Method for ensuring that a section block of a railway section is free of the last unit of a train

Abstract

A method for ensuring that a section block of a railway section is free of the last unit of a train, wherein each train travelling into the section block is equipped with at least one train terminal (OTU—On Train Unit) at the end of the train, defined by the direction of travel of the train, which OTU is used for the periodic position detection of the train. The method comprises storing at least one polygon, which is defined by a plurality of geo-data, for each section block is stored in the OTU, registering the respectively traveled polygon at least once by the OTU by means of Global Navigation Satellite System, and sending the identification of the respectively traveled polygon with the OTU at least once to an electronic data processing system for evaluation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT / EP2018 / 075476 filed Sep. 20, 2018, which claims priority to Swiss Patent Application No. 01163 / 17 filed Sep. 21, 2017, the entirety of each of which is incorporated by this reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to a method for ensuring that a section block of a railway section is free of the last unit of a train.PRIOR ART[0003]The prior art discloses security measures that verify the completeness or integrity of a train. An old security measure is that the dispatcher checks with a naked eye when a train is leaving the station that there is a train end signal at the end of the train.[0004]Automatic axle counting devices are widespread, which count the number of axles when entering a station or a section block (counting the axles up). The axle counting devices are electronic components with sensors. When leaving the station or the section block, an...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by a method for train protection that can ensure completeness of the train with little investment.

[0009]In addition, the proposed method of train protection is be able to supplement or replace existing security procedures, wherein the necessary infrastructure investments is be as low as possible. For example, the method enables trains to travel at a fixed special distance from one another.

[0010]In the following description, the individual terms used are defined as follows:

[0011]Polygon=geofence=virtual area above the two tracks (rails) of a track body stored in the OTU

[0013]Polygon ID data=geo-data, block ID and tra

Problems solved by technology

Axle counting devices are expensive to purchase and to maintain.

It is also known that they can have functional problems at high temperatures.

The described method is susceptible to errors because it checks the matching of GPS point coordinates.

The error for the deviation of the spot on the track from the end point of the train can be due not only because of the fact that the train

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