Locating system for a vehicle having at least two locating devices, and method for operating same
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2024710633
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-03-23
- Filing Date
- 2024-02-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-28
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle positioning systems using multiple devices lack precision and reliability, particularly in determining vehicle location using balise signals, as they often rely on single measurements and fail to account for implausible crossing events.
A positioning system with at least two balise locating devices spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, where both devices are active and process crossing signals to form location information, allowing for multiple uses of balise signals for location determination and incorporating a processing device that updates location information based on distance measurements and crossing events.
This approach provides more precise and reliable location information by enabling multiple uses of balise signals, allowing for plausibility checks and improved accuracy through re-determination of location after each crossing event, enhancing vehicle tracking and control.
Smart Images
Figure EP2024054224_26092024_PF_FP
Abstract
Description
[0001] Description
[0002] Tracking system for a vehicle with at least two tracking devices and method for its operation
[0003] The invention relates, inter alia, to a positioning system for a vehicle for generating location information, wherein the positioning system is equipped with a plurality of positioning devices.
[0004] It is known to use two or more tracking devices based on different measurement principles to locate a vehicle. The measured values from several available tracking devices are used to generate location information that indicates the current position of the vehicle while driving.
[0005] The document DE 10 2021 114 656 A1 describes a method and a device for locating a rail-bound vehicle, in particular a magnetic levitation train, along a track. At least one sensor arranged on the vehicle scans a plurality of location markers arranged along the track. The position data assigned to the location markers are stored in a memory device. A section security computer, which is connected to the sensor and the memory device, compares the signals generated by the location markers with the stored position data to generate location data. The section security computer is connected to a vehicle security computer arranged in the vehicle, and location data from the section security computer is sent to the vehicle security computer.
[0006] The document DE 10 2015 203 476 A1 describes a method for determining the position of a track-guided vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, with location mark information provided by means of location marks on the track, with a respectively readjusted distance measuring device on the vehicle for obtaining position-determining distance measured values. The location mark information is recorded by means of a location mark information sensor connected to the distance measuring device. By means of a further location mark information sensor arranged offset in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to the one location mark information sensor, the location mark information for the same location mark is recorded again.
[0007] The invention is based on the object of specifying a positioning system which operates on the basis of at least two positioning devices and can provide particularly precise and reliable location information.
[0008] This object is achieved according to the invention by a positioning system having the features according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the positioning system according to the invention are specified in the subclaims.
[0009] According to this, it is provided that at least two of the locating devices are balise locating devices spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, each of which is suitable for receiving balise signals from trackside balises and for detecting overrun events, the locating system is designed to actively operate the at least two balise locating devices or at least two of the balise locating devices in parallel, and the locating system has a processing device which, after receiving each overrun signal from one of the actively operated balise locating devices indicating overrun of a balise, triggers a new determination of the location information.
[0010] According to the invention, components of the
[0011] positioning system into at least a first and a second
[0012] Train protection system are integrated, of which one is active during operation of the tracking system and the other or the others are only partially active, i.e. only partially active.
[0013] Each of the train protection systems is designed according to the invention to forward, in partially active operation, crossing signals from any balise detection devices connected to its own train protection system to the active train protection system and / or to process antenna signals from any balise antennas connected to its own train protection system to form crossing signals and to forward the formed crossing signals to the active train protection system.
[0014] According to the invention, each of the train protection systems is designed to work as a processing device during active operation and to process crossing signals from connected balise location devices and / or its own balise location modules to form the location information.
[0015] A key advantage of the positioning system according to the invention is that beacons located along the route can be used not just once to locate the vehicle, but twice or—in the case of more than two beacons located spaced apart in the vehicle's longitudinal direction—even more than twice. For example, if a vehicle passes a beacon at a relatively low speed or stops in its range after passing a beacon, the same beacon can be used again for positioning at a later time.
[0016] A further significant advantage of the locating system according to the invention is that, due to the at least two-fold use of a beacon, a plausibility check is possible; for example, overrun signals can be rejected if they indicate implausible overrun events. It is advantageous if at least one of the locating devices is a distance measuring device that generates distance measurement results during operation, and the processing device uses the distance measurement results of the distance measuring device and the detected overrun events to generate the location information.
[0017] It is particularly advantageous if the balise location devices determine the location of the overrun balise for each overrun event by forming a balise position and the processing device carries out the re-determination of the location information by re-determining the balise position of the overrun balise as the current location information of the vehicle after receiving each overrun signal or at least taking the balise position into account when determining the current location information.
[0018] After receiving each crossing signal, the processing device can advantageously take into account the balise position of the balise passed over when determining the current location information by setting the balise position as current location information taking into account the vehicle-internal position of the balise locating device providing the crossing signal.
[0019] If, for example, the location information is to refer to a specific point on the vehicle, such as the front or rear of the vehicle, the distance between the front or rear of the vehicle and the balise antenna of the balise locating device delivering the crossing signal can be taken into account by adding the distance to the determined balise position with the correct sign. It is advantageous if, after each new determination of the location information, the processing device subsequently updates it based on distance measurement results until the location information is re-determined after a new crossing event.
[0020] With regard to data transmission, it is considered advantageous if the balise locating devices, or at least one of them, are connected to the processing device via an on-board data bus and use this bus to communicate detected overrun events to the processing device. In the case of a multi-unit vehicle, such a data bus preferably extends through the entire vehicle and across the car couplings.
[0021] The balise locating devices connected via the vehicle's own data bus preferably communicate an identifier identifying the overrun balise and / or the time of the respective overrun event to the processing device for each overrun event. Alternatively or additionally, they can also communicate the balise location to the processing device if the balise has transmitted it or if the balise locating device already has knowledge of the balise location. The time of the overrun events can also be regarded as the time of arrival of the overrun signals in the processing device if delay times during signal transmission can or must be neglected, for example because the balise locating devices themselves do not transmit any reception times.
[0022] The processing device is preferably integrated into at least one train control system. Such integration can be provided, for example, in software form, for example, in the form of a software module integrated into the train control system. Such a software module can form a component of a computer program product that also contains the remaining working software for performing the train control function.
[0023] In an embodiment variant considered to be particularly advantageous, it is provided that a balise antenna of at least one of the balise locating devices is connected to the first train protection system and a balise detection module of this balise locating device, in particular in the form of a software module, is integrated into the first train protection system, a balise antenna of at least one of the balise locating devices is connected to the second train protection system and a balise detection module of this balise locating device, in particular in the form of a software module, is integrated into the second train protection system, and the function of the processing device is performed by the respectively active train protection system of the vehicle.
[0024] The processing device is preferably integrated into the train protection system in the form of a computer program product or component of a computer program product.
[0025] The invention further relates to a vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle. According to the invention, the vehicle is equipped with a tracking system as described above.
[0026] With regard to the advantages of the vehicle according to the invention and advantageous embodiments of the vehicle according to the invention, reference is made to the above statements in connection with the positioning system according to the invention and its advantageous embodiments.
[0027] It is advantageous if the vehicle has at least a first and a second train protection system, of which one is active and the other or the others are partially active, wherein each of the train protection systems is designed to forward, in partially active operation, crossing signals from any balise locating devices connected to its own train protection system to the active train protection system and / or to process antenna signals from any balise antennas connected to its own train protection system to form crossing signals and to forward the formed crossing signals to the active train protection system.
[0028] In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the vehicle is at least two-part and comprises two end cars forming the ends of the vehicle, wherein the first train protection system is arranged in one of the end cars and the second train protection system is arranged in the other end car.
[0029] The function of the processing device is preferably performed by the active train protection system of the vehicle. The function of the processing device is preferably integrated into the or each of the train protection systems in the form of a computer program product or component of a computer program product.
[0030] The invention further relates to a method for operating a locating system for the purpose of generating location information, wherein the locating system is equipped with a plurality of locating devices.
[0031] According to the invention, with regard to such a method, it is provided that two or more balise locating devices, which are suitable for receiving balise signals from trackside balises and for detecting overrun events, are actively operated in parallel and, after receipt of each overrun signal indicating overrun of a balise from one of the actively operated balise locating devices, a new determination of the location information is triggered.
[0032] With regard to the advantages of the method according to the invention and advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention, reference is made to the above statements in connection with the locating system according to the invention and its advantageous embodiments.
[0033] The invention further relates to a computer program product for a rail vehicle. According to the invention, such a computer program product comprises program instructions which, when executed by a computing device, in particular a computing device of a train protection system, cause the latter, together with balise locating devices and / or balise antennas, to carry out a method as described above or to form a processing device of the locating system as described above.
[0034] With regard to the advantages of the computer program product according to the invention and advantageous embodiments of the computer program product according to the invention, reference is made to the above statements in connection with the locating system according to the invention and its advantageous embodiments.
[0035] The computer program product preferably comprises a balise detection software module which, when executed by the computing unit, together with a balise antenna forms a balise locating device as described above.
[0036] It is particularly advantageous if a vehicle control unit (train control unit) or a vehicle safety system (train safety system) of the vehicle is programmed with a computer program product as described above in order to carry out the described locating method using on-board balise locating devices.
[0037] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments; in the following, by way of example: Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a rail vehicle according to the invention, which is equipped with an exemplary embodiment of a locating system according to the invention, during a journey towards a beacon ahead, wherein an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention is also explained with reference to Figure 1,
[0038] Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a rail vehicle according to the invention, a variant of the first embodiment according to Figure 1,
[0039] Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a rail vehicle according to the invention, a variant of the second embodiment according to Figure 2,
[0040] Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a train protection system for the rail vehicle according to Figure 3, wherein the train protection system is equipped with an embodiment of a computer program product according to the invention, and
[0041] Figure 5 shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of a rail vehicle according to the invention, which is equipped with a further exemplary embodiment of a locating system according to the invention, wherein a further exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention is also explained with reference to Figure 5.
[0042] For the sake of clarity, the same reference numerals are used throughout the figures for identical or comparable components. Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a rail vehicle 1 according to the invention, which is located on a track system 2 and travels along a direction of travel F toward a balise 3 integrated into the track system 2.
[0043] The rail vehicle 1 is equipped with a locating system 20 which, in the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 1, comprises a front balise locating device 21, as seen in the direction of travel F, and a rear balise locating device 22, as seen in the direction of travel F. The two balise locating devices 21 and 22 are therefore arranged offset in the longitudinal direction of the rail vehicle 1 and are spaced apart by a distance A. Each of the two balise locating devices 21 and 22 is equipped with a balise antenna 21a or 22a.
[0044] The locating system 20 according to Figure 1 also has one or more other locating devices, of which a distance measuring device 23 is shown as an example in Figure 1.
[0045] The two balise locating devices 21 and 22 and the distance measuring device 23 are connected to a processing device 24 of the locating system 20.
[0046] The positioning system 20 or the rail vehicle 1 according to Figure 1 preferably operates as follows:
[0047] As soon as the rail vehicle 1 passes the beacon 3 with the front beacon locating device 21 or its beacon antenna 21a while traveling along the direction of travel F, this front beacon locating device 21 will generate a first crossing signal S1, which is sent to the processing device 24. Upon receipt of the first crossing signal S1, the processing device 24 will trigger a redetermination of location information 01 indicating the position of the rail vehicle 1.
[0048] In the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 1, it is assumed, by way of example, that the distance measuring device 23 continuously transmits distance measurement results dX in the form of incremental data to the processing device 24. Such incremental data can be rotation angle incremental data that indicate a rotation of a wheel of the rail vehicle 1 and thus enable the processing device 24, knowing the diameter of the respective wheel, to determine a corresponding traveled distance increment.
[0049] Alternatively, the distance measuring device 23 may also be another type of measuring device that can detect traveled distance increments and transmit them as corresponding distance measurement results dX to the processing device 24. For example, the distance measuring device 23 may be a radar device that generates the corresponding increment data.
[0050] Before the processing device 24 triggers a new determination of the location information 01, it will, for example, evaluate an identifier transmitted by the balise 3 and, based on the identifier and an internal route atlas, determine at which point the balise 3 is located in the track system 2 or where the rail vehicle 1 with its front balise locating device 21 or its balise antenna 21a was located when it passed over this balise 3.
[0051] Alternatively or additionally, the balise 3 can also communicate its respective location in the track system 2 itself, so that the processing device 24 can directly use the communicated balise position when updating or re-establishing the location information 01. It is advantageous if the front locating device 21 also transmits the time of the crossing event to the processing device 24 with the crossing signal S1, so that the processing device 24 can also take this time into account when further updating the location information 01; if such a crossing time is not communicated, the processing device 24 can alternatively also use the time of receipt of the crossing signal S1 in the processing device 24.
[0052] The location information 01 which the processing device 24 outputs can generally relate to the rail vehicle 1 as such, thus neglecting where the balise locating device providing the crossing signal is arranged within the rail vehicle 1.
[0053] In the following, it is assumed by way of example that the location information 01 which the processing device 24 outputs on the output side should refer to the location of the front balise locating device 21, so that upon receipt of a first crossing signal S 1 of this front balise locating device 21, the balise location of this balise 3 can be immediately set as new location information 01.
[0054] After the location information 01 has been re-established, the processing device 24 can then use the distance measurement results dX, that is to say, for example, the mentioned increment data such as rotation angle increment data or distance increment data, of the distance measuring device 23 in order to update the location information 01 accordingly.
[0055] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the
[0056] Rail vehicle 1 shortly after the front balise locating device 21 has passed over the balise 3, the rear balise locating device 22 also passes over the balise 3, so that the processing device 24 is informed of the corresponding second passing event by the rear balise locating device 22 in the form of a second passing signal S2.
[0057] As soon as the processing device 24 receives the second crossing signal S2, it will again trigger a re-determination of the location information 01 by re-determining the balise position of the over-traveled balise 3 as the current location information of the rear balise locating device 22 of the rail vehicle 1.
[0058] If - as already mentioned - the location information 01 output on the output side is to specifically relate to the location of the front balise locating device 21, the processing device 24 will preferably also take into account the distance A between the two balise locating devices 21 and 22: For example, it can calculate the location information 01 relating to the location of the front balise locating device 21 by adding the said distance A to the balise position of the balise 3 and setting this sum as the new location information 01.
[0059] Figure 2 shows a variant of the embodiment according to Figure 1. In the variant according to Figure 2, the balise locating devices 21 and 22 and the distance measuring device 23 are connected to the processing device 24 via a data bus 25 of the rail vehicle 1 and transmit their respective signals or measurement results via this bus.
[0060] Furthermore, the above explanations in connection with Figure 1 apply accordingly to the embodiment according to Figure 2. Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the embodiment according to Figure 2. In the embodiment according to Figure 3, the front balise locating device 21 and the processing device 24 are integrated into a train protection system 100 of the rail vehicle 1. The rear balise locating device 22 and the distance measuring device 23 are connected via the data bus 25 to the train protection system 100 and thus to the processing device 24, as has already been explained in connection with Figures 1 and 2.
[0061] Figure 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a train protection system 100 that can be used in the rail vehicle 1 according to Figure 3. The train protection system 100 comprises a computing device 110 that is connected to a memory 120.
[0062] A train protection software module ZUS is stored in the memory 120 which, when executed by the computing device 110, ensures the train protection functionality of a train protection device as is generally known.
[0063] In addition, a processing software module VM is stored in the memory 120, which, when executed by the computing device 110, forms the processing device 24, as explained above in connection with Figures 1-3.
[0064] Also stored in the memory 120 is a balise detection software module BEM, which, when executed by the computing device 110, serves to form, together with an associated balise antenna 21a / 21b, a balise locating device, for example one of the balise locating devices 21 or 22 shown in Figures 1 to 3. The train protection software module ZUS, the processing software module VM, and the balise detection software module BEM are preferably components of a computer program product CPP that is installed in the train protection system 100.
[0065] Figure 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a multi-unit rail vehicle 1 in the form of a railway train, which comprises a front end car 11 in the direction of travel F in Figure 5, a rear end car 12 and one or more middle cars 13. A data bus 25 extends through the rail vehicle 1 and thus through all the cars, as already explained in connection with Figures 2 and 3.
[0066] The rail vehicle 1 comprises two train protection systems 100, for example those as explained above in connection with Figure 4.
[0067] In the following, it is assumed by way of example that the front train protection system 100 located in the front end car 11 and in the direction of travel F operates actively and the rear train protection system 100 located in the rear end car 12 is operated partially actively.
[0068] For the train protection system 100 located in the front car 11, this means that its train protection software module ZUS (see Figure 4) is actively operated and the train protection function is performed by the front train protection system 100. In addition, the processing software module VM and the balise detection software module BEM are actively operated, so that the front train protection system 100 in the front end car 11 also performs the function of the processing device 24 and the front balise locating device 21 according to Figures 1 to 3. The rear train protection system 100 arranged in the rear end car 12 is instead only partially active; this means that neither its train protection software module ZUS nor its processing software module VM are actively operated or are executed by the computing device 110, as indicated by the reference symbols ZUS and VM.The computing device 110 only executes the balise detection software module BEM, so that the rear train protection system 100 only works as a rear balise location device 22.
[0069] Alternatively, the rear train protection system 100 located in the rear end car 12 could also be actively operated; in this case, the train protection system 100 located in the front car would only be partially active. In the latter scenario, the train protection system 100 located in the front car would function only as the front balise detection device 21, and the train protection function and the function of the processing device 24 would be performed by the rear train protection system 100 located in the rear end car 12.
[0070] It is advantageous if the rear train protection system 100 arranged in the rear end car 12 is actively operated when the railway train is traveling opposite to the direction of travel F shown in Figure 5 or from right to left in Figure 5. In such a case, the left train protection system 100 in Figure 5 is preferably operated as the front train protection system and the right train protection system 100 in Figure 5 is preferably operated as the rear train protection system, as explained above; in such a case, the location information 01 is preferably related to the left balise locating device or the then front balise locating device.
[0071] Finally, it should be mentioned that the features of all the embodiments described above can be combined with one another in any desired manner in order to form further other embodiments of the invention.
[0072] All features of subclaims may also be combined individually with each of the subordinate claims, either individually or in any combination with one or more other subclaims, to obtain further alternative embodiments. Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female, or other gender identities are included.
[0073] Reference symbol list
[0074] 1 rail vehicle
[0075] 2 track system
[0076] 3 beacons
[0077] 11 front end car
[0078] 12 rear end car
[0079] 13 medium cars
[0080] 20 tracking system
[0081] 21 front balise detection device
[0082] 21a balise antenna
[0083] 22 rear balise location device
[0084] 22a balise antenna
[0085] 23 Distance measuring device
[0086] 24 processing facility
[0087] 25 data bus
[0088] 100 train protection system
[0089] 110 Computing device
[0090] 120 memory
[0091] A distance
[0092] BEM bali sensing software module
[0093] CPP computer program product dX distance measurement results
[0094] F Direction of travel
[0095] 01 Location information
[0096] 51 crossing signal
[0097] 52 crossing signal
[0098] VM processing software module
[0099] VM processing software module inactive
[0100] ZUS train protection software module
[0101] ZUS train protection software module inactive
Claims
Patent claims 1. Positioning system (20) for a vehicle (1) for generating location information (01), wherein - the locating system (20) is equipped with a plurality of locating devices (21-23), - at least two of the locating devices (21-23) are balise locating devices (21-22) spaced apart in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, each of which is suitable for receiving balise signals from trackside balises (3) and for detecting overrun events, - the locating system (20) is designed to actively operate the at least two balise locating devices (21-22) or at least two of the balise locating devices (21-22) in parallel, and - the locating system (20) has a processing device (24) which, upon receipt of each crossing signal indicating a crossing of a beacon from one of the actively operated beacon locating devices (21-22), triggers a new determination of the location information (OI), characterized in that - components of the locating system (20) are integrated into at least a first and a second train protection system (100), of which one is active and the other or the others are partially active during operation of the locating system (20), - wherein each of the train protection systems (100) is designed to forward, in partially active operation, crossing signals (SI, S2) of any balise locating devices (21-22) connected to its own train protection system (100) to the active train protection system (100) and / or antenna signals to its own train protection system (100) connected balise antennas (21a, 22a) to form crossing signals (SI, S2) and to forward the formed crossing signals (SI, S2) to the active train protection system (100) and - wherein each of the train protection systems (100) is designed to generate crossing signals (S1, S2) connected balise location devices (21-22) and / or own balise detection modules (BEM) to form the location information (01).
2. Location system (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that - at least one of the locating devices (21-23) is a distance measuring device (23) which generates distance measurement results (dX) during operation, and - the processing device (24) uses the distance measurement results (dX) of the distance measuring device (23) and the recorded overrun events to form the location information (01).
3. Location system (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the balise location devices (21-22) for each Overrun event determine the location of the overrun beacon (3) by forming a beacon position and - the processing device (24) carries out the re-determination of the location information (01) by re-determining the beacon position of the beacon (3) passed over as the current location information (01) of the vehicle (1) after receiving each crossing signal or by at least taking the beacon position into account when re-determining the current location information (01).
4. Positioning system (20) according to claim 3, characterized in that the processing device (24) after each new determination of the location information (01) subsequently updates this on the basis of distance measurement results (dX) until a new determination of the location information (01) takes place after a new overrun event.
5. Location system (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the balise locating devices (21-22) or at least one of them are connected to the processing device (24) via a vehicle-specific data bus (25) and communicate detected overrun events to the processing device (24) via this bus.
6. Locating system (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the balise locating devices (21-22) connected via the vehicle's own data bus (25) each communicate to the processing device (24) an identifier identifying the balise (3) traveled over and / or the time of the travel over event.
7. Location system (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processing device (24), in particular in the form of a software module, is integrated into at least one train protection system (100).
8. Location system (20) according to claim 7, characterized in that - a balise antenna (21a, 22a) of at least one of the balise locating devices (21-22) is connected to the first train protection system (100) and a balise detection module (BEM) of this balise locating device (21, 22), in particular in the form of a software module, is integrated into the first train protection system (100), - a balise antenna (21a, 22a) of at least one of the balise locating devices (21-22) is connected to the second train protection system (100) and a balise detection module (BEM) of this balise locating device (21, 22), in particular in the form a software module integrated into the second train protection system (100), and - the function of the processing device (24) is performed by the respective active train protection system (100) of the vehicle (1).
9. Vehicle (1), in particular a rail vehicle, characterized in that the vehicle (1) is equipped with a positioning system (20) according to one of the preceding claims.
10. Vehicle (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that - the vehicle (1) has at least a first and a second train protection system (100), one of which is active and the other or the others are partially active, - wherein each of the train protection systems (100) is designed to transmit, in partially active operation, crossing signals (SI, S2) of any balise locating devices (21-22) connected to the respective own train protection system (100) to the active train protection system (100) and / or balise antenna signals of any balise antennas (21a, 22a) connected to the respective own train protection system (100) to form to process crossing signals (SI, S2) and to forward the generated crossing signals (SI, S2) to the active train protection system (100).
11. Vehicle (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that - the vehicle (1) is at least two-part and comprises two end carriages (11, 12) forming the ends of the vehicle (1), - wherein the first train protection system (100) is arranged in one of the end cars (11) and the second train protection system (100) is arranged in the other end car (12).
12. Vehicle (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the function of the processing device (24) is performed by the respective active train protection system (100) of the vehicle (1) and is integrated into the train protection system (100) in the form of a computer program product.
13. Method for operating a location system (20) for the purpose of generating location information (01), wherein - the locating system (20) is equipped with a plurality of locating devices (21-23), - two or more balise detection devices (21-22) which are suitable for receiving balise signals from trackside balises (3) and detecting overrun events are actively operated in parallel and - after receiving each crossing signal of one of the actively operated balise locating devices (21-22) indicating a crossing of a balise (3), a new determination of the location information (01) is triggered, characterized in that - components of the locating system (20) are integrated into at least a first and a second train protection system (100), of which one is active and the other or the others are partially active during operation of the locating system (20), - wherein each of the train protection systems (100) in partially active operation forwards crossing signals (SI, S2) of any balise locating devices (21-22) connected to its own train protection system (100) to the active train protection system (100) and / or forwards antenna signals to its own train protection system (100) connected balise antennas (21a, 22a) to form crossing signals (SI, S2) and to forward the formed crossing signals (SI, S2) to the active train protection system (100) and - wherein each of the train protection systems (100) in active operation has crossing signals (SI, S2) of connected balise detection devices (21-22) and / or its own Balisenerf assungsmodule (BEM) to form the location information (01).
14. Computer program product (CPP) comprising instructions which, when executed by a computing device (110), in particular a computing device (110) of a train protection system (100), cause the latter, together with balise locating devices (21-22) and / or balise antennas (21a, 22a), to carry out a method according to claim 13 or to form a processing device (24) of the locating system (20) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 8.