferroviaire 40 de la figure 2 équipé d'une installation de contrôle 42 qui conserve le premier principe de « canton à canton » comme principe de fonctionnement.It is understood that a vehicle suitable for running on a railway network equipped with a conventional control installation implementing the first principle from block to block is also suitable for running on the railway network 40 of the figure 2 equipped with a 42 control installation which retains the first principle of “canton to canton” as the operating principle.

Dans ce qui suit, il est considéré le cas d'un véhicule 46 de dernière génération, c'est-à-dire équipé d'un système ATC embarqué 48 communiquant par voie radio et propre à piloter le véhicule 46 selon le principe du « distance to go », circulant sur un réseau ferroviaire 40 équipé par l'installation de contrôle 42 selon l'invention.In the following, the case of a latest generation vehicle 46 is considered, that is to say equipped with an on-board ATC system 48 communicating by radio and capable of piloting the vehicle 46 according to the “distance to go” principle, traveling on a railway network 40 equipped with the control installation 42 according to the invention.

En circulant le long des voies 16, le véhicule 46 passe à proximité d'une balise de position 44. Sous l'effet d'un courant induit, la balise de positionnement 44 génère un champ électromagnétique représentatif de l'identifiant de ladite balise 44. Le dispositif de couplage du véhicule 46 capte le champ électromagnétique et permet à l'ATC bord de déduire la position instantanée du train 46. Puis, tout en circulant le long des voies 16 jusqu'à une prochaine balise, le système ATC bord 48 estime en temps réel la position du train à partir de données odométriques.While traveling along the tracks 16, the vehicle 46 passes close to a position beacon 44. Under the effect of an induced current, the positioning beacon 44 generates an electromagnetic field representative of the identifier of said beacon 44. The coupling device of the vehicle 46 captures the electromagnetic field and allows the on-board ATC to deduce the instantaneous position of the train 46. Then, while traveling along the tracks 16 to a next beacon, the on-board ATC system 48 estimates the position of the train in real time from odometric data.

Le système ATC embarqué 48 reçoit un message émis par l'encodeur radio 56, le message indiquant, entre autres, l'état d'occupation et d'enclenchement des cantons du réseau 40.The on-board ATC system 48 receives a message transmitted by the radio encoder 56, the message indicating, among other things, the occupation and interlocking status of the network blocks 40.

Puis, le système ATC embarqué 48 détermine le point d'extrémité d'une autorisation de mouvement s'étendant par exemple sur cinq cantons consécutifs.Then, the on-board ATC system 48 determines the end point of a movement authorization extending for example over five consecutive cantons.

Le système ATC lit dans la base de données les informations spécifiques aux portions de voies associées aux cinq prochains cantons et détermine une courbe de vitesse.The ATC system reads the track-specific information associated with the next five blocks from the database and determines a speed curve.

Le système ATC embarqué 48 pilote le train selon la courbe de vitesse optimisée et sa position courante.The on-board ATC system 48 controls the train according to the optimized speed curve and its current position.

La présente invention présente tout d'abord comme avantage de pouvoir être mise en oeuvre au sein de tout réseau ferroviaire 10 équipé d'une installation de contrôle classique 12, comme celle décrite en référence à la figure 1.The present invention firstly has the advantage of being able to be implemented within any railway network 10 equipped with a conventional control installation 12, such as that described with reference to the figure 1 .

La mise en oeuvre est, en outre, simple puisqu'elle ne nécessite que l'implantation d'au moins un encodeur radio 56, d'une infrastructure de radiocommunication et de balises de positionnement 44.The implementation is, moreover, simple since it only requires the installation of at least one radio encoder 56, a radiocommunication infrastructure and positioning beacons 44.

Une fois ce système d'interface déployé, l'installation permet de contrôler la circulation sur le réseau ferroviaire aussi bien de véhicules 18 compatibles avec une installation de contrôle classique 12 fonctionnant sur le principe du « canton à canton » que de véhicules 46 de dernière génération fonctionnant sur le principe du « distance to go ».Once this interface system is deployed, the installation makes it possible to control traffic on the railway network both for vehicles 18 compatible with a conventional control installation 12 operating on the "block to block" principle and for latest generation vehicles 46 operating on the "distance to go" principle.

En outre, l'invention constitue une première étape d'un processus de mise à niveau de l'installation de contrôle du réseau ferroviaire 40 pour déployer une installation CBTC complète en remplacement d'une installation classique.Furthermore, the invention constitutes a first step in a process of upgrading the railway network control installation 40 to deploy a complete CBTC installation to replace a conventional installation.

Dans ce processus, une seconde étape de mise à niveau consiste, par exemple, à substituer les systèmes IXL répartis le long des voies par un système IXL centralisé, relié aux équipements de voie via un réseau information à longue distance adapté.In this process, a second upgrade step consists, for example, in replacing the IXL systems distributed along the tracks with a centralised IXL system, connected to the track equipment via a suitable long-distance information network.

Une troisième étape consiste ensuite à déployer un ATC sol, à savoir notamment un contrôleur de zone ZC.A third step then consists of deploying a ground ATC, namely in particular a ZC zone controller.

Ainsi, le système d'interface constitue un composant que l'on retrouve dans les différentes installations intermédiaires conduisant à une installation CBTC complète.Thus, the interface system constitutes a component found in the various intermediate installations leading to a complete CBTC installation.

Claims (8)

  1. A control installation (42) for traffic on a railway network (40), the control installation (42) comprising an automatic train supervision system, called ATS system (32), on the ground, centrally, and a plurality of interlocking systems, called IXL systems (34), distributed along the railway network (40), the IXL systems (34) managing the interlocking state of a plurality of track equipment items (20) by applying Boolean-type electrical signals to a corresponding relay for actuating said track equipment items (20), so as to allow a first vehicle (18) to move according to a first principle of the "block-to-block" type,
    wherein, to allow a second vehicle to move according to a second principle of the residual distance type, said second vehicle (46) being equipped with an onboard automatic train control system, called onboard ATC system (48), constituting the onboard part of an automatic train control installation of the "communication-based train control" type, called CBTC, the control installation (42) comprises, associated with each IXL system (34), an interface system (52) capable of emulating an environment enabling the onboard ATC system (48) to control the movement of the second vehicle (46) according to the "distance to go" principle while it is travelling on a railway infrastructure where traffic control is in place according to the "block-to-block" principle, the interface system (52) comprising only:
    - positioning beacons (44) installed along the tracks (16) of the railway network (40), each positioning beacon (44) being able to supply a positioning signal to the second vehicle (46) when the second vehicle (46) passes near said positioning beacon (44), the onboard ATC system (48) estimating a current position of the second vehicle (46) on the tracks (16) from the last received positioning signal,
    - a communication network (54),
    - a radio encoder (56) inputting a plurality of signals from current interlocking and interlocking status signals generated at the output of the associated IXL system (34) and the corresponding relay, and generating a message in a format suitable for being transmitted along the communication network (54), and
    - a set of base stations (58) distributed along the tracks (16), each base station (58) being connected to the communication network (54) and being able to establish a temporary radiocommunication link with the onboard ATC system (48), and to transmit the message generated by the radio encoder (56) to the onboard ATC system (48),
    the radio encoder (56) being configured to emulate an environment enabling the onboard ATC system (48) of the second vehicle to control the movement of the second vehicle (46) according to the second principle from said message received from the radio encoder (56) and data contained in a database of the onboard ATC system (48) of the second vehicle (46), while said second vehicle is traveling on a railway infrastructure implementing traffic control according to the first principle.
  2. The control installation (42) according to claim 1, wherein the tracks (16) are divided into fixed blocks, each block being characterized by a maximum permitted speed, the first principle consisting in allowing the movement of a vehicle (18) from the state of occupying the blocks and maximum speeds authorized on said blocks.
  3. The control installation (42) according to claim 2, wherein the database contains traffic rules specific to the railway network (40) and information specific to the blocks.
  4. The control installation (42) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the onboard ATC system (48) of the second vehicle (46) determines a movement authorization from the message received from the radio encoder (56).
  5. The control installation (42) according to claims 3 and 4, wherein the onboard ATC system (48) is able to calculate, from the message received from the radio encoder (56) and by reading in the database, an endpoint from which to determine the movement authorization.
  6. The control installation (42) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication network (54) is an Ethernet communication network.
  7. The control installation (42) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the track equipment (20) is selected from a group consisting of:
    - lights (24),
    - switches (22),
    - presence sensors (38) on a track section,
    - isolation devices for track portions (28), and
    - emergency stop devices for vehicles (26).
  8. The control installation (42) according to claim 7, wherein the message transmitted by the radio encoder (56) comprises at least data selected from a group consisting of:
    - triggering states of the lights,
    - triggering states of the switches, and
    - occupancy states of track sections.
EP17164235.8A 2016-03-31 2017-03-31 Installation for traffic monitoring in a train network and associated radio encoder Active EP3225500B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1652831A FR3049557B1 (en) 2016-03-31 2016-03-31 TRAFFIC CONTROL INSTALLATION ON A RAILWAY NETWORK AND ASSOCIATED RADIO ENCODER

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CN107662625A (en) * 2017-10-30 2018-02-06 成都九壹通智能科技股份有限公司 A kind of Railway operation and dispatching system
CN108390896B (en) * 2018-05-08 2023-09-29 北京凤凰汇通科技有限公司 Vehicle-ground auxiliary communication system
CN110086832A (en) * 2019-06-11 2019-08-02 张家港江苏科技大学产业技术研究院 A kind of protocol converter
CN112678034B (en) * 2021-01-14 2023-03-24 北京交通大学 Train operation control system compatible with CTCS-2 and CBTC
US11993299B2 (en) * 2021-07-08 2024-05-28 Transportation Ip Holdings, Llc Vehicle brake control system and method

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US20040049327A1 (en) * 2002-09-10 2004-03-11 Kondratenko Robert Allen Radio based automatic train control system using universal code
US8214092B2 (en) * 2007-11-30 2012-07-03 Siemens Industry, Inc. Method and apparatus for an interlocking control device
US8200380B2 (en) * 2009-05-19 2012-06-12 Siemens Industry, Inc. Method and apparatus for hybrid train control device
US9718487B2 (en) * 2014-02-18 2017-08-01 Nabil N. Ghaly Method and apparatus for a train control system
FR3019128B1 (en) * 2014-03-25 2017-10-06 Alstom Transp Tech EQUIPMENT FOR A SECONDARY SYSTEM OF DETECTION IN THE WAY AND SIGNALING SYSTEM INTEGRATING SUCH EQUIPMENT
US11760396B2 (en) * 2014-04-25 2023-09-19 Nabil N. Ghaly Method and apparatus for an auxiliary train control system

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BR102017006667B1 (en) 2023-05-09
EP3225500A1 (en) 2017-10-04
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FR3049557B1 (en) 2021-12-10
BR102017006667A2 (en) 2017-12-12

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