Method for providing departure authorization for a rail vehicle located in a stopping section

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method for providing a departure authorization for a rail vehicle located in a stopping section, comprising the following steps: a) providing a control system for the dispatch of the rail vehicle within a rail network; b) providing timetable data for the rail vehicle on a mobile communication device via the control system; c) providing a specific application accessible by the mobile communication device, with which a departure readiness of the rail vehicle is triggered for a selectable data set of timetable data; d) transmitting the departure readiness to a vehicle device in the driver's cab of the rail vehicle; and e) reporting the receipt of the departure readiness at the vehicle device to the mobile communication device.In this way, the data required to issue the departure clearance can be obtained directly from the control system and displayed accordingly on the mobile communication device for the train attendant. It should be noted that the term "rail vehicle" can also refer to an entire train or train set. The attendant can then acknowledge the readiness for departure of their rail vehicle on the mobile communication device with a simple action. This acknowledgment is then transmitted via the control system and / or the rail vehicle's data bus to the driver's cab and is thus visible to the driver. This eliminates all trackside and signal box installations while simultaneously reducing the time required to establish departure readiness due to the digitized process.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for providing a departure permit for a rail vehicle located in a stopping section.

[0002] In rail-based transport, trains travel along the railway network along routes that are requested by a control system at the dispatching train control level. This request can be triggered automatically if the trains are running according to schedule and a sequence of previously planned routes is therefore planned. In the event of deviations from the timetable or other deviating interventions, the routes are requested manually by the train dispatcher. Each requested route is only set by a control unit (central or decentralized) when the track elements (switches, signals, block clearance detection, moving block in the ETCS) for this route are available and can be set accordingly and blocked against other use by competing routes. After the route has been traveled orof the track elements contained therein, this blocking is lifted and the track elements are again available for setting new routes.

[0003] This aforementioned procedure for providing routes also applies when a train departs from a station stop. A train driver can only leave the station, i.e., only start driving again, when the required connecting route to the stopping section has been set and permission has been granted either via a green signal light and / or corresponding information on the display of the on-board unit (OBU), and when the train conductor has also reported that the train is ready to depart.

[0004] While setting the route is implemented as an automatic process with timetable adherence, signaling readiness to depart still requires considerable effort on the part of the train attendant and the installed equipment, such as interlocking components, switch boxes, etc. Depending on the regulations for a train's departure, this usually still means that the train attendant must first prevent a train door from blocking and then go to a switch box located on the trackside with a key and turn the key to signal readiness to depart. This readiness to depart must then be routed via the interlocking and also signaled to the train driver. The train attendant must then re-enter the train at the door they reserved and then close this door as well. If the corresponding signal light is now present for the train driver, they can depart after closing this last door.

[0005] It is easy to understand that this procedure cannot be considered an efficient way of conducting train dispatch (issuing departure permission) and thus a positive impact on timetable stability. It requires significant interlocking components and thus entails costs for their acquisition, operation, and maintenance. Furthermore, improving passenger safety and increasing the level of digitalization in rail operations would also be desirable.

[0006] The present invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a method for providing a departure permit for a rail vehicle located in a stopping section, which method entails a reduction in the effort and an improved sequence of processes for issuing the departure permit.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by a method for providing a departure permit for a rail vehicle located in a stopping section, which method comprises the following steps: a) Providing a control system for scheduling the rail vehicle within a rail network; b) Providing timetable data for the rail vehicle on a mobile communication device by the control system; c) Providing a specific application accessible from the mobile communication device with which the rail vehicle is ready to depart for a selectable data set of the timetable data is triggered; d) Transmitting the readiness to depart to an on-board device in the driver's cab of the rail vehicle; and e) Reporting the receipt of the readiness to depart from the on-board device to the mobile communication device.

[0008] In this way, the data required to issue the departure authorization can be obtained directly from the control system and displayed accordingly on the train conductor's mobile communications device. It should be noted here that the term "rail vehicle" can also refer to an entire train or train composition. The conductor can then confirm that his or her rail vehicle is ready to depart with a simple operation on the mobile communications device. This confirmation is then transmitted via the control system and / or the rail vehicle's data bus to the driver's cab, where it is visible to the train driver. This eliminates all track- and signal box-side installations, while the time required to establish departure readiness is simultaneously shortened thanks to the digitalized process.

[0009] In a useful development of the present invention, it can be provided that, for triggering readiness for departure within the specific application, a train number, a departure station, a departure track, and a scheduled departure time are displayed on a display of the mobile communication device for each selectable data set. Furthermore, or alternatively, it can be possible for, for triggering readiness for departure within the application, a display of the mobile communication device to indicate for each selectable data set whether the rail vehicle is even a candidate for a possible readiness for departure notification from a control system perspective.In addition, to provide the train attendant with better information, it is useful if, for the purpose of triggering the readiness to depart, a display on the mobile communication device for each selectable data set is shown within the specific application, indicating whether a route has been set that follows the stopping section and is required for the departure of the rail vehicle from a control technology perspective.

[0010] In a logically sensible allocation of the visibility of tasks for a train attendant, it can be provided that the mobile communications device is intended for a train attendant in such a way that a train attendant application running on the mobile communications device can enable access to the specific application. This allows the train attendant to see on the designated train attendant application which rail vehicle / train they are to escort. Furthermore, the train attendant application can show them which other train attendants are traveling with them on the same train (on long trains). If they have to stay overnight at a destination, they could also be shown the hotel booked for them, etc.By simply pressing a corresponding field in the train attendant application, he can then call up the specific application that indicates the train for departure clearance and allows him to signal readiness for departure to the train driver, for example by entering a specific character pattern or a number combination.

[0011] It can also be provided that the specific application is terminated after the on-board device has received feedback that the train is ready to depart and, if necessary, a return to the train attendant application is made.

[0012] With regard to the concept of the control system perspective, it may be planned that, from a control system perspective, a review of the respective operating situation on the rail network for the rail vehicle is carried out based on the data available in the control system. This will usually also involve reference to the existing driving regulations, so that appropriate operating situations, such as the granting of departure permission, etc., can be derived from the current data and the associated regulations.

[0013] Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention can be found in the remaining subclaims.

[0014] Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an overview image of a train attendant application for a train attendant that is executed on a mobile communication system; Figure 2 shows a schematic view of an image displayed on a mobile user device for the train attendant; (a) image when the train is not ready to depart and (b) image when the train is ready to depart; Figure 3 shows a schematic view of the train dispatch process as it appears to the train attendant using images a) to d) in the specific application on his mobile communication device; and Figure 4 shows a schematic view of the data available to the train driver after a departure permit has been issued.

[0015] The following describes a method for providing a departure permit for a rail vehicle located in a stopping section. This method is essentially based on the following steps. Central to this method is the presence of or access to a train attendant application on a mobile communications device for the train attendant and a corresponding view on the onboard unit in the driver's cab for the train driver, as well as the exchange of data between the mobile communications device, the onboard unit, and a control system for dispatching rail traffic within a specific section where a train scheduled to depart from a stopping area (a train stopping at a station) is currently located, which is not described in further detail here.

[0016] The starting point for providing a departure permit for the train in the stopping section is, first of all, the provision of the control system, with which rail traffic in the designated track network is controlled from a control center. The train attendant sees, for example, an image on his web-based train attendant application, such as the one shown in the Figure 1 It informs the driver about his work assignments and also allows him to see an overview of his scheduled train journeys according to the train attendant application. By pressing the symbol , which is only connected to the data for the planned train journeys, the change from the train attendant application to a specific WEB application for the dispatch of a train takes place.

[0017] The Figure 2 now shows a schematic view of the design of the specific application for the departure release. Figure 2a now shows the situation where the switch to the specific application occurs before the train route is set for onward travel, i.e., the exit signal is not yet green. The train attendant sees this via the "In progress" entry on the display of their mobile communication device, which is usually a smartphone or tablet. The train is therefore not yet ready for departure. The train attendant is also shown the train number.

[0018] As soon as the train route is set for the onward journey, the train attendant is automatically shown the image according to Figure 2b ) is displayed. The train is now ready for departure according to the applicable departure regulations. The train number, departure station, platform, and scheduled departure time are displayed. The location at the scheduled departure time is also shown. Significant in Figure 2b) is the entry "Next departure: Brig, platform 11, 12:02, as well as the circle shown below. If the jump to the specific application occurs when the train route is already set for the onward journey, the train attendant will immediately see the image according to Figure 2b ) is displayed. The train is now ready for departure.

[0019] Figure 3 now shows the process of dispatching the train, as it appears to the train attendant based on the images in the specific application on his mobile communication device: If all conditions for dispatching the train are met according to the operating instructions, the train attendant can trigger the dispatch by a circular movement completing a colored circle, as shown in Figure 3a ). It should be noted here that, in principle, another mechanism can also be provided to trigger the readiness to depart.

[0020] When the circle is complete, the circle changes color and an inner rotating circle indicates that the train dispatch is being transmitted, as in Figure 3b ) is shown. If the circle is displayed in green, the dispatch (readiness to depart) has now been transmitted to the train driver, the circle changes its color again, e.g. to green (see Figure 3c ). As soon as the train dispatch is displayed to the driver, the train attendant receives feedback that the dispatch was successful, as described in Figure 3d ) with the text "Dispatch successful". By clicking on the "CLOSE" button, the view returns to the general train attendant application, as shown in Figure 1 is shown.

[0021] In the Figure 4The driver's view is now shown schematically on the display of his onboard unit. When a train has been dispatched by the conductor, this is displayed to the driver in his driver application. The lettering in the lower part of the Figure 4 with the content "Departure permit for Täsch (TAES) granted".

[0022] With the introduction of this procedure, existing departure signals as additional signals at the main signal are replaced by a mobile solution (here the specific application for departure readiness) and the following objectives are achieved: i) Interlocking components for the departure signal and the switch box are eliminated; ii) Fixed installations (button box and departure signal on the platform and in the safety system in the stations) are eliminated; iii) Cost savings are achieved in acquisition, operation and maintenance; iv) Dispatch times (timetable stability) and passenger safety are improved; and v) the degree of digitalization is increased.

Claims

1. A method for providing a departure permit for a rail vehicle located in a stopping section, comprising the following steps: a) providing a control system for scheduling the rail vehicle within a rail network; b) providing timetable data for the rail vehicle on a mobile communication device by the control system; c) providing a specific application accessible by the mobile communication device with which the rail vehicle is ready to depart for a selectable data set of the timetable data is triggered; d) transmitting the readiness to depart to an on-board device in the driver's cab of the rail vehicle; and e) reporting the receipt of the readiness to depart at the on-board device to the mobile communication device.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in thatIn order to trigger readiness for departure, a train number, a departure station, a departure platform and a scheduled departure time are displayed on a display of the mobile communication device for each selectable data set within the specific application.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that For triggering readiness to depart, the application displays on a display of the mobile communication device for each selectable data set whether the rail vehicle is, from a control technology perspective, a candidate for a possible readiness to depart message.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatFor triggering the readiness to depart, within the framework of the specific application, a display of the mobile communication device is shown for each selectable data set whether a route has been set that follows the stopping section and is required for the departure of the rail vehicle from a control technology perspective.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mobile communication device is intended for use by a train attendant, whereby a train attendant application running on the mobile communication device enables the train attendant to access the specific application.

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the specific application is terminated after the on-board unit has received feedback that the train is ready to depart and, if necessary, a return to the train attendant application is made.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatFrom a control technology perspective, an examination of the respective operating situation on the rail network for the rail vehicle is carried out using the data available in the control system.

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