Virtual Track Block System for Railroad Capacity and Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional railroad block signaling systems are limited in increasing track capacity without additional infrastructure and cannot detect broken rails within unoccupied blocks.
Innovation Solution
A virtual block system divides physical track blocks into multiple segments, allowing for reduced train spacing based on braking capabilities and onboard detection of train positions, eliminating the need for wayside signals and enabling broken rail detection within occupied blocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional block signaling systems are used, then train safety is maintained through block spacing, but track capacity cannot be increased without additional track infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides each physical track block into multiple virtual track blocks (e.g., four segments per physical block). This segmentation allows trains to be spaced more closely by assigning them to different virtual blocks within the same physical block, thereby increasing track capacity without requiring additional physical infrastructure such as signals or control equipment.
2Reliability
If conventional block signaling systems are used, then train spacing is maintained, but broken rail cannot be identified within an unoccupied block
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing physical blocks into virtual blocks, the system creates more granular monitoring zones. When a train occupies a physical block, the system can determine which specific virtual block(s) are occupied and which remain unoccupied. Broken rail detection is then performed specifically in the unoccupied virtual blocks, allowing localized identification of rail defects without requiring detection across the entire physical block.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses track circuits as intermediary detection devices that can identify broken rails in unoccupied virtual blocks. These track circuits serve as sensors that monitor rail integrity in specific zones, enabling the system to detect broken rails locally rather than requiring system-wide detection infrastructure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.