Time-limited permissive signal clearing method for TACS system based on train safety envelope expansion

Abstract

The present invention relates to a time-limited permissive signal clearing method for a TACS system based on train safety envelope expansion, including automatically expanding a train movement envelope after a wayside train controller (WTC) acquires a line resource, triggering the wayside train controller (WTC) to apply for clearing a permissive signal of a current signal within a limited time for a degraded train, and closing the permissive signal before a degraded train body completely passes through the signal. Compared with the prior art, the present invention has advantages such as avoiding display upgrading to other following trains. 

Description

TIME-LIMITED PERMISSIVE SIGNAL CLEARING METHOD FOR TACS SYSTEM BASED ON TRAIN SAFETY ENVELOPE EXPANSION TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to a train signalling control system, and in particular to a time-limited permissive signal clearing method for a TACS system based on train safety envelope expansion. BACKGROUNDIn a train control system based on continuous bidirectional train-ground communication (referred to as a CBTC system), trains operate relying on movement authority information calculated by wayside equipment. Trains operating in the CBTC mode do not rely on wayside signal indication. Nevertheless, most CBTC projects are additionally provided with an interlocking fallback mode. When trains degrade to operate in the interlocking fallback mode, drivers need to obtain movement authority through the indication of wayside signals, thereby controlling train movement. In the fallback mode, an interlocking subsystem acquires information such as the occupancy status of forward sections, route status, and train movement mode via secondary detection equipment such as axle counters, so as to control the indication of wayside signals.The CBTC system takes ground equipment as the core of train control, with numerous wayside devices and low communication efficiency between trains and ground, which limits the efficiency and reliability of train movement. Compared with the CBTC system, the train autonomous circumambulate system (TACS) based on train-to-train communication takes onboard equipment as the control core, and trains independently calculate movement authority. Trains perform autonomous movement control according to applied resources, and acquire the safe positions of other trains via train-to-train communication to achieve train interval protection, breaking away from reliance on traditional secondary detection equipment such as axle counters, reducing the quantity of wayside equipment, and improving the efficiency and reliability of train movement.After a TACS train degrades, the driver also needs to control train movement according to the indication of wayside signals. After a wayside signal clears a permissive signal, the TACS system cannot safely detect a degraded train passing the signal due to the lack of secondary detection devices such as axle counters, and thus cannot promptly close the permissive signal cleared for the train. The permissive signal may be misread by the driver of another following degraded train, resulting in a safety issue of signal indication upgrade.Upon retrieval, Chinese Patent Publication No. CN113044084A discloses a signal indication method for a TACS system, which specifically discloses that the method achieves indication control of a wayside signal by processing line resource allocation. The indication method is a normal lighting indication method or a normal extinguishing indication method, which breaks away from the mode of controlling signal indication according to route information. The signal indication logic is simpler and more straightforward, and has advantages such as improving operational efficiency. However, the existing patent does not consider that under the condition of lacking secondary detection equipment, the TACS system clears time-limited permissive signals for degraded trains, causing a safety issue of indication upgrade to other following trains. SUMMARYAn objective of the present invention is to provide a time-limited permissive signal clearing method for a TACS system based on train safety envelope expansion, in order to overcome the defects of the above prior art.The objective of the present invention can be achieved through the following technical solutions: According to a first aspect of the present invention, a time-limited permissive signal clearing method for a TACS system based on train safety envelope expansion is provided, including automatically expanding a train movement envelope after a wayside train controller (WTC) acquires a line resource, triggering the wayside train controller (WTC) to apply for clearing a permissive signal of a current signal within a limited time for a degraded train, and closing the permissive signal before a degraded train body completely passes through the signal.As a preferred technical solution, the method specifically includes the following steps:step S1. after a train loses train-ground communication during movement, inheriting, by the wayside train controller (WTC), a train safety envelope calculated for the train by a carborne controller (CC);step S2. automatically reissuing a movement mission of the train before degradation to the wayside train controller (WTC) taking over the train, and expanding the train safety envelope to a restrictive signal before a mission endpoint by an automatic train supervision system (ATS);step S3. driving, by a driver, the train to approach and stop steadily in front of the restrictive signal to complete a current movement mission, and issuing, by the automatic train supervision system (ATS), a next train movement mission;step S4. applying, by the wayside train controller (WTC), for the line resource according to a newly issued movement mission;step S5. calculating, by the wayside train controller (WTC), a guarantee of no train occupancy between the current signal and a next signal in the same direction;step S6. applying, by the wayside train controller (WTC), to a wayside resource controller (WRC) for clearing the permissive signal of the current signal within the limited time;step S7. driving, by the wayside resource controller (WRC), an object controller (OC) to illuminate a permissive light of the current signal within a limited time range; andstep S8. driving, by the driver, the train to run past the current signal within the limited time range.As a preferred technical solution, in step S1, after taking over the carborne controller (CC), the wayside train controller (WTC) completes application and release of the line resource and issues a signal lighting command for the train.As a preferred technical solution, in step S2, the wayside train controller (WTC) applies to the wayside resource controller (WRC) for a required line resource according to a train mission, and after acquiring all required line resources, expands the train safety envelope to the restrictive signal before the mission endpoint.As a preferred technical solution, in step S4, the wayside train controller (WTC) applies to the wayside resource controller (WRC) for a line resource between the current signal and the next signal in the same direction according to the newly issued movement mission.As a preferred technical solution, in step S5, the wayside train controller (WTC) establishes train-to-train communication with other trains on an entire line, and after acquiring safety positioning information of the other trains, calculates the guarantee of no train occupancy between the current signal and the next signal in the same direction.As a preferred technical solution, in step S6, after acquiring all required line resources, the wayside train controller (WTC) expands an endpoint of the train safety envelope from a current restrictive signal to the next signal in the same direction, and applies to the wayside resource controller (WRC) for clearing the permissive signal of the current signal within the limited time in combination with a guarantee of no other train occupancy in a protection section of the current signal.As a preferred technical solution, the limited time in step S6 is considered as a minimum time required, after a safety envelope of the degraded train is expanded, for the train to accelerate from standstill to a maximum speed limit for manual train movement until a train rear clears the current signal.As a preferred technical solution, in step S7, the wayside resource controller (WRC) drives the object controller (OC) to illuminate the permissive light of the current signal within the limited time range according to a time-limited permissive signal clearing request of the wayside train controller (WTC).As a preferred technical solution, in step S8, after visually observing the permissive light, the driver drives the train to run past the current signal, and when the limited time expires, the wayside resource controller (WRC) drives the object controller (OC) to switch to illuminate a restrictive light of the current signal.According to a second aspect of the present invention, an electronic device is provided, including a memory and a processor, the memory having a computer program stored thereon, where the processor, when executing the program, implements the method.According to a third aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, having a computer program stored thereon, where the program, when executed by a processor, implements the method.Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:1) The present invention enables the TACS system to clear the time-limited permissive signal for the degraded train under the condition of lacking secondary detection equipment. The permissive signal can be guaranteed to be closed before the degraded train body completely passes the signal, avoiding indication upgrade to other following trains;2) Based on the feature that the wayside train controller (WTC) automatically expands the train safety movement envelope after acquiring the line resource, the present invention triggers the wayside train controller (WTC) to apply to clear the permissive signal of the current signal for the train within a limited time. The entire process requires no manual intervention and is completed automatically by the system, improving availability; and3) A necessary condition for clearing the time-limited permissive signal in the present invention is that all line resources within the protection section of the current signal are allocated and unoccupied by any train, fully ensuring system safety. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIG. 1 is an architecture diagram of a TACS system;FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a train TU1 expanding a train safety envelope to a position S1 according to an embodiment of the present invention;FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a WTC establishing train-to-train communication with a train TU2 to obtain train positioning information according to an embodiment of the present invention;FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a wayside resource controller (WRC) sending a command to an object controller (OC) to drive illumination of a permissive light of a signal S1 according to an embodiment of the present invention;FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a wayside resource controller (WRC) sending a command to an object controller (OC) to drive illumination of a restrictive light of a signal S1 according to an embodiment of the present invention; andFIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a wayside resource controller (WRC) sending a command to an object controller (OC) to drive illumination of a restrictive light of a signal S1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTSThe technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention are clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Apparently, the described embodiments are merely some rather than all of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without making creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.The time-limited permissive signal clearing method for a TACS system based on train safety envelope expansion according to the present invention can effectively solve the problem that the TACS system cannot safely detect the occupancy of the downstream section of the signal by a degraded train, cannot timely close the permissive signal cleared for the following train, and causes a safety issue of indication upgrade to the following train.As shown in FIG. 1, the TACS system mainly includes an automatic train supervision system (ATS), a wayside resource controller (WRC), a carborne controller (CC), a carborne backup localization system (BLS), a wayside train controller (WTC), and an object controller (OC). The automatic train supervision system (ATS) is configured to be responsible for supervising and controlling train movement, with functions such as tracking train movement, issuing train movement missions, alarming and event reporting, and train movement adjustment. The wayside resource controller (WRC) has functions such as train sequence management, line resource allocation and recovery, signal and switch control, wayside equipment status acquisition, and driving. The carborne controller (CC) autonomously calculates and plans the driving path and planned movement curve according to the train movement mission, applies to and releases resources from the wayside resource controller (WRC), negotiates resource use with other trains, actively performs train control, and achieves train safety protection functions and automatic driving functions. The wayside train controller (WTC) is mainly responsible for managing and tracking faulty trains, and taking over faulty trains for resource application and release. The object controller (OC) mainly achieves wayside equipment status acquisition and driving, including the driving and status acquisition of signals. The carborne backup localization system (BLS) mainly provides the corresponding train ID and train position information for the wayside train controller according to the acquired balise information, so as to achieve the position tracking of degraded trains. The train movement modes of the TACS system include a TACS mode and a manual mode. When a train is in an onboard full safety protection state, the train is considered to be in the TACS mode. When a train is not in an onboard full safety protection state and safety protection is performed with manual participation, the train is considered to be in the manual mode.As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 6, the time-limited permissive signal clearing method for a TACS system based on train safety envelope expansion is as follows:101) After a train TU1 and a train TU2 are degraded due to section train-ground communication failure, they perform tracking operation between stations in a manual mode. A wayside train controller (WTC_A) of the train TU1 applies to a WRC for line resources to a signal S1 for the train TU1. After all required resources are acquired, TU1 expands a train safety envelope to S1, as shown in FIG. 2;102) A driver drives the train TU1 to approach and stop steadily upstream of the signal S1. An automatic train supervision system (ATS) issues a movement mission in the same direction as the signal S1 to the wayside train controller (WTC). The wayside train controller (WTC) applies to the wayside resource controller (WRC) for line resources from the signal S1 to a signal S2, and establishes train-to-train communication with the train TU2 to obtain train positioning information, as shown in FIG. 3;103) After the train acquires all line resources between the signal S1 and the signal S2, the wayside train controller (WTC) expands the train safety envelope of TU1 to S2. In combination with a guarantee of no other train occupancy in a protection section of the signal, the wayside train controller (WTC) applies to the wayside resource controller (WRC) for clearing a permissive signal of S1 for 15 s. The wayside resource controller (WRC) sends a command to an object controller (OC) to drive illumination of the permissive light of the signal S1, as shown in FIG. 4;104) After the driver visually observes the permissive signal, the driver drives train TU1 to approach and pass the signal. The carborne backup localization system (BLS) reads a beacon downstream of the signal S1, and then updates positioning information of the train TU1 to the wayside train controller (WTC). The wayside train controller (WTC) applies to the wayside resource controller (WRC) for closing the permissive signal of S1. The wayside resource controller (WRC) sends a command to the object controller (OC) to drive illumination of a restrictive light of the signal S1, as shown in FIG. 5; and105) With low probability, during a process where the driver drives the train TU1 to approach and pass the signal S1, the carborne backup localization system (BLS) does not read the beacon downstream of the signal S1. Before a body range of the train TU1 completely clears the signal S1, the 15 s countdown ends. The wayside resource controller (WRC) sends a command to the object controller (OC) to drive illumination of the restrictive light of the signal S1, as shown in FIG. 6.The above is an introduction to the embodiment of the method, and the solutions of the present invention are further explained by embodiments of an electronic device and a storage medium.The electronic device of the present invention includes a central processing unit (CPU) that can execute various appropriate actions and processes according to the computer program instructions stored in a read-only memory (ROM) or loaded from a storage unit into a random access memory (RAM). In the RAM, various programs and data required for device operation can also be stored. The CPU, the ROM, and the RAM are connected to each other via a bus. An input / output (I / O) interface is also connected to the bus.A plurality of components in the device are connected to the I / O interface, including: input units, such as a keyboard and a mouse; output units, such as various types of displays and speakers; storage units, such as a disk and an optical disc; and communication units, such as a network card, a modem, and a wireless communication transceiver. The communication unit allows the device to exchange information / data with other devices through computer networks such as the Internet and / or various telecommunication networks.The processing unit performs the methods and processing described above, such as the method in the present invention. For example, in some embodiments, the method in the present invention may be implemented as computer software programs that are tangibly included in a machine-readable medium, such as a storage unit. In some embodiments, part or all of the computer program may be loaded and / or installed on the device via the ROM and / or the communication unit. When the computer programs are loaded into the RAM and executed by the CPU, one or more of the steps of the method in the present invention described above can be performed. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the CPU may be configured to perform the method in the present invention in any other proper manner (for example, with the help of firmware).The functions described above herein can be executed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components. For example, without limitation, demonstration types of hardware logic components that can be used include: a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an application-specific standard product (ASSP), a system-on-chip (SOC), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and so on.Program codes for implementing the method of the present invention can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or another programmable data processing device, so that the program codes, when executed by the processor or controller, implement the functions / operations specified in the flow chart and / or block diagram. The program codes may be executed entirely on a machine, partially on a machine, partially on a machine and partially on a remote machine as a standalone software package, or entirely on a remote machine or server.In the context of the present invention, the machine-readable medium may be a tangible medium that may contain or store a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction executing system, apparatus, or device. The machine-readable medium may be a machine-readable signal medium or a machine-readable storage medium. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the above. More specific examples of the machine-readable storage medium would include an electrical connection based on one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a convenient compact disk ROM (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the above.The above descriptions are only specific implementations of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any of those skilled in the art can easily think of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope of the present invention, and these modifications or substitutions shall all be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A time-limited permissive signal clearing method for a TACS system based on train safety envelope expansion, comprising automatically expanding a train movement envelope after a wayside train controller (WTC) acquires a line resource, triggering the wayside train controller (WTC) to apply for clearing a permissive signal of a current signal within a limited time for a degraded train, and closing the permissive signal before a degraded train body completely passes through the signal.

2. The time-limited permissive signal clearing method for a TACS system based on train safety envelope expansion according to claim 1, specifically comprising the following steps:step S1. after a train loses train-ground communication during movement, inheriting, by the wayside train controller (WTC), a train safety envelope calculated for the train by a carborne controller (CC);step S2. automatically reissuing a movement mission of the train before degradation to the wayside train controller (WTC) taking over the train, and expanding the train safety envelope to a restrictive signal before a mission endpoint by an automatic train supervision system (ATS);step S3. driving, by a driver, the train to approach and stop steadily in front of the restrictive signal to complete a current movement mission, and issuing, by the automatic train supervision system (ATS), a next train movement mission;step S4. applying, by the wayside train controller (WTC), for the line resource according to a newly issued movement mission;step S5. calculating, by the wayside train controller (WTC), a guarantee of no train occupancy between the current signal and a next signal in the same direction;step S6. applying, by the wayside train controller (WTC), to a wayside resource controller (WRC) for clearing the permissive signal of the current signal within the limited time;step S7. driving, by the wayside resource controller (WRC), an object controller (OC) to illuminate a permissive light of the current signal within a limited time range; andstep S8. driving, by the driver, the train to run past the current signal within the limited time range.

3. The time-limited permissive signal clearing method for a TACS system based on train safety envelope expansion according to claim 2, wherein in step S1, after taking over the carborne controller (CC), the wayside train controller (WTC) completes application and release of the line resource and issues a signal lighting command for the train.

4. The time-limited permissive signal clearing method for a TACS system based on train safety envelope expansion according to claim 2, wherein in step S2, the wayside train controller (WTC) applies to the wayside resource controller (WRC) for a required line resource according to a train mission, and after acquiring all required line resources, expands the train safety envelope to the restrictive signal before the mission endpoint.

5. The time-limited permissive signal clearing method for a TACS system based on train safety envelope expansion according to claim 2, wherein in step S4, the wayside train controller (WTC) applies to the wayside resource controller (WRC) for a line resource between the current signal and the next signal in the same direction according to the newly issued movement mission.

6. The time-limited permissive signal clearing method for a TACS system based on train safety envelope expansion according to claim 2, wherein in step S5, the wayside train controller (WTC) establishes train-to-train communication with other trains on an entire line, and after acquiring safety positioning information of the other trains, calculates the guarantee of no train occupancy between the current signal and the next signal in the same direction.

7. The time-limited permissive signal clearing method for a TACS system based on train safety envelope expansion according to claim 6, wherein in step S6, after acquiring all required line resources, the wayside train controller (WTC) expands an endpoint of the train safety envelope from a current restrictive signal to the next signal in the same direction, and applies to the wayside resource controller (WRC) for clearing the permissive signal of the current signal within the limited time in combination with a guarantee of no other train occupancy in a protection section of the current signal.

8. The time-limited permissive signal clearing method for a TACS system based on train safety envelope expansion according to claim 2, wherein the limited time in step S6 is considered as a minimum time required, after a safety envelope of the degraded train is expanded, for the train to accelerate from standstill to a maximum speed limit for manual train movement until a train rear clears the current signal.

9. The time-limited permissive signal clearing method for a TACS system based on train safety envelope expansion according to claim 2, wherein in step S7, the wayside resource controller (WRC) drives the object controller (OC) to illuminate the permissive light of the current signal within the limited time range according to a time-limited permissive signal clearing request of the wayside train controller (WTC).

10. The time-limited permissive signal clearing method for a TACS system based on train safety envelope expansion according to claim 2, wherein in step S8, after visually observing the permissive light, the driver drives the train to run past the current signal, and when the limited time expires, the wayside resource controller (WRC) drives the object controller (OC) to switch to illuminate a restrictive light of the current signal.

11. An electronic device, comprising a memory and a processor, the memory having a computer program stored thereon, wherein the processor, when executing the program, implements the method according to any one of claims 1-10.

12. A computer-readable storage medium, having a computer program stored thereon, wherein the program, when executed by a processor, implements the method according to any one of claims 1-10. 

Images