Traffic control system and method of controlling the movement of

Details Traffic control system and method of controlling the movement of Traffic control system and method of controlling the movement of

1997-06-06

1999-07-20

Le, Mark T.

Railway switches and signals

Cab signal or train control

Magnetic rail

246185, 246187C, 246 14, 246 8, 246 63R, 246194, 246182C, B61L 100

Patent

active

059246537

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a traffic control system and the use of such a system in connection with train traffic. The invention moreover concerns a method of controlling the movement of a mobile unit.
2. Description of the Related Art
The work on increasing train speeds has created a need for ensuring reliable train control systems.
EP-A-145 464 discloses a train control system wherein transponders, applying a coded response to an inquiry, are located along the track. A train receives information on the code of the next transponder from a control centre, and the train reports when this code has been detected. If the transponder is not detected, the train is brought to a standstill.
GB-A-2 219 833 discloses a traffic information system for use in bus traffic. A transmitter is provided at each bus stop, transmitting a code to a bus when interrogated, whereby the position of the bus may be determined. This information may be used e.g. in traffic control centres for putting on more buses if necessary.
U.S. Pat No. 5,129,605 discloses a system wherein a plurality of different position determination systems are used for determining the exact position of a train. The whole is controlled by a control centre which coordinates the information.
Furthermore, a safety system called automatic train control (ATC) has been developed for the purpose of improving train safety. This system protects against a number of human errors on the part of the train drivers, one of the basics of the system being that the train is provided with a computer which receives traffic information, such as stop signals and speed limits, from a plurality of transmitters along the track. Thus, the computer may bring the train to a standstill irrespective of what the train driver does when the train arrives at a stop signal. The signals and the transmitters are controlled from a central signalling post.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 3,940,765 discloses a traffic control system for trains, having a plurality of stationary passive units. This known system does not enable the trains to transmit messages to the stationary units.
The object of the invention is to provide a system making it possible to control a mobile unit, such as a train, which can take place without interference from a traffic control centre as long as the flow of traffic is smooth.
This object is achieved in that the traffic control system is provided with the constructive features of the present invention. The use of stationary, passive units arranged along a track obviates the need for running cables along the track. Thus, it is easy to encapsulate the stationary units so as to avoid ingress of water. The system is thus extremely insensitive to wind and weather. The stationary units apply a unique code to an interrogation, and the computer of a mobile unit can determine its position, the positions of the stationary units, following mounting, being determined exactly and stored electronically. The mobile unit can hereby determine its position on the basis of the unique code by an electronic look-up table. The mobile unit simultaneously receives traffic information, such as speed limits and data concerning the last-passed mobile unit, such as a train on the point concerned of the section, which supplies these data to the stationary units. It is hereby possible to control the speed pilot of the train by data obtained directly from the stationary unit. As mentioned, the traffic information may also include information concerning the last-passed train, it being hereby possible to estimate the distance to the preceding train and to determine the distance to it. The movement of the train or the mobile unit may thus be adjusted according to this information. This train control may be made additionally safe in that the trains automatically transmit the message to a central control unit, if they no longer keep an expected timetable, so that subsequent trains can calculate more safely whether the section ahead is unoccupied by combining data obta

REFERENCES:
patent: 2641688 (1953-06-01), Adams
patent: 3888437 (1975-06-01), Birkin
patent: 3940765 (1976-02-01), Grafinger et al.
patent: 4697179 (1987-09-01), Arimitsu et al.
patent: 4735383 (1988-04-01), Corrie
patent: 5364047 (1994-11-01), Petit et al.
patent: 5398894 (1995-03-01), Pascoe
patent: 5487516 (1996-01-01), Murata et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Traffic control system and method of controlling the movement of does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Traffic control system and method of controlling the movement of, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Traffic control system and method of controlling the movement of will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1315279