Onboard VOBC Control for Automatic Guided Vehicles Without Interlocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driverless train systems rely on expensive and complex wayside controllers, which are prone to failure and require extensive infrastructure, leading to operational disruptions and high maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle management system with intelligent on-board controllers (VOBC) and a data storage system (DSS) that enable direct train-to-train communication and reservation of guideway assets, eliminating the need for wayside-based vital controllers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If intelligent wayside controllers (Zone Controllers, Vehicle Control Centres) are used to track trains, set routes, and authorize movements, then train control and safety authorization can be achieved, but system complexity increases, costs rise, and single-point failures can shut down all automatic operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized wayside control function into distributed on-board controllers (VOBC) on each vehicle. Each VOBC independently performs route setting, movement authorization, and safety checks, eliminating the single-point-of-failure architecture of traditional Zone Controllers. This segmentation distributes intelligence across multiple independent units, improving reliability while reducing wayside infrastructure complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the control intelligence from the wayside infrastructure and places it directly on the vehicles themselves. By removing the dependency on intelligent wayside controllers, the system eliminates expensive control rooms, reduces cabling requirements, and simplifies wayside equipment to basic responsive devices without processing capabilities.
2Reliability
If wayside controllers are deployed to manage train movements, then safe operation authorization can be provided, but expensive access-controlled equipment rooms and extensive cabling are required
Solution Approach 1:
Each vehicle's VOBC autonomously performs movement authorization and safety verification without requiring external wayside controllers. The VOBC communicates directly with other VOBCs and wayside devices, making independent decisions about route setting and movement permission. This self-service capability eliminates the need for expensive access-controlled equipment rooms and reduces infrastructure installation costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical infrastructure of wayside control rooms, extensive cabling, and interlocking equipment with wireless or data communication networks between VOBCs. The control function transitions from physical centralized equipment to distributed digital communication, significantly reducing material costs and installation complexity.
3Productivity
If centralized wayside controllers are used to coordinate train movements, then route management can be achieved, but communication delays and single points of failure reduce operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized route management function into distributed decision-making at each VOBC. Instead of all trains communicating through a central Zone Controller, each VOBC independently negotiates routes with adjacent VOBCs and wayside devices, eliminating communication hops and reducing latency. This distributed architecture improves operational efficiency by enabling parallel decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The VOBC performs preliminary route reservation and conflict detection before movement authorization is needed. By proactively establishing routes and checking for conflicts with other vehicles in advance, the system avoids last-minute communication delays and enables smoother train operations without centralized coordination bottlenecks.
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle management system for automatic vehicles running on a guideway independent of wayside signals or interlocking devices includes intelligent on-board controllers on each vehicle for controlling operation of the vehicle. The on-board controllers communicate with each other as well as individual wayside devices and a data storage system to identify available assets needed to move along the guideway and to reserve these assets for their associated vehicle.