EP4512689A1 - Method for providing departure authorization for a rail vehicle located in a stopping section - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method for providing a departure permit for a rail vehicle located in a stopping section, which comprises the following steps:
(a) provision of a control system for the dispatch of the rail vehicle within a rail network;
b) provision of timetable data for the rail vehicle on a mobile communication device by the control system;
c) providing a specific application accessible from the mobile communication device that triggers the readiness of the rail vehicle to depart for a selectable set of timetable data;
d) transmitting the readiness to depart to an on-board device in the driver’s cab of the rail vehicle; and
e) Reporting the receipt of the readiness to depart from the on-board device to the mobile communication device.

In this way, the data required to provide the departure permit can be obtained directly from the control system and displayed accordingly on the mobile communication device for the train attendant.

It should be noted here that the term "rail vehicle" can also refer to an entire train or train composition. The driver can then confirm that his rail vehicle is ready to depart on his mobile communication device with a simple operating action. This confirmation is then transmitted to the driver's cab via the control system and/or the rail vehicle's data bus and is therefore visible to the train driver. This eliminates all track and signal box installations and at the same time shortens the time required to establish readiness to depart due to the digitalized process.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for providing a departure permit for a rail vehicle located in a stopping section.

In rail-based traffic, trains travel along the railway network along routes that are requested by a control system at the level of the scheduling train control. This request can be triggered automatically if the trains are running according to the timetable and a sequence of previously planned routes is therefore planned. In the event of deviations from the timetable and other deviating interventions, the routes are requested manually by the train dispatcher. Each requested route is only set by a control authority (central or decentralized) when the route elements (switches, signals, block clearance, moving block in ETCS) are available for this route and can be set accordingly and blocked against other use by competing routes. After the route or the route elements in it have been traveled, this blocking is lifted again and the route elements are available again for setting new routes.

This above-mentioned procedure for providing routes also applies when a train departs after a station stop. A train driver can only leave the station, i.e. only start driving again, when the required connecting route to the stopping section has been set and he has been given permission to drive either via a green signal light and/or corresponding information on the display of the on-board unit (OBU), and when the train attendant has also reported that the train is ready to depart.

While setting the route is an automatic process when the timetable is adhered to, reporting readiness to depart still requires considerable effort on the part of the train conductor and the installed equipment, such as signal box components, switch boxes, etc. Depending on the regulations for the departure of a train, this usually still means that the train conductor must first prevent a door on the train from blocking and then go to a switch box on the track side with a key and signal readiness to depart by turning the key. This readiness to depart must now be routed via the signal box and also signaled to the train driver. The train conductor must then re-enter the train at the door he has reserved and then close this door as well. If the corresponding signal light is now available for the train driver, he can depart after closing this last door.

It is easy to understand that this procedure cannot be seen as an efficient way of carrying out train dispatch (issuing permission to depart) and thus as having a positive impact on timetable stability. It requires significant signal box components and therefore costs for their purchase, operation and maintenance. In addition, an improvement in passenger safety and an increase in the level of digitalization in rail operations would also be desirable.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a method for providing a departure permit for a rail vehicle located in a stopping section, which method results in a reduction in the effort and an improved sequence of processes for issuing the departure permit.

1. a) Bereitstellen eines Leitsystems zur Disposition des Schienenfahrzeugs innerhalb eines Schienennetzes;
2. b) Leitsystem-seitiges Bereitstellen von Fahrplandaten für das Schienenfahrzeug auf einem mobilen Kommunikationsgerät;
3. c) Bereitstellen einer vom mobilen Kommunikationsgerät zugänglichen spezifischen Applikation, mit der eine Abfahrbereitschaft des Schienenfahrzeugs für einen auswählbaren Datensatz der Fahrplandaten ausgelöst wird;
4. d) Übermitteln der Abfahrbereitschaft auf ein Fahrzeuggerät im Führerstand des Schienenfahrzeug; und
5. e) Rückmelden des Empfangs der Abfahrbereitschaft an dem Fahrzeuggerät an das mobile Kommunikationsgerät.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a method for providing a departure permit for a vehicle in a rail vehicle located in the stopping section, which includes the following steps:

1. (a) provision of a control system for the dispatch of the rail vehicle within a rail network;
2. b) provision of timetable data for the rail vehicle on a mobile communication device by the control system;
3. c) providing a specific application accessible from the mobile communication device that triggers the readiness of the rail vehicle to depart for a selectable set of timetable data;
4. d) transmitting the readiness to depart to an on-board device in the driver’s cab of the rail vehicle; and
5. e) Reporting the receipt of the readiness to depart from the on-board device to the mobile communication device.

In this way, the data required to provide the departure authorization can be obtained directly from the control system and displayed accordingly on the mobile communication device for the train conductor. It should be noted here that the term rail vehicle can also refer to an entire train or train composition. The conductor can then confirm that his rail vehicle is ready to depart on the mobile communication device with a simple operating action. This confirmation is then transmitted via the control system and/or the rail vehicle's data bus to the driver's cab of the rail vehicle and is therefore visible to the train driver. This eliminates all track and signal box installations and at the same time shortens the time required to create the departure authorization due to the digitalized process.

In an expedient development of the present invention, it can be provided that for the triggering of the readiness to depart within the framework of the specific application on a display of the mobile communication device, a train number, a departure station, a departure platform and a scheduled departure time are displayed. In addition, or alternatively, it may be possible for the readiness to depart within the application to be shown on a display of the mobile communication device for each selectable data set whether the rail vehicle is even a candidate for a possible readiness to depart message from a control technology perspective. In addition, to provide better information to the train attendant, it is useful if the readiness to depart within the specific application to be shown on a display of the mobile communication device for each selectable data set whether a route has been set that is required from a control technology perspective for the rail vehicle to depart and that follows the stopping section.

In a logically sensible division of the visibility of the tasks for a train attendant, it can be provided that the mobile communication device is intended for a train attendant in such a way that a train attendant application running on the mobile communication device for the train attendant can enable access to the specific application. The train attendant can thus see on the train attendant application intended for him which rail vehicle/train he has to accompany. The train attendant application can also show him which other train attendants are traveling with him on the same train (on long trains). If he has to stay overnight at a destination, he could also be shown the hotel booked for him, etc. By simply pressing a corresponding field in the train attendant application, he can then call up the specific application, which shows him the train for departure clearance and which allows him to signal to the train driver that the train is ready to depart, for example by entering a certain character pattern or a number combination.

It can also be provided that the specific application is terminated after the on-board device has received feedback that the train is ready to depart and, if necessary, a return to the train attendant application is made.

With regard to the concept of the control technology perspective, it can be provided that from a control technology perspective, a check of the respective operating situation on the rail network for the rail vehicle is carried out using the data available in the control system. In doing so, the existing driving regulations will usually also be used, so that corresponding operating situations arise based on the current data and the existing rules, such as the granting of the departure permit, etc.

Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention can be found in the remaining subclaims.

Figur 1

in schematischer Ansicht ein Übersichtsbild einer Zugbegleiter-Applikation für einen Zugbegleiter, die auf einem mobilen Kommunikationssystem ausgeführt wird;

Figur 2

in schematischer Ansicht ein auf einem mobilen Benutzergerät angezeigtes Bild für den Zugbegleiter; (a) Bild bei nicht-abfahrbereitem Zug und (b) Bild bei abfahrbereitem Zug;

Figur 3

in schematischer Ansicht den Ablauf der Abfertigung des Zuges, wie er sich dem Zugbegleiter anhand der Bilder a) bis d) in der spezifischen Applikation auf seinem mobilen Kommunikationsgerät darstellt; und

Figur 4

in schematischer Ansicht eine Übersicht der dem Lokführer zur Verfügung stehenden Daten nach Erteilung einer Abfahrerlaubnis.

Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawing.

Figure 1

in schematic view an overview image of a train attendant application for a train attendant, which is executed on a mobile communication system;

Figure 2

in schematic view, an image displayed on a mobile user device for the train conductor; (a) image when the train is not ready to depart and (b) image when the train is ready to depart;

Figure 3

a schematic view of the train dispatch process as presented to the train attendant using images a) to d) in the specific application on his mobile communication device; and

Figure 4

A schematic overview of the data available to the train driver after a departure permit has been issued.

The following describes a method for providing a departure permit for a rail vehicle located in a stopping section, which is essentially based on the following steps. Central to this method is the presence of or access to a train attendant application on a mobile communication device for the train attendant and a corresponding view on the vehicle device (onboard unit) in the driver's cab for the train driver, as well as the exchange of data between the mobile communication device, the vehicle device and a control system for the dispatch of rail traffic within a specific section where a train intended to depart from a stopping area (a train stopping in a station) is currently located, which is not shown in further detail here.

, das nur mit den Daten für die vorgesehenen Zugfahrten verbunden ist, erfolgt dabei der Wechsel aus der Zugbegleiter-Applikation in eine spezifische WEB-Applikation für die Abfertigung eines Zuges.The starting point for providing a departure permit for the train in the stopping section is first of all the provision of the control system with which the rail traffic in the designated track network is controlled from a control center. The train attendant sees on his web-based train attendant application, for example, an image such as that shown in the Figure 1 It informs him about his work orders and also allows him to see an overview of the train journeys planned according to the train attendant application. By pressing the symbol

, which is only connected to the data for the planned train journeys, the change from the train attendant application to a specific WEB application for the dispatch of a train takes place.

The Figure 2 now shows in schematic view the design of the specific application for the Departure clearance. The Figure 2a now shows the situation where the change to the specific application takes place before the train route is set for the onward journey, ie the exit signal is not yet green. The train attendant sees this accordingly by the entry "In motion" on the display of his mobile communication device, which is usually a smartphone or tablet. The train is therefore not yet ready for departure. The train attendant is also shown the train number.

As soon as the train route is set for the onward journey, the train attendant is automatically shown the image according to Figure 2b ) is displayed. The train is now ready for departure according to the applicable departure regulations. The train number, the departure station, the platform and the planned departure time are displayed. In addition, the location at the planned departure time is displayed. Significant in Figure 2b ) is the entry "Next departure: Brig, platform 11, 12:02, as well as the circle shown below. If the jump to the specific application occurs when the train route is already set for the onward journey, the train attendant is immediately shown the image according to Figure 2b ) is displayed. The train is now ready for departure.

Figure 3 now shows the process of dispatching the train as it appears to the train attendant based on the images in the specific application on his mobile communication device:
If all conditions for dispatching the train are met according to the operating instructions, the train attendant can initiate dispatch by making a circular movement to complete a coloured circle, as shown in Figure 3a ). It should be noted here that, in principle, another mechanism can also be provided to trigger the readiness to depart.

When the circle is complete, the circle changes color and an inner rotating circle indicates that the dispatch of the train is being transmitted, as in Figure 3b ) is shown.
If the circle is displayed in green, if the dispatch (readiness to depart) has now been transmitted to the train driver, the circle changes its colour again, e.g. to green (see Figure 3c ).
As soon as the train dispatch is displayed to the driver, the train attendant receives feedback that the dispatch was successful, as described in Figure 3d ) with the text "Dispatch successful". By pressing the "CLOSE" button, the view returns to the general train attendant application, as shown in Figure 1 shown.

In the Figure 4 The view for the train driver is now shown in a schematic representation on the display of his onboard unit. When a train has been dispatched by the train attendant, this is shown to the train driver in his train driver application. The lettering in the lower part of the Figure 4 with the content "Departure permit for Täsch (TAES) granted".

1. i) Stellwerkskomponenten für das Abfahrtsignal und den Schaltkasten fallen weg;
2. ii) Fixe Installationen (Tastenkasten und Abfahrsignal am Perron und in der Sicherungsanlage in den Bahnhöfen entfallen;
3. iii) Kosteneinsparungen bei Anschaffung, Betrieb und Wartung werden erzielt;
4. iv) Abfertigungsdauer (Fahrplanstabilität) und die Personensicherheit werden verbessert; und
5. v) der Digitalisierungsgrad wird erhöht.

With the introduction of this procedure, existing departure signals as an additional signal at the main signal are replaced by a mobile solution (here the specific application for departure readiness) and the following objectives are achieved:

1. i) Interlocking components for the departure signal and the switch box are eliminated;
2. ii) Fixed installations (button box and departure signal on the platform and in the safety system in the stations) are no longer required;
3. (iii) cost savings are achieved in acquisition, operation and maintenance;
4. (iv) processing time (timetable stability) and passenger safety are improved; and
5. v) the degree of digitalisation is increased.

Claims (7)

Method for providing a departure permit for a rail vehicle located in a stopping section, comprising the following steps: (a) provision of a control system for the dispatch of the rail vehicle within a rail network; b) provision of timetable data for the rail vehicle on a mobile communication device by the control system; c) providing a specific application accessible from the mobile communication device that triggers the readiness of the rail vehicle to depart for a selectable set of timetable data; d) transmitting the readiness to depart to an on-board device in the driver’s cab of the rail vehicle; and e) Reporting the receipt of the readiness to depart from the on-board device to the mobile communication device. Method according to claim 1,
characterized in that
In order to trigger the readiness for departure within the framework of the specific application, a train number, a departure station, a departure platform and a scheduled departure time are displayed on a display of the mobile communication device for each selectable data set. Method according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
For triggering the readiness to depart, the application displays on a display of the mobile communication device for each selectable data set whether the rail vehicle is even a candidate for a possible message of readiness to depart from the control technology perspective. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
for triggering the departure readiness within the specific application on a display of the mobile communication device is used to display for each selectable data set whether a route has been set that is necessary for the departure of the rail vehicle from a control technology perspective and follows the stopping section. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the mobile communication device is intended for use by a train attendant, whereby a train attendant application running on the mobile communication device enables the train attendant to access the specific application. Method according to claim 5,
characterized in that
the specific application is terminated after the on-board device has received confirmation that the train is ready to depart and, if necessary, a return to the train attendant application is made. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
From a control technology perspective, an examination of the respective operating situation on the rail network for the rail vehicle is carried out on the basis of the data available in the control system.

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