Wireless train control system and wireless train control method

Abstract

A wireless train control system (1) comprises: an on-board server (14a) that performs control for transmitting, to a calculation server (40), information regarding a first kilometer distance indicating the position of a first lead car of a train (10) in which a plurality of car formations (17a, 17d, 17g) are coupled when a first on-board wireless station of the first lead car is handed over, and information regarding a second kilometer distance indicating the position of the first lead car when a second on-board wireless station of a second lead car of the train (10) is handed over; the calculation server (40), which calculates the kilometer distance difference between the second kilometer distance and the first kilometer distance; a train information management device (15a) that stores information regarding the number of cars in a car formation (17a) and acquires, from the other car formations (17d, 17g), information regarding the number of cars therein; and an on-board control device (16a) that compares a first number of cars obtained by dividing the kilometer distance difference by the car length and a second number of cars obtained by adding together the number of cars in each of the car formations (17a, 17d, 17g) included in the train (10), and that, if the first number of cars and the second number of cars match, calculates the train length of the train (10).

Description

Radio train control system and radio train control method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a radio train control system and a radio train control method for performing radio train control.

[0002] Conventionally, radio train control systems perform radio train control by determining the train intervals between each of the trains to be controlled. In order for the radio train control system to determine the train intervals, the on-board control devices that constitute the radio train control system need to accurately determine the train positions and train lengths. Patent Document 1 discloses technology for a train control system that calculates train length using position information for the lead car of the train and position information for the tail car of the train. The train control system described in Patent Document 1 is thought to be applicable to trains in which multiple formations are coupled together.

[0003] JP 2011-189863 A

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional technology assumes that each car of a train is equipped with an on-board radio device and that the train runs on a sparsely populated railway line, which means that it cannot be applied when the train includes cars that do not have on-board radio devices or when the train runs on a congested railway line.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a radio train control system that can improve the accuracy of calculating the train length of a train in which multiple formations are coupled together.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the wireless train control system of the present disclosure controls to transmit, from the first on-board wireless station to a calculation server, first kilometer information, which is the kilometer distance indicating the position of a first leading car when a first on-board wireless station of a first leading car at the front in the traveling direction of a train made up of a plurality of coupled formations has handed over from a first base station to a second base station, and controls to calculate, from the first on-board wireless station, second kilometer information, which is the kilometer distance indicating the position of the first leading car when a second on-board wireless station of a second leading car at the rear in the traveling direction of the train has handed over from the first base station to a second base station. the first number of cars of the train obtained by dividing the kilometer difference by the length of the cars that make up the train, and the second number of cars of the train obtained by adding the number of cars of each train included in the train, and calculates the train length if the first number of cars and the second number of cars match.

[0007] The radio train control system of the present disclosure has the effect of being able to improve the accuracy of calculating the train length of a train in which multiple formations are coupled together.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a radio train control system according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a failure occurs in a train information management device in a radio train control system according to an embodiment; FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of a radio train control system according to an embodiment for calculating the train length; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of a calculation server provided in a radio train control system according to an embodiment; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which a vehicle at the rear of a train in the direction of travel has handed over its connected base station in a radio train control system according to an embodiment;

[0009] Hereinafter, a radio train control system and a radio train control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a radio train control system 1 according to this embodiment. The radio train control system 1 includes a train 10, base stations 20a and 20b, ground antennas 21a and 21b, a central unit 30, a processing server 40, and a monitoring terminal 50.

[0011] The base station 20a communicates wirelessly with the train 10 via the ground antenna 21a. The base station 20b communicates wirelessly with the train 10 via the ground antenna 21b. The base stations 20a, 20b and the ground antennas 21a, 21b are installed on the ground. The ground antennas 21a, 21b are, for example, but not limited to, LCX (Leaky Coaxial Cable) antennas. As shown in FIG. 1 , the train 10 is traveling to the right in FIG. 1 , and as the train 10 moves, it hands over from the base station 20a to the base station 20b. A general method for the train 10 to hand over from the base station 20a to the base station 20b may be used, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the following description, the base station 20a may be referred to as the first base station, and the base station 20b may be referred to as the second base station. Furthermore, when the base stations 20a and 20b are not distinguished, they will be referred to as the base station 20, and when the ground antennas 21a and 21b are not distinguished, they will be referred to as the ground antenna 21. Although the illustration in FIG. 1 is simplified, the wireless train control system 1 actually includes three or more base stations 20 and three or more ground antennas 21 .

[0012] The central unit 30 is installed on the ground and outputs information received by the base stations 20a, 20b to the calculation server 40 and the monitoring terminal 50. In addition, the central unit 30 outputs information acquired from the calculation server 40 to the base stations 20a, 20b. The calculation server 40 calculates a kilometer-distance difference, which is the difference in kilometer-distance acquired from the train 10. Detailed operation of the calculation server 40 will be described later. The monitoring terminal 50 monitors the control status of the wireless train control system 1. The monitoring terminal 50 is a terminal device used, for example, by a commander at a control center who manages the operation of the train 10.

[0013] The configuration of the train 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1 , the train 10 is composed of cars 11a to 11i. Furthermore, the train set 17a is composed of cars 11a to 11c, the train set 17d is composed of cars 11d to 11f, and the train set 17g is composed of cars 11g to 11i. That is, the train 10 is composed of cars 17a, 17d, and 17g. In the following description, the cars 11a to 11i will be referred to as cars 11 when they are not distinguished, and the train sets 17a, 17d, and 17g will be referred to as cars 17 when they are not distinguished. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the train 10 is composed of nine cars 11, i.e., three train sets 17, but this is not limiting. The train 10 may be composed of eight or fewer cars 11 or ten or more cars 11, or may be composed of two or fewer or four or more train sets 17. In this embodiment, the train 10 is composed of a plurality of coupled train sets 17.

[0014] Car 11a is equipped with an on-board antenna 12a, an on-board radio station 13a, an on-board server 14a, a train information management device 15a, and an on-board control device 16a. Car 11b is equipped with a train information management device 15b. Car 11c is equipped with an on-board antenna 12c, an on-board radio station 13c, an on-board server 14c, a train information management device 15c, and an on-board control device 16c. Car 11d is equipped with an on-board antenna 12d, an on-board radio station 13d, an on-board server 14d, a train information management device 15d, and an on-board control device 16d. Car 11e is equipped with a train information management device 15e. Car 11f is equipped with an on-board antenna 12f, an on-board radio station 13f, an on-board server 14f, a train information management device 15f, and an on-board control device 16f. The vehicle 11g includes an on-board antenna 12g, an on-board radio station 13g, an on-board server 14g, a train information management device 15g, and an on-board control device 16g. The vehicle 11h includes a train information management device 15h. The vehicle 11i includes an on-board antenna 12i, an on-board radio station 13i, an on-board server 14i, a train information management device 15i, and an on-board control device 16i.

[0015] In the following explanation, when the on-board antennas 12a, 12c, 12d, 12f, 12g, and 12i are not distinguished, they will be referred to as on-board antennas 12; when the on-board radio stations 13a, 13c, 13d, 13f, 13g, and 13i are not distinguished, they will be referred to as on-board radio stations 13; when the on-board servers 14a, 14c, 14d, 14f, 14g, and 14i are not distinguished, they will be referred to as on-board servers 14; when the train information management devices 15a to 15i are not distinguished, they will be referred to as train information management devices 15; and when the on-board control devices 16a, 16c, 16d, 16f, 16g, and 16i are not distinguished, they will be referred to as on-board control devices 16.

[0016] In the state of each formation 17 before the formations 17a, 17d, and 17g are coupled to form the train 10, cars 11a, 11c, 11d, 11f, 11g, and 11i are leading cars, and cars 11b, 11e, and 11h are intermediate cars. That is, when the formations 17 are not coupled, the leading car 11 is equipped with an on-board antenna 12, an on-board radio station 13, an on-board server 14, a train information management device 15, and an on-board control device 16, and the intermediate car 11 is equipped with the train information management device 15. In the example of FIG. 1 , each formation 17 is composed of two leading cars 11 and one intermediate car 11, but this is not limited thereto, and the formation 17 may include two or more intermediate cars 11. Furthermore, the number of cars 11 in each formation 17 that constitutes the train 10 may be the same as shown in FIG. 1 or may be different.

[0017] When a train 10 is formed by coupling a plurality of formations 17, the train 10 will have a plurality of cars 11 equipped with on-board antennas 12 and on-board radio stations 13, but it is not necessary for all of the cars 11 equipped with on-board antennas 12 and on-board radio stations 13 to communicate wirelessly. In this embodiment, when a train 10 is formed by coupling a plurality of formations 17 as shown in Fig. 1 , only two cars 11, the leading car 11 at the front and the leading car 11 at the rear of the train 10, i.e., the cars 11 at both ends of the train 10, communicate wirelessly. In the example of Fig. 1 , the leading car 11a at the front of the train 10 communicates wirelessly using the on-board antenna 12a and on-board radio station 13a, and the leading car 11i at the rear of the train 10 communicates wirelessly using the on-board antenna 12i and on-board radio station 13i. In the following description, the car 11a may be referred to as the first leading car, and the car 11i may be referred to as the second leading car. The on-board radio station 13a may be referred to as the first on-board radio station, and the on-board radio station 13i may be referred to as the second on-board radio station.

[0018] Furthermore, in each train set 17, the train information control device 15 holds information about the number of cars in its own set. For example, when the train set 17 is constructed, the information about the number of cars in its own set is registered in advance in the train information control device 15 by the worker or manufacturer who constructed the train set 17. The train information control device 15 transmits the information about the number of cars in its own set that it holds to the other train information control devices 15, and acquires, from the other train information control devices 15, information about the number of cars in the train set 17 that includes cars 11 equipped with the other train information control devices 15. In other words, the train information control device 15 acquires information about the number of cars in the other train sets 17 from the other train information control devices 15 installed in the cars 11 of the other train sets 17.

[0019] 1 , train information control devices 15a to 15c hold information on the number of cars in formation 17a, train information control devices 15d to 15f hold information on the number of cars in formation 17d, and train information control devices 15g to 15i hold information on the number of cars in formation 17g. Therefore, if each train information control device 15 simply transmits the information on the number of cars in its own formation that it holds to another train information control device 15, the train information control device 15 that acquires information on the number of cars in formation 17 that includes cars 11 equipped with another train information control device 15 from the other train information control device 15 will acquire duplicate information. Even if the train information control device 15 acquires information on the number of cars in formation 17 that includes cars 11 equipped with another train information control device 15 from the other train information control device 15, it cannot use all of the acquired information on the number of cars as information for accurately calculating the number of cars in train 10.

[0020] In such a case, the train information control device 15 transmits the identification information of its own train set together with information about the number of cars in its own train set to the other train information control devices 15. As a result, the train information control device 15 that has acquired information about the number of cars in the train set 17 that includes cars 11 equipped with the other train information control devices 15 from the other train information control devices 15 can use only one piece of overlapping information to accurately calculate the number of cars in the train 10. Note that only one train information control device 15 in each train set 17 may transmit information about the number of cars in its own train set to the other train information control devices 15. For example, in each train set 17, only the train information control device 15 of the car 11 that is forward in the direction of travel of the train 10 transmits information about the number of cars in its own train set to the other train information control devices 15. As a result, the train information control device 15 that has acquired information about the number of cars in the train set 17 that includes cars 11 equipped with the other train information control devices 15 from the other train information control devices 15 does not receive overlapping information, and can use all of the received information to accurately calculate the number of cars in the train 10.

[0021] If a train information control device 15 fails in any of the cars 11 of the train 10, the train information control devices 15 will be unable to send and receive information about the number of cars in their own formation, and each train information control device 15 will be unable to obtain information about the number of cars in each formation 17 to accurately calculate the number of cars in the train 10. Therefore, in this embodiment, the failed train information control device 15 bypasses the part of the train information control device 15 that performs calculation processing and directly connects the transmission path between adjacent train information control devices 15, so that the adjacent train information control devices 15 can send and receive information about the number of cars in their own formation.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which a failure occurs in the train information control device 15 in the radio train control system 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 illustrates, as an example, a state in which a failure occurs in the train information control device 15f of the vehicle 11f. When the train information control device 15f is not malfunctioning, it receives, for example, information about the number of cars in the formation 17g transmitted from the train information control device 15g and transmits, i.e., forwards, the information to the train information control device 15e. In contrast, when the train information control device 15f is malfunctioning, it directly connects the transmission path between the adjacent train information control devices 15g and 15e, bypassing the part that performs calculation processing in the train information control device 15f, thereby outputting the information about the number of cars in the formation 17g transmitted from the train information control device 15g to the train information control device 15e. In the train information control device 15f, the information about the number of cars in the formation 17g transmitted from the train information control device 15g does not pass through the part that performs calculation processing in the train information control device 15f. As a result, even if a failure occurs in a train information control device 15, the train 10 can send and receive information about the number of cars in its own train formation between train information control devices 15 adjacent to the failed train information control device 15.

[0023] Although it is possible to accurately calculate the length of the train 10 in either the state shown in FIG. 1 or the state shown in FIG. 2, the following description will be given taking the case shown in FIG. 1 as an example.

[0024] The train 10 requires information indicating the running position of the train 10, for example, information on kilometers indicating the distance traveled from a specified position on a certain line, but it is not necessary for all cars 11 of the train 10 to acquire the kilometers information. Therefore, in this embodiment, only the train information management device 15a of the leading car 11a, which is at the front in the direction of travel of the train 10, continuously acquires the kilometers information of the train 10. The train information management device 15a can acquire the kilometers information of the train 10 using information from, for example, a tachograph generator (not shown), but this is a general operation, and the method for acquiring the kilometers information of the train 10 is not particularly limited.

[0025] Furthermore, the operation of calculating the train length of the train 10 is performed by the leading car 11a in the direction of travel of the train 10. The components required for calculating the train length of the train 10 in the train 10 are all components equipped in the leading car 11a in the direction of travel of the train 10, components other than the on-board control device 16i equipped in the leading car 11i in the direction of travel of the train 10, and the train information management devices 15b to 15h equipped in the intermediate cars 11b to 11h of the train 10. Hereinafter, the operation of the radio train control system 1 to calculate the train length of the train 10 using these components will be described.

[0026] 3 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the radio train control system 1 according to this embodiment to calculate the train length of the train 10. While the train 10 is traveling, the on-board radio station 13a of the car 11a performs handover of the base station 20 with which it performs wireless communication from base station 20a to base station 20b (step S101). After performing handover from base station 20a to base station 20b, the on-board radio station 13a changes the base station information indicating the connected base station 20 from base station 20a to base station 20b and outputs the changed information to the on-board server 14a (step S102). The base station information is, for example, identification information that can identify each base station 20. In the car 11a of the train 10, the train information management device 15a continuously acquires information about the distance of the train 10 while the train 10 is in operation, and outputs the information about the distance to the on-board server 14a at a specified interval (step S103).

[0027] When the on-board server 14a acquires the changed base station information from the on-board radio station 13a, it combines the mileage information, base station information, and train information, which is identification information for identifying the train 10, acquired from the train information management device 15a, and transmits the combined information to the on-board radio station 13a so that the on-board radio station 13a can transmit the combined information to the calculation server 40 (step S104). In the following description, the mileage information combined with the base station information and train information when the on-board radio station 13a changes the base station information may be referred to as "first mileage information." Note that the mileage information acquired by the on-board server 14a from the train information management device 15a may be the mileage information acquired from the train information management device 15a at the time the on-board server 14a acquires the changed base station information from the on-board radio station 13a, or may be the mileage information acquired from the train information management device 15a after acquiring the changed base station information from the on-board radio station 13a. In this way, the on-board server 14a controls the transmission of first kilometer information, which is the kilometer distance indicating the position of the first leading car when the first on-board radio station of the first leading car ahead in the direction of travel of the train 10 performs a handover from the first base station to the second base station, from the first on-board radio station to the calculation server 40. In detail, the on-board server 14a controls the transmission of the first kilometer information in combination with the identification information of the second base station and the identification information of the train 10.

[0028] The on-board radio station 13a transmits a combination of kilometer distance information, base station information, and train information to the ground via the on-board antenna 12a. On the ground side, the base station 20b receives the combination of kilometer distance information, base station information, and train information via the ground antenna 21b. The base station 20b outputs the received combination of kilometer distance information, base station information, and train information to the calculation server 40 via the central device 30 (step S105).

[0029] The calculation server 40 does not calculate the kilometer-distance difference at this stage (step S106). Specifically, the calculation server 40 performs the operation of the flowchart shown in Fig. 4 to determine whether or not to calculate the kilometer-distance difference. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the calculation server 40 provided in the radio train control system 1 according to this embodiment. The calculation server 40 acquires a combination of kilometer-distance information, base station information, and train information (step S201). However, at the stage when the calculation server 40 has acquired this combination of kilometer-distance information, base station information, and train information, the calculation server 40 has not acquired another combination of kilometer-distance information, base station information, and train information having the same base station information and train information (step S202: No). Therefore, the calculation server 40 does not calculate the kilometer-distance difference, which is the difference between the second kilometer-distance and the first kilometer-distance (step S204).

[0030] While the train 10 continues traveling, the on-board radio station 13i of the car 11i hands over the base station 20 with which it communicates wirelessly from base station 20a to base station 20b (step S107). Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a state when the car 11i, the leading car at the rear of the train 10 in the direction of travel, has handed over the base station 20 to which it is connected in the wireless train control system 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 5 shows a state in which the on-board radio station 13i of the car 11i has handed over the base station 20 with which it communicates wirelessly from base station 20a to base station 20b. After handing over from base station 20a to base station 20b, the on-board radio station 13i changes the base station information indicating the base station 20 to be connected from base station 20a to base station 20b and outputs the changed information to the on-board server 14a of the car 11a (step S108). 3 is simplified, specifically, the on-board radio station 13i communicates with the on-board server 14a via the on-board server 14i, the train information management device 15i, the train information management device 15h, ..., the train information management device 15b, and the train information management device 15a. In the car 11a of the train 10, the train information management device 15a continuously acquires information on the distance traveled by the train 10 while the train 10 is in operation, and outputs the information on the distance traveled to the on-board server 14a at a specified interval (step S109).

[0031] When the on-board server 14a receives the updated base station information from the on-board radio station 13i, it combines the mileage information, base station information, and train information, which is identification information for identifying the train 10, received from the train information management device 15a, and transmits the combined information to the on-board radio station 13a so that the on-board radio station 13a can transmit the combined information to the calculation server 40 (step S110). In the following description, the mileage information combined with the base station information and train information when the on-board radio station 13i changes the base station information may be referred to as "second mileage information." In this manner, the on-board server 14a controls the transmission of second mileage information, which indicates the mileage of the first leading car when the second on-board radio station of the second leading car, which is located behind the train 10 in the traveling direction, performs a handover from the first base station to the second base station, from the first on-board radio station to the calculation server 40. Specifically, the on-board server 14a controls the transmission of the second mileage information, which is combined with the identification information of the second base station and the identification information of the train 10.

[0032] The on-board radio station 13a transmits a combination of kilometer distance information, base station information, and train information to the ground via the on-board antenna 12a. On the ground side, the base station 20b receives the combination of kilometer distance information, base station information, and train information via the ground antenna 21b. The base station 20b outputs the received combination of kilometer distance information, base station information, and train information to the calculation server 40 via the central device 30 (step S111).

[0033] At this stage, the calculation server 40 calculates the kilometer-distance difference (step S112). Specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the calculation server 40 acquires a combination of kilometer-distance information, base station information, and train information (step S201). Since the calculation server 40 has acquired another combination of kilometer-distance information, base station information, and train information with the same base station information and train information at the stage of acquiring the current combination of kilometer-distance information, base station information, and train information (step S202: Yes), the calculation server 40 calculates the kilometer-distance difference, which is the difference between the second kilometer-distance and the first kilometer-distance (step S203). In this way, the calculation server 40 calculates the kilometer-distance difference using the first kilometer-distance information and the second kilometer-distance information with the same combination of the second base station identification information and the train 10 identification information. The calculation server 40 transmits the calculated kilometer-distance difference to the train 10. Specifically, the calculation server 40 outputs the kilometer-distance difference to the base station 20b via the central device 30. The base station 20b transmits the kilometer-distance difference via the ground antenna 21b to the train 10. In the train 10, the on-board radio station 13a receives the kilometer-distance difference via the on-board antenna 12a (step S113).

[0034] The on-board radio station 13a outputs the received kilometer distance difference to the on-board server 14a (step S114). The on-board server 14a outputs the kilometer distance difference acquired from the on-board radio station 13a to the train information control device 15a (step S115). The train information control device 15a holds information on the number of cars in the formation 17a including the first leading car, and acquires information on the number of cars in the other formations 17d and 17g from the train information control devices 15 of the other formations 17d and 17g. The train information control device 15a outputs the kilometer distance difference acquired from the on-board server 14a, the held information on the number of cars in its own formation, and the information on the number of cars in the other formations 17 acquired from the other train information control devices 15, i.e., information on the number of cars in each formation 17 of the train 10, to the on-board control device 16a (step S116).

[0035] When the on-board control device 16a acquires information on the distance difference and the number of cars in each formation 17 of the train 10 from the train information management device 15a, it calculates the number of cars in the train 10 from each piece of information, and if the two numbers of cars match, it calculates the train length of the train 10 (step S117). Specifically, the on-board control device 16a performs the operation of the flowchart shown in Figure 6.

[0036] 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the on-board control device 16a of the vehicle 11a, which is the leading vehicle in the direction of travel of the train 10, provided in the wireless train control system 1 according to this embodiment. The on-board control device 16a acquires information on the kilometer distance difference and the number of cars in each train set 17 of the train 10 from the train information management device 15a (step S301). The on-board control device 16a calculates the first number of cars, which is the number of cars in the train 10, by dividing the kilometer distance difference by the length of each car 11 constituting the train 10 (step S302). Information on the length of each car 11 constituting the train 10 is registered in advance in the on-board control device 16a by, for example, the manufacturer of the car 11. The on-board control device 16a also calculates the second number of cars, which is the number of cars in the train 10, by adding up the number of cars in each train set 17 of the train 10 (step S303).

[0037] The on-board control device 16a compares the first number of cars with the second number of cars, and if the first number of cars and the second number of cars match (step S304: Yes), calculates the train length of the train 10 (step S305). The on-board control device 16a calculates the train length of the train 10, for example, by multiplying the length per car by the first number of cars or the second number of cars. In this way, the on-board control device 16a compares the first number of cars of the train 10, obtained by dividing the difference in kilometers by the car length of the cars 11 that make up the train 10, with the second number of cars of the train 10, obtained by adding the number of cars in each formation 17 included in the train 10, and calculates the train length of the train 10 if the first number of cars and the second number of cars match.

[0038] Note that, when the on-board control device 16a compares the first number of cars with the second number of cars and finds that the first number of cars does not match the second number of cars (step S304: No), it does not calculate the train length of the train 10 (step S306). In such a case, there is a possibility that some abnormality has occurred in the train 10. Therefore, when the first number of cars with the second number of cars does not match (step S304: No), the on-board control device 16a may further notify the crew of the train 10 that the first number of cars with the second number of cars does not match, or may stop the train 10, or may perform both of these controls. That is, the on-board control device 16a may perform at least one of notifying the crew of the train 10 and stopping the train 10.

[0039] Here, in the train 10, when the on-board wireless station 13a of the car 11a performs a handover from the base station 20a to the base station 20b, the first kilometer is not, strictly speaking, the position of the front end of the car 11a of the train 10, but the position of the on-board antenna 12a used by the on-board wireless station 13a for wireless communication. Therefore, an error may occur between the front end of the car 11a of the train 10 and the first kilometer. Similarly, in the train 10, when the on-board wireless station 13i of the car 11i performs a handover from the base station 20a to the base station 20b, the second kilometer is not, strictly speaking, the position of the rear end of the car 11i of the train 10, but the position of the on-board antenna 12i used by the on-board wireless station 13i for wireless communication. Therefore, an error may occur between the rear end of the car 11i of the train 10 and the second kilometer. Therefore, the on-board control device 16a may calculate the first number of cars after correcting the kilometer difference using the length from the front end of the first leading car to the installation position of the on-board antenna 12a, which is the antenna used by the first on-board radio station for wireless communication. In this case, if the length from the front end of the first leading car to the installation position of the on-board antenna 12a, which is the antenna used by the first on-board radio station for wireless communication, is L, the on-board control device 16a can correct the kilometer difference by adding 2L to the obtained kilometer difference. This allows the on-board control device 16a to further improve the accuracy of calculating the train length of the train 10.

[0040] Next, the hardware configuration of the radio train control system 1 will be described. In the radio train control system 1, the on-board radio station 13 and the base station 20 are communication devices. The on-board antenna 12 and the ground antenna 21 are antenna elements. The monitoring terminal 50 is a terminal device. The on-board server 14, the train information management device 15, the on-board control device 16, the central device 30, and the calculation server 40 are realized by processing circuits. The processing circuits may be a processor and memory that executes a program stored in memory, or may be dedicated hardware.

[0041] 7 is a diagram showing an example in which a processing circuit 90 for implementing the radio train control system 1 according to this embodiment is configured with a processor 91 and a memory 92. When the processing circuit 90 is configured with the processor 91 and the memory 92, each function of the processing circuit 90 of the radio train control system 1 is implemented by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software or firmware is written as a program and stored in the memory 92. The processing circuit 90 implements each function by having the processor 91 read and execute the program stored in the memory 92. That is, the processing circuit 90 includes the memory 92 for storing the program that results in the processing of the radio train control system 1. It can also be said that these programs cause a computer to execute the procedures and methods of the radio train control system 1.

[0042] The program includes a first step in which the on-board server 14a controls the transmission of first kilometer information, which is the kilometer distance indicating the position of a first leading car when a first on-board radio station of a first leading car at the front with respect to the traveling direction of the train 10, in which a plurality of formations 17 are coupled, from the first on-board radio station to the calculation server 40, and controls the transmission of second kilometer information, which is the kilometer distance indicating the position of the first leading car when a second on-board radio station of a second leading car at the rear with respect to the traveling direction of the train 10, is handed over from the first base station to the second base station, from the first on-board radio station to the calculation server 40; It can also be said that this is a program that causes the radio train control system 1 to execute the following steps: a second step in which the train information management device 15a calculates the kilometer distance difference and transmits the kilometer distance difference to the train 10; a third step in which the train information management device 15a holds information on the number of cars in the formation 17a including the first leading car and obtains information on the number of cars in the other formations 17d, 17g from the other formations 17d, 17g; and a fourth step in which the on-board control device 16a compares a first number of cars in the train 10 obtained by dividing the kilometer distance difference by the length of the cars 11 that make up the train 10 with a second number of cars in the train 10 obtained by adding the number of cars in each formation 17 included in the train 10, and calculates the train length of the train 10 if the first number of cars and the second number of cars match.

[0043] Here, the processor 91 may be a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a processing device, an arithmetic device, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), etc. The memory 92 may be, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), or an EEPROM (Electrically EPROM), a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a minidisk, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc).

[0044] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which the processing circuit 93 that realizes the wireless train control system 1 according to this embodiment is configured with dedicated hardware. When the processing circuit 93 is configured with dedicated hardware, the processing circuit 93 shown in Fig. 8 corresponds to, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. Each function of the wireless train control system 1 may be realized by the processing circuit 93 separately for each function, or all functions may be realized by the processing circuit 93 together.

[0045] It is also possible to realize some of the functions of the radio train control system 1 with dedicated hardware and some with software or firmware. In this way, the processing circuit can realize each of the above-mentioned functions with dedicated hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these.

[0046] As described above, according to this embodiment, in the radio train control system 1, the train 10 transmits to the calculation server 40 the first kilometer distance when the on-board radio station 13a of the car 11a of the train 10 handed over from the base station 20a to the base station 20b and the second kilometer distance when the on-board radio station 13i of the car 11i of the train 10 handed over from the base station 20a to the base station 20b, and receives from the calculation server 40 the kilometer distance difference between the second kilometer distance calculated by the calculation server 40. The train 10 calculates the train length of the train 10 when the first number of cars obtained from the kilometer distance difference matches the second number of cars obtained from the number of cars in each set 17 constituting the train 10. The kilometer distance difference used to calculate the first number of cars is calculated by the calculation server 40, and the number of cars in each set 17 used to calculate the second number of cars is obtained by the train information management device 15, and are based on different information sources.

[0047] As a result, in the radio train control system 1, the on-board control device 16a of the car 11a, which is the first leading car of the train 10, can improve the accuracy of calculating the train length of the train 10, which is made up of multiple coupled formations 17. Since the radio train control system 1 can accurately grasp the train length of each controlled train 10, radio train control can be performed even in an operating section where trains 10 are coupled together. Furthermore, unlike the train control system described in Patent Document 1, the radio train control system 1 can perform radio train control even if each car 11 of the train 10 is not equipped with an on-board radio station 13, and can perform radio train control even when the train 10 is running on a congested line section.

[0048] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the on-board server 14a, the train information management device 15a, and the on-board control device 16a are mounted on the first leading car 11a, and the calculation server 40 is installed on the ground, but this is not limitative. The calculation server 40 can also be mounted on the train 10 as a configuration for calculating the kilometer distance difference. However, the calculation server 40 is configured independently from the on-board server 14a, the train information management device 15a, the on-board control device 16a, etc.

[0049] The configurations shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, and may be combined with other known technologies, and parts of the configurations may be omitted or modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0050] 1 Radio train control system, 10 Train, 11a to 11i Vehicle, 12a, 12c, 12d, 12f, 12g, 12i On-board antenna, 13a, 13c, 13d, 13f, 13g, 13i On-board radio station, 14a, 14c, 14d, 14f, 14g, 14i On-board server, 15a to 15i Train information management device, 16a, 16c, 16d, 16f, 16g, 16i On-board control device, 17a, 17d, 17g Formation, 20a, 20b Base station, 21a, 21b Ground antenna, 30 Central device, 40 Calculation server, 50 Monitoring terminal, 90, 93 Processing circuit, 91 Processor, 92 Memory.

Claims

1. An on-board server that controls the transmission from the first on-board radio station to a calculation server of first kilometer information, the kilometer indicating the position of a first leading car when a first on-board radio station of a first leading car at the front in the direction of travel of a train consisting of multiple coupled formations has handed over from a first base station to a second base station, and controls the transmission from the first on-board radio station to the calculation server of second kilometer information, the kilometer indicating the position of the first leading car when a second on-board radio station of a second leading car at the rear in the direction of travel of the train has handed over from the first base station to the second base station; the calculation server that calculates a kilometer difference, which is the difference between the second kilometer and the first kilometer, and transmits the kilometer difference to the train; a train information management device that holds information on the number of cars in a formation including the first leading car, and acquires information on the number of cars in the other formations from other formations; an on-board control device that compares a first number of cars of the train obtained by dividing the kilometre difference by the length of the cars that constitute the train with a second number of cars of the train obtained by adding up the numbers of cars of each formation included in the train, and calculates the train length of the train if the first number of cars and the second number of cars match.

2. The radio train control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the train information management device obtains information on the number of cars of the other formation from another train information management device installed in a car of the other formation.

3. The wireless train control system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the train information management device outputs the kilometre information to the on-board server at a specified period while the train is in operation.

4. A wireless train control system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the on-board server controls the first kilometerage information to be combined with the identification information of the second base station and the identification information of the train and transmits it, and controls the second kilometerage information to be combined with the identification information of the second base station and the identification information of the train and transmits it, and the calculation server calculates the kilometerage difference using the first kilometerage information and the second kilometerage information which have the same combination of the identification information of the second base station and the identification information of the train.

5. The wireless train control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the on-board control device calculates the train length of the train by multiplying the car length by the first number of cars or the second number of cars.

6. A wireless train control system as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the on-board control device calculates the first number of cars after correcting the kilometre difference using the length from the front end of the first leading car to the installation position of an antenna used by the first on-board radio station for wireless communication.

7. The wireless train control system described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that if the first number of cars and the second number of cars do not match, the on-board control device does not calculate the train length of the train, and performs at least one of notifying the train crew and stopping the train.

8. A wireless train control system as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the on-board server, the train information management device, and the on-board control device are mounted on the first leading car, and the calculation server is installed on the ground.

9. A first step in which an on-board server controls the transmission from the first on-board radio station to a calculation server of first kilometer information, the kilometer indicating the position of a first leading car when a first on-board radio station of a first leading car at the front in the direction of travel of a train having multiple coupled formations has been handed over from a first base station to a second base station, and controls the transmission from the first on-board radio station to the calculation server of second kilometer information, the kilometer indicating the position of the first leading car when a second on-board radio station of a second leading car at the rear in the direction of travel of the train has been handed over from the first base station to the second base station; a second step in which the calculation server calculates a kilometer difference, which is the difference between the second kilometer and the first kilometer, and transmits the kilometer difference to the train; a third step in which a train information management device holds information on the number of cars in a formation including the first leading car, and obtains information on the number of cars in the other formations from other formations; and a fourth step in which an on-board control device compares a first number of cars of the train obtained by dividing the kilometre difference by the length of the cars that constitute the train with a second number of cars of the train obtained by adding up the numbers of cars of each formation included in the train, and calculates the train length of the train if the first number of cars and the second number of cars match.

10. The radio train control method according to claim 9, characterized in that in the third step, the train information management device obtains information on the number of cars of the other formation from another train information management device installed in a car of the other formation.

11. The radio train control method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that in the third step, the train information management device outputs the kilometre information to the on-board server at a specified period while the train is in operation.

12. A radio train control method as described in any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that in the first step, the on-board server controls the first kilometer distance information to be combined with the identification information of the second base station and the identification information of the train and transmitted, and controls the second kilometer distance information to be combined with the identification information of the second base station and the identification information of the train and transmitted; and in the second step, the calculation server calculates the kilometer distance difference using the first kilometer distance information and the second kilometer distance information having the same combination of the identification information of the second base station and the identification information of the train.

13. A radio train control method as described in any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that in the fourth step, the on-board control device calculates the train length of the train by multiplying the car length by the first number of cars or the second number of cars.

14. A radio train control method as described in any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that in the fourth step, the on-board control device calculates the first number of cars after correcting the kilometer difference using the length from the front end of the first leading car to the installation position of an antenna used by the first on-board radio station for wireless communication.

15. A radio train control method as described in any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that in the fourth step, if the first number of cars and the second number of cars do not match, the on-board control device does not calculate the train length of the train, and performs at least one of notifying the train crew and stopping the train.

16. A radio train control method as described in any one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that the on-board server, the train information management device, and the on-board control device are mounted on the first leading car, and the calculation server is installed on the ground.