Abstract: A method for safe supervising train integrity includes: (a) acquiring first position data of the first carriage via a first tracking unit which is installed on-board of a first carriage and acquiring second position data of a second carriage via a second tracking unit which is installed on-board of the second carriage, wherein the position data is related to a rail route coordinate system; (b) determining a deviation between a reference value which depends on the length of the train and a position value which depends on position data of at least one of the tracking units; (c) detecting whether train integrity is given by analyzing the deviation; (d) repeating steps a) through c); wherein the tracking units are part of on-board units of an automatic train protection system. Thus a cost-efficient method for supervising train integrity which complies with safety level SIL4 can be realized.

Abstract: A method for safe supervising train integrity includes: (a) acquiring first position data of the first carriage via a first tracking unit which is installed on-board of a first carriage and acquiring second position data of a second carriage via a second tracking unit which is installed on-board of the second carriage, wherein the position data is related to a rail route coordinate system; (b) determining a deviation between a reference value which depends on the length of the train and a position value which depends on position data of at least one of the tracking units; (c) detecting whether train integrity is given by analyzing the deviation; (d) repeating steps a) through c); wherein the tracking units are part of on-board units of an automatic train protection system. Thus a cost-efficient method for supervising train integrity which complies with safety level SIL4 can be realized.

Abstract: To minimize headways between trains at stops in short-distance rail transport systems, an electronic drawbar is proposed which makes it possible to cause a following train to approach a train ahead up to a few meters and to follow at this distance in an electronically coupled mode. A method for carrying out the invention is wherein a rail vehicle with zero speed or with a speed below a predetermined minimum speed transmits a message which contains propulsion and braking control information or ready signals for activating an electronic drawbar for a following rail vehicle, and that after reception of the message from the rail vehicle ahead, the following rail vehicle approaches the rail vehicle ahead up to a predetermined distance.

Abstract: To minimize headways between trains at stops in short-distance rail transport systems, an electronic drawbar is proposed which makes it possible to cause a following train to approach a train ahead up to a few meters and to follow at this distance in an electronically coupled mode. A method for carrying out the invention is wherein a rail vehicle with zero speed or with a speed below a predetermined minimum speed transmits a message which contains propulsion and braking control information or ready signals for activating an electronic drawbar for a following rail vehicle, and that after reception of the message from the rail vehicle ahead, the following rail vehicle approaches the rail vehicle ahead up to a predetermined distance.

Abstract: To minimize headways between trains at stops in short-distance rail transport systems, an electronic drawbar is proposed which makes it possible to cause a following train to approach a train ahead up to a few meters and to follow at this distance in an electronically coupled mode. A method for carrying out the invention is wherein a rail vehicle with zero speed or with a speed below a predetermined minimum speed transmits a message which contains propulsion and braking control information or ready signals for activating an electronic drawbar for a following rail vehicle, and that after reception of the message from the rail vehicle ahead, the following rail vehicle approaches the rail vehicle ahead up to a predetermined distance.

Abstract: To minimize headways between trains at stops in short-distance rail transport systems, an electronic drawbar is proposed which makes it possible to cause a following train to approach a train ahead up to a few meters and to follow at this distance in an electronically coupled mode. A method for carrying out the invention is wherein a rail vehicle with zero speed or with a speed below a predetermined minimum speed transmits a message which contains propulsion and braking control information or ready signals for activating an electronic drawbar for a following rail vehicle, and that after reception of the message from the rail vehicle ahead, the following rail vehicle approaches the rail vehicle ahead up to a predetermined distance.