Transmission-based train control
{{Short description|Railway signaling technology}}
Transmission-based train control (TBTC) is a communication technology protocol used in railway signaling.{{Cite journal |title=Radio Communication for Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC): A Tutorial and Survey |date=2017 |url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7836324 |access-date=2024-02-05 |doi=10.1109/comst.2017.2661384 |last1=Farooq |first1=Jahanzeb |last2=Soler |first2=José |journal=IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials |volume=19 |issue=3 |pages=1377–1402 |s2cid=20403360 }} It encapsulates all railway signaling methodologies or frameworks that rely on the communication between the control room, trackside systems and onboard systems to ensure safe train movements.{{Cite journal |last1=Zhu |first1=Li |last2=Yu |first2=Fei Richard |last3=Ning |first3=Bin |last4=Tang |first4=Tao |date=2012-07-09 |title=Handoff management in communication-based train control networks using stream control transmission protocol and IEEE 802.11p WLANs |journal=EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking |volume=2012 |issue=1 |pages=211 |doi=10.1186/1687-1499-2012-211 |doi-access=free |issn=1687-1499}}
Background
Transmission-based train control (TBTC) uses induction loop technology to facilitate communication between onboard systems and trackside systems.{{Cite journal |last=Tan |first=B. T. G. |date=March 2019 |title=The Physics of Railway Signalling |url=https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S266133951950001X |journal=The Physics Educator |language=en |volume=01 |issue=1 |pages=1950001 |doi=10.1142/S266133951950001X |issn=2661-3395|url-access=subscription }}
Types of transmission-based train control
= Positive train control =
Positive Train control is a type of automatic train protection system that prevents train-to-train collision, over speeding and unauthorized train movements.{{Cite web |title=An Introduction to Positive Train Control {{!}} Metrolink |url=https://metrolinktrains.com/rider-info/safety--security/positive-train-control/ |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=metrolinktrains.com |language=en}} It used GPS technology and wireless radio to calculate safe distances between trains to transmit movement authority from the onboard controllers on the following train, to the wayside controllers to prevent collision with the leading train. Positive Train Control calculates train stopping distances and prompts locomotive engineers to slow down based on each train’s weight, length, speed and track terrain. The sophisticated safety system automatically stops trains if engineers do not respond in a timely manner, preventing certain accidents caused by human error including train-to-train collisions.{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=Rachel |title=Research Guides: Rail Transportation: Positive Train Control |url=https://libguides.northwestern.edu/c.php?g=114812&p=5515581 |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=libguides.northwestern.edu |language=en}}
= Communication-based train control =
According to the IEEE 1474 (1999), communications-based train control (CBTC) is a continuous, automatic train control system utilizing high-resolution train location determination, independent of track circuits and continuous communication between train onboard systems and wayside systems.{{Cite book |last1=Ogunsola |first1=Ade |last2=Reggiani |first2=Ugo |last3=Sandrolini |first3=Leonardo |title=2007 18th International Zurich Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility |chapter=Demonstrating signalling compatibility between two train control systems |date=September 2007 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/emczur.2007.4388270 |pages=361–364 |publisher=IEEE |doi=10.1109/emczur.2007.4388270|isbn=978-3-9523286-1-3 }} They rely on Wi-Fi or LTE radio technology to establish this bi-directional communication between the train and wayside controllers.