Track Database Geometry Storage Using Spline Parameters
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Large track databases are inefficient due to increased maintenance efforts, susceptibility to data errors, and high data transmission requirements, making them less portable and less useful for applications like train motion and locomotive fuel management.
Innovation Solution
A compact data representation scheme using a piecewise polynomial spline to accurately render three-dimensional track geometry and feature locations, reducing data size while enabling efficient storage and reconstitution of track features, and computation of three-dimensional coordinates from simple trackline offsets and geometry coefficients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a track database is made large to capture complete track geometry and feature information, then the database accuracy and completeness are improved, but the database size increases leading to greater maintenance effort, higher susceptibility to data errors, and reduced portability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential geometric parameters needed to represent track features (curvature, grade, tangent distance) rather than storing complete track geometry data. This selective extraction maintains the ability to accurately represent track features while significantly reducing database size and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of storing detailed track geometry data and deriving features from it, the patent inverts the approach by directly storing simplified feature parameters (curvature, grade, tangent distance) that can be used to reconstruct track geometry as needed. This inversion reduces data storage requirements while maintaining geometric accuracy.
2Reliability
If a track database is made large to include all track features, then the database completeness is improved, but the maintenance effort and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the critical parameters needed for track feature representation (curvature, grade, tangent distance) rather than maintaining complete track geometry data. This extraction maintains database completeness for essential features while reducing maintenance complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters stored from detailed geometric coordinates to simplified track parameters (curvature, grade, tangent distance). This parameter transformation maintains the ability to represent track features completely while simplifying database structure and reducing maintenance burden.
3Measurement precision
If a track database is made large to store detailed geometry data, then the track representation accuracy is improved, but the data transmission requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential parameters (curvature, grade, tangent distance) needed to represent track features accurately, eliminating redundant geometric data. This extraction maintains track feature accuracy while significantly reducing the volume of data that needs to be transmitted to locomotives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms detailed geometric coordinates into simplified track parameters (curvature, grade, tangent distance). This parameter change preserves the accuracy needed for train motion and path-taken algorithms while reducing data transmission requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A database schema is disclosed that can significantly reduce the quantity of data required to describe the geometry of a train track and the geo-locations of features (e.g., grade crossings, mileposts, signals, platforms, switches, spurs, etc.) along the track. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, a railroad track is represented as a plurality of partitions, each of which has its geometry contained within unique track point elements. Multiple track partitions are then joined together by common track point elements at their boundaries to create continuous rail networks. A compact table schema is employed that enables continuous sections of three-dimensional track splines to be rendered accurately in the track database, irrespective of the location of vertical and horizontal curvature along track segments. The data representation scheme also enables efficient storage of the geo-locations of features along a track, as well as the direct reconstitution of accurate three-dimensional track splines.