Intrinsically Failsafe Radar as an Alternative to Track Circuits
(Room 205-207)
19 Sep 17
9:30 AM
-
10:00 AM
Tracks:
AREMA Full Schedule, AREMA Technical Sessions- C&S
Track circuits used for train detection on islands and on approaches for low-speed and infrequently used highway-rail grade crossings suffer low reliably due to chronically poor rail conditions. An alternative to track circuit detection is sought, one that can provide demonstrably equal or better performance and reliability. A combined radar/LiDAR system has been developed that provides non-track circuit train detection. A dual modular redundancy approach with deterministic characteristics provides a basis for achieving the high safety integrity levels demanded by train control and railroad signaling applications. Beyond island detection, the ability to reliably sense train presence, speed, heading, and track occupancy directly enables other applications including advanced preemption, over-switch prevention, end-of-train detection, and train detection in railroad crossing dead sections.