Cyber Signalling is a real-time train traffic management system for the private/industrial railway sidings based on the proprietory ‘Cyber Signalling’ technology developed by the L2M Rail (Lab To Market Innovations Pvt. Ltd.). The Cyber Signalling System observes, plans, controls, and manages the trains and the track-side equipment to meet the operational goals without compromising on safety requirements. This is a type of Cyber-physical system developed specifically for railway applications.
The Cyber Signalling System is an end-to-end solution that employs IoT, Artificial Intelligence, Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors, Axle Counters, and Radio Access Networks for real time viewing of yard operations and wireless operation of point machines.
Overview
The Cyber Signalling system comprises of FBG sensors, control units, and the communication network. The local control unit (LCU) calculates the number of train axles on detection points (DP) and the point zone status information is sent to the control unit (CU). The control unit compares the number of axles counted by both the detection points of the axle zone to find track occupancy status. The track and point zone status is then stored in the database for further analysis.
Long-Distance Wi-Fi technology (Radio Access Network – RAN) is used to connect various components of the system to the private cloud. The outdoor Access Points (AP) comply with the IEEE 802.11ac standard and are backward compatible with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n standards. This RAN combines solar power solution for the industrial sidings in semi-rural and unconnected areas where frequent power cuts or lack of power supply are an ailing problem.
The Human Machine Interface (HMI) devices held by users, that are connected to the private network, display the track and point zone status in real-time. Authorized personnel can instruct the control unit to operate specific point machines, gates at level crossings etc. for train route setting and computerized signalling. This system improves the safety and efficiency of train operations at the railway yard. The L2M Rail has filed an Indian patent for the apparatus, method, and system for cyber signalling and train traffic control at railway yards.
Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) Sensing Technology
The Cyber Signalling System employs the FBG sensing technology. A Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is a periodic perturbation of the refractive index along the fiber length which is formed by exposure of the core to an intense optical interference pattern. The main advantages of FBG sensing technology include high accuracy, very high temperature resistance, good stability, moisture-proof, and anti-electromagnetic interference. The sensors are packaged by embedding bare FBG sensors inside a stainless-steel housing and are terminated with armored fiber optic cables on either end with suitable connectors. This design of packaged sensors can be used for measuring strain due to compression or tension. The packaged FBG sensors are fixed on two clamps for mounting on the rail. The packaged FBG sensors measure the strain changes in the rail upon the passage of trains at the measurement points. In order to acquire the FBG sensor signal, an interrogator is used to launch light into the optical fiber with FBG sensors and collect the reflected light back for analysis. The FBG sensing system detects the train wheel passage and helps in real-time monitoring of locomotive movements in the yard.
Siding Control Centre (SCC)
The information received from the FBG sensing system and the wireless operation of point machines is presented on a real-time basis in a cloud-based graphic user interface (GUI). The live view pages of the dashboard show the real-time status of all the sections of the yard and the point machines. We can also view the live movement of the locomotive across the yard. The GUI also shows the direction in which the point is set on the track. One can also view the live locomotive movements in the yard. Apart from the live view, one can get real-time information on yard Performance. The locomotive movements during a particular past-time period can be played back from the information stored in the private cloud. The Point Machines can be controlled from the dashboard. The SCC generates various reports on point machine operations, wagons loaded/unloaded, entry and exit of the locomotives into the yard, undue delays if any, and the average time spent. The users can be registered in the SCC depending upon their hierarchy.
Advantages of Cyber Signalling System
The system enables the real-time monitoring of yard operations. The yard managers can view the train movements in real-time and can control the point machines. The solution ultimately helps in improving asset utilization, identifying inefficiencies in the system, and aids in decision making. Further, it avoids derailments caused by improper manual point operations in non-interlocked yards.
Each industry has its own schemes, processes, and tasks to perform. The Cyber Signalling System can be customized to meet the specific needs of a given industry. It can be configured and personalized to make yard management easier and more efficient.
It is an innovative mix of conventional products such as relays, motors, wireless communication, and the current state-of-the-art technologies to provide safe, smart, and efficient control of fixed and movable assets of railways. The system enables the users to operate the points from a remote distance without any risk in hazardous areas. The system also allows the Loco Driver / Running Staff to operate the points directly from the engine using handheld devices (tablets, smartphones).
Cyber Signal System comes with scalable and reusable modules. The system is fully modular, which can be independently created, modified, replaced, or exchanged with other modules or different systems. The system can first be installed in the most crucial section of the yard and can later be integrated into a large overall application depending upon the requirements.
Fifth-generation (5G) wireless communication promises to shape the future of the Industrial Sidings by offering ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), and massive machine-type communications (mMTC). The Cyber Signalling System is 5G ready and performs at its best on the 5G communication network.
