Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an interlocking protection device for turnout switching. The interlocking protection device for turnout switching comprises a receiving module, a confirmation module, a processing module, and a centralized control interlocking module, wherein the receiving module is configured to receive a turnout switching instruction; the confirmation module is configured to receive a confirmation instruction; the processing module is configured to determine a target turnout position according to the turnout switching instruction and output a driving confirmation signal according to the confirmation instruction; and the centralized control interlocking module comprises a confirmation unit and a position switch unit. Under a centralized control mode, the confirmation unit carries out separate turnout locking according to the target turnout position and carries out locking confirmation according to the driving confirmation signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling parking of an autonomous vehicle. A method of parking an autonomous vehicle includes receiving sensor data indicative of an exterior environment of the autonomous vehicle. The received sensor data is processed to determine a parking space characterization. Additional sensor data is received that is indicative of an occupant location within the autonomous vehicle. A processor determines a parking position within a parking space based on the parking space characterization and the occupant location. The processor generates control signals to operate one or more actuator devices to maneuver the autonomous vehicle into the parking space at the parking position.

Abstract: A sequential monitoring system is for an interlocking logic system and a track circuit system including a plurality of track circuits. The sequential monitoring system includes an interface between the interlocking logic system and the track circuit system; and a processor structured to monitor a state of each of the track circuits, validate a sequence of state changes of the track circuits, and interrupt and correct invalid track circuit state indications between the track circuit system and the interlocking logic system. The interface normally passes inputs from the track circuit system to outputs to the interlocking logic system. When an out of sequence event occurs, the processor applies a quarantine to a minimum of three of the track circuits in a quarantined area, thereby inhibiting use of an unoccupied track circuit in the quarantined area.

Abstract: A method is provided. The method includes, the railway network being subdivided into resources, the state being driven by a ground controller, and each vehicle including an onboard controller being capable of communicating with the ground controller. The method includes planning, by a regulating unit, of a vehicle's mission, transmitting said mission to the vehicle. The onboard controller of identifying a group of resources permitting the vehicle to continue its mission, reserving the identified resources with the ground controllers, once all of the resources are allocated, interlocking each resource in a required state, verifying that each resource is reserved and is in the required state and, when this verification is positive, extending permission for the vehicle to move on the path corresponding to said group of resources.

Abstract: A distributed interlocking device, architecture and process are disclosed, and are based on segregating the vital logic for a signal installation by type of signal equipment. A plurality of intelligent signal devices is disclosed, wherein each intelligent signal device is used to control a basic signal unit. In turn, a signal unit includes a set of signal apparatuses that are geographically and logically interrelated. An intelligent signal device receives data related to the states of other signal devices, determines and controls its own operational states, and communicates its own operational states to other devices. A generic intelligent signal device is also disclosed, and is based on a parameterization approach that incorporates a plurality of vital parameters into the vital logic of the device. The device is then customized to a site specific location by activating the appropriate parameters for that location.

Abstract: A railway vital or critical application system substitutes commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and/or software for railway-domain specific product components, yet is validated to conform with railway vital system failure-free standards. The vital system uses a pair of COTS personal computers and operating systems with asymmetric communications capability. Each computer and operating system may differ for additional redundancy. Both computers receive and verify vital systems input message data and security code integrity and separately generate output data responsive to the input message. The first computer has sole capability to send vital system output messages including the output data and an output security code, but only the second computer has the capability of generating the output security code. A failure of either computer's hardware, software or processing capability results failure to transmit a vital system output message or an output message that cannot be verified by other vital systems.

Abstract: A code bit level redundancy method for a computer interlocking system is provided. The method includes: (1) controlling the output in parallel, and (2) sharing the collected information.

Abstract: A distributed interlocking device, architecture and process are disclosed, and are based on segregating the vital logic for a signal installation by type of signal equipment. A plurality of intelligent signal devices is disclosed, wherein each intelligent signal device is used to control a basic signal unit. In turn, a signal unit includes a set of signal apparatuses that are geographically and logically interrelated. An intelligent signal device receives data related to the states of other signal devices, determines and controls its own operational states, and communicates its own operational states to other devices. A generic intelligent signal device is also disclosed, and is based on a parameterization approach. The device is then customized to a site specific location by activating the appropriate parameters for that location. Further, a new vital change management process, and a new failure recovery scheme are disclosed.

Abstract: A distributed interlocking device, architecture and process are disclosed, and are based on segregating the vital logic for a signal installation by type of signal equipment. A plurality of intelligent signal devices is disclosed, wherein each intelligent signal device is used to control a basic signal unit. In turn, a signal unit includes a set of signal apparatuses that are geographically and logically interrelated. An intelligent signal device receives data related to the states of other signal devices, determines and controls its own operational states, and communicates its own operational states to other devices. A generic intelligent signal device is also disclosed, and is based on a parameterization approach that incorporates a plurality of vital parameters into the vital logic of the device. The device is then customized to a site specific location by activating the appropriate parameters for that location.

Abstract: A method for controlling a model railroad stationary switch machine comprising sensing whether a train occupies a main track section near a track switch that connects between said main track section and at least two diverging track sections. An automatic switch control function for the track switch is inhibited in response to sensing that a train occupies the main track section near the track switch when a train is determined to be approaching the track switch on at least one of the diverging track sections. In addition, a method is provided for controlling a model railroad track switch comprising changing a position of the track switch, and automatically returning the track switch to a home position after expiration of a time interval following the changing of the track switch position.

Abstract: A turn-on interlock for propelling a vehicle, in particular a magnetic levitation train (maglev), along a track is disclosed, as well as a drive incorporating the turn-on interlock. A stator of a linear motor forming the drive and extending along the track is divided into a plurality of stator sections which can be sequentially connected to an electric power source for propelling the vehicle. Each stator section has one or more feed switches for connecting the stator section to an electric power source, and signaling elements ganged with the feed switches. The turn-on interlock prevents more than one stator section from being connected to the power source at any given time. A stator section can only be connected if all signaling elements or all signaling elements of at least a predetermined subset of the signaling elements indicate an “open” switching state of the feed switch.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting electrical energy to a signal suitable for driving a light element in an End of Train device in a model train track arrangement. The apparatus includes an EOT device engageable with a model railway vehicle that can be easily installed and removed for relocation between model railway vehicles. A control system for such EOT device. At least a portion of an electronic circuit is disposed at least one of on a truck of such model railway vehicle and a body portion of the EOT device for power conversion and light signal timing and at least one light element is disposed at least one of in and on such EOT device and connected to receive a signal from the electronic circuit.

Abstract: A distributed control system for a track network includes a local controller connected to a plurality of switch machines and a central office. The local controller receives from each switch machine a switch position signal and outputs to at least one switch machine a switch control signal related to a desired state of a track switch associated with the at least one switch machine in one of a plurality of positions. The local controller further outputs to the central office a first communication signal including switch position data corresponding to the switch position signal output by the at least one switch machine and receives from the central office, as a function of the first communication signal and a desired movement of one or more vehicles on the track network, a second communication signal which includes switch control data corresponding to the switch control data output to the at least one switch machine.

Abstract: An interlocking for a railway system, comprises first, control computing means (2) which commands route settings in the system and second, protection computing means (3) coupled with the first computing means (2) and which allows commands from the first computing means (2) to be brought into effect or otherwise in dependence on the state of the railway system.

Abstract: A method of implementing a computer based interlocking system for automatic train protection includes providing a data base of prestored rule sets for a plurality of guideway objects, the guideway objects being represented as one or more virtual gates of a plurality of virtual gate types, the rule sets defining conditions for a respective guideway object which must be met before entry through a virtual gate of the object is permitted. A high-level description of a guideway layout including all of the guideway objects that form interlocking zones is input and processed using the pre-stored rule sets to form an overall interlocking system definition by locating, retrieving and linking appropriate rule sets corresponding to the respective input guideway objects.

Abstract: A system for indicating occupancy of track sections in an interlocking area is disclosed comprising a multicomputer system which is assigned to several track circuits and processes the "unoccupied" or "occupied" indications of these track circuits. The multicomputer system, which is of a fail-safe design, also checks the operation of the associated track circuits and transfers an "unoccupied" or "occupied" indication of an associated track section to the interlocking station only if the test of this track circuit was positive. Any failures detected are also signaled to the interlocking station.

Abstract: A computer-controlled interlocking system for a railway installation which comprises a plurality of sections, each of which sections has an associated plurality of elements, comprises a plurality of section computers to be respectively associated with the sections and arranged to be fail-safe in terms of signaling technology. Each section computer is provided with a respective program memory which, in turn, is provided with programs relating to the processing of requirements for control, both individual and in relation to routes, of all the associated plurality of roadway elements independently of their presence an arrangement in the relevant section. Each section computer also has a write/read memory arranged for receiving and storing installation-specific data relating to the railway installation topography and the respective element characterization in terms of type of element, element program, element designation and the arrangement of the elements relative to neighboring elements.

Abstract: An electronic or computer-based railway control system including further safety checks in addition to normal safety interlocking. The present system carries out checks to see that operations, such as print switching and signal setting, are carried out in the correct sequence for a given route having regard to the position and movement of a train as indicated by track circuits. In a computer-based system appropriate checking routines may be written into the computer soft-ware.

Abstract: A block control system for wheeled, track-mounted vehicles each having a driving motor energized from power conductor rails extending parallel to the track through collector shoes mounted on the vehicle. A track layout is provided with two or more successive traffic control blocks each having a signalling section of conductor bar electrically connected to a blocking section of conductor bar in the next trailing block. The signalling and blocking conductor bar sections are engageable respectively by separate signalling and blocking contact shoes carried by each vehicle. A block control relay on each vehicle includes a contact in series with the vehicle driving motor control circuit, and the operational state of this relay is controlled by a circuit which is established through the signalling and blocking contact shoes and the conductor bar sections engaged thereby and which applies a blocking signal to the relay of a vehicle in a trailing block in response to the presence of a vehicle in a leading block.

Abstract: Insulated joint failure detectors are placed at each controlled signal location in the railroad interlocking to detect the condition of the insulated joints and also the passage of each truck of a train moving in either direction past that signal. Contacts individually responsive to detector operation serially control the lockout of cab signal transmitters to inhibit the transmission of cab signal commands within the interlocking if an insulated joint fails or an unauthorized train overruns a controlled signal. These detector contacts are individually bypassed by parallel circuit paths, controlled either by the corresponding home signal relay or cab signal control relays properly energized along an established route, in order to prevent lockout when the train is authorized to pass that signal location.

Abstract: Trains approaching the junction switch for two converging rail lines are detected by separate approach relays which repeat one or more track sections along each approach line. Each approach relay is reset when the train from the corresponding branch, as designated by switch correspondence relays, occupies the switch detector track section. The approach relays control the position of a magnetic stick sequencing relay. The reset of each approach relay by switch section occupancy assures the alternate positioning of the sequencing relay when successive trains simultaneously approach on both branches. The sequencing relay position selects a corresponding interlocking route relay which prepares and initiates the establishment of the route over the junction switch for the next train. Since the sequencing relay alternately operates to each of its positions, the route relays are alternately selected and trains thus alternately move from each approach branch line into the single track.