Page 70 - วิศวกรรมสาร ปีที่ 74 ฉบับที่ 1 มกราคม - เมษายน 2564 : Thailand Engineering Journal

Additional data for the digital railway

With the increasing digitalisation of the railway industry, systems with extended functions are
gaining ground. This also applies to signalling technology and related areas. Systems used for
train detection should therefore be able to generate additional data. They can thus provide
information that goes beyond the presence of a train and track vacancy detection. The
prerequisites are the corresponding interfaces and existing transmission networks. Many rail
operators today have an IT infrastructure that forms the basis for various services. If the railway
operator does not have his network, a public network with the corresponding network
configuration can be used. The network used must provide the required bandwidth at all times
and meet the required standards, such as Layer 3.

Information acquisition utilising track circuit

The infrastructure used for the application of track circuits primarily provides for the detection of
track vehicles. Although various diagnostic systems for these installations are available, their
information is less comprehensive than in the axle counting sector. Therefore, applications
beyond track vacancy detection are only possible to a limited extent.

A frequently cited advantage of using track circuits is the detection of rail breaks. Optimistic
estimates based on practical experience attest track circuits a maximum rail break detection rate
of 30%. That said, track circuits are designed to track vacancy detection system no rail break
detection system. Hence track circuits do not detect rail breaks. A track circuit fails in case of hefty
rail breaks. At most rail breaks, track circuits do fail and hence cannot be used as a rail break
system to avoid accidents.

A far better option is to use systems designed to detect rail breakages that even provide
preventive messages to avoid accidents. It only occurs on isolated rail sections and does not
meet safety standards there either. Today there are alternative approaches available that detect
occurring damages before they lead to a complete rail break.

Additional information from axle counting systems
 Speed
Axle counters can provide a broad range of information  Direction of travel
for various applications using cleverly designed inductive  Wheel centre impulse
wheel sensors. The compact design also enables the  Wheel diameter
mounting of Frauscher Wheel Sensors, in which two  Diagnostic data
sensor coils are installed along the track.  Preventive extensive diagnostic
messages due to its smart
That’s where they reliably detect the flange of passing continue self-diagnostics
wheels. In combination with corresponding evaluation  Temperature
boards, inductive wheel sensors can be used to obtain  Vibrations
information that goes beyond track vacancy detection. It
includes: This extends the range of applications
in which axle counters and wheel
detection systems can be used.

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วิิศวิกรรมสาร ปีีที่่� 74 ฉบัับัที่่� 1 มกราคม-ม่นาคม 2564