AU2015200810A1 - Rail Vehicle Tracking System and Method - Google Patents

Abstract

- 23 A rail vehicle tracking system 12 is described for a rail system 10 which enables the tracking of track vehicles 5 such as hi-rails and track machines on the same electronic map 20 as locos. The rail vehicle tracking system 12 comprises a track vehicle information system 30 which provides position information for the track vehicles. This information is provided to the electronic map which 10 also receives data relating to loco position via a separate signalling system 16. The track vehicle position information is translated to location data relating to a rail network 14 on which the track vehicles and the locos travel, enabling both track vehicle and loco positions to 15 be displayed on the same electronic map 20. 62274521 (GHMatters) P79385.AU.2 MCAMP 18/02/15 '/3 (0 - -~ g2) lb -7 ILf

Description

- 1 RAIL VEHICLE TRACKING SYSTEM AND METHOD Field of the Invention 5 The present invention relates to a rail vehicle tracking system and method and to components and subsystems of such a system. Background of the Invention 10 A rail transport system comprises a network of rail tracks on which rail vehicles can travel. The track is divided into sections that extend between various destinations. Each track section is provided with a track circuit. A 15 signalling system incorporated in the rail transport system communicates between the track sections and a train control centre (TCC) housing a train control system (TCS) to control the movement of the rail vehicles. The TCS incorporates an electronic map displaying the rail network 20 and showing the routes or intended routes of the rail vehicles and their current positions. A track circuit is short circuited by the leading rail axle of a light engine or a head end lead loco of a consist. This short circuiting (known as "dropping a block") is detected by 25 the signalling system and is communicated by the signalling system to the TCS which is able to display the location of the light engine or consist on the electronic map in real time. The location of the light engine or consist is depicted proportionally along the track section 30 at the best resolution that can be achieved. While a light engine or consist is able to drop a block, rail vehicles such as hi-rails and some track machines do not, or cannot reliably, drop a block and thus their location on the rail network cannot be reliably determined by way 35 of the signalling system once they have mounted, or commenced travel along, the rail network. Thus these vehicles cannot be depicted on the same electronic map 62274521 (GHMatters) P79385.AU.2 MCAMP 18/02/15 - 2 used for depicting the location of rail vehicles such as light engines and consists. Summary of the Invention 5 One aspect of the present invention provides rail vehicle tracking system (RVTS) for a rail system having a rail network comprising a plurality of track sections on which a plurality of rail vehicles travel, and a signalling 10 system associated with the rail network and a train control system (TCS) associated with the signalling system, wherein the rail vehicles comprise one or more locomotives and at least one or more track vehicles, the RVTS comprising: 15 an electronic map adapted to receive input data from at least the TCS wherein the electronic map is arranged to visually depict at least a portion of the rail network and substantially real time locations of the rail vehicles on the portion of the rail network. 20 In an alternate aspect, the present invention provides rail vehicle tracking system (RVTS) for a rail system having a rail network comprising a plurality of track sections on which a plurality of rail vehicle travel, and 25 a signalling system associated with the rail network and a train control system (TCS) associated with the signalling system, the TCS supplying data to an electronic map which visually depicts at least a portion of the rail network, wherein the rail vehicles comprise one or more locomotives 30 and at least one or more track vehicles, the RVTS comprising: a track vehicle information system (TVIS) arranged to provide information on at least track vehicle positions independent of the signalling system to enable the 35 electronic map to visually depict substantially real time locations of the rail vehicles on the portion of the rail network. 62274521 (GHMatters) P79385.AU.2 MCAMP 18/02/15 - 3 The RVTS may comprise a track vehicle information system (TVIS) arranged to provide at least position information, independent of the signalling system, relating to the 5 track vehicles to the TCS to enable display of track vehicle location on the electronic map. The RVTS may be arranged to enable the electronic map to depict track sections occupied by the locos and the track 10 vehicles in visually distinct manners whereby track sections occupied by locos can be distinguished from track sections occupied by track vehicles The RVTS may be further arranged to operate the electronic 15 map to visually depict locations of the locos and track vehicles in the manner wherein where position information is available for any one loco or track vehicle from both the signalling system and the TVIS priority is provided to location data sourced from the signalling system over 20 location data sources from the TVIS in the event of a conflict in the position information. The TVIS may be arranged to also provide status information of the track vehicles to the TCS. 25 The position information may comprise one or a combination of: GPS based location data, including differential GPS location data, and 30 a time stamp pertaining to the time at which the information is provided. The status information may comprise engine ignition status of the track vehicle. 35 When the track vehicle is a hi-rail the status information may comprise hi-rail gear position. 62274521 (GHMatters) P79385.AU.2 MCAMP 18/02/15 - 4 The TVIS may comprise at least one GPS device on one or more of the track vehicles. 5 The TVIS may also comprise an engine ignition status sensor on one or more of the track vehicles. The TVIS may further comprise a communication system which enables communication of the position and status 10 information from the track vehicles to the TCS. The communication system may be a satellite radio communications system. The RVTS may be enabled to process information relating to 15 the track vehicles provided by the TVIS and to provide the processed information to the TCS to enable the electronic map to display the location of the track vehicles with reference to the rail network. 20 The RVTS may be arranged to transform the GPS based position information of rail vehicles to a position on the track network wherein the electronic map displays vehicle location on a representation of the track network based on the transformed position data. 25 The RVTS may be operable, for each track vehicle to perform one or more of the following tasks; retrieve latest position information that is available; 30 determine a closest track crossing; determine distance from the track vehicle to the closest track crossing; determine closest track line; determine distance from a track line when the track 35 vehicle is not travelling along the track line; determine direction of travel of a track vehicle; retrieve a quality indicator of position data; 62274521 (GHMatters) P79385.AU.2 MCAMP 18/02/15 - 5 retrieve a time stamp as to time of retrieving the latest position information; determine if track vehicle ignition is ON or OFF; when the track vehicle is a hi-rail determine if the 5 hi-rail gear is up or down. The RVTS may be further configured to perform upon notification of a new position for a particular track vehicle one or more of the following tasks: 10 determine closest track crossing; calculate distance from the closest track crossing; determine the closest track line; calculate distance from the track when the track vehicle is not travelling along the track; 15 calculate chainage along the track line; determine direction of travel; retrieve a time stamp as to time for latest reported position; in the event that the track vehicle is a hi-rail, 20 determine whether the hi-rail gear is up or down. The RVTS may be operable to automatically update the display on the electronic map at a predetermined frequency, for example everything 30 seconds. 25 The RTVS may be further configured to enable adjustment of the frequency. A further embodiment of the invention provides a track 30 vehicle tracking system for a rail system having a rail network comprising a plurality of track sections, a signalling system and a train control system associated with the signalling system to control access to the track sections and to receive information from the signalling 35 system regarding rail vehicles on the track sections, the track vehicle tracking system comprising: a communication system independent of the signalling 62274521 (GHMatters) P79385.AU.2 MCAMP 18/02/15 - 6 system which provides information relating to the track vehicles; and, an electronic map at the train control system wherein the electronic map is configured to visually depict 5 substantially real time location of the locos and the track vehicles on the track network, wherein the depiction of the track vehicle location is derived from at least the information provided by the communication system. 10 The information may comprise one or a combination of GPS based location data, engine ignition status, and hi-rail gear position. The track vehicle tracking system may further comprise a 15 track vehicle tracking system arranged to transform the GPS based data of the track vehicles to a position on the track network wherein the electronic map can receive and display track vehicle location based on the transformed position data. 20 A further aspect of the invention provides a rail system comprising: a rail network comprising a plurality of track sections, one or more locos and one or more track vehicles 25 that travel along the rail network, a train control system (TCS), a signalling system associated with the rail network and the TCS and a track vehicle information system (TVIS) which provides information relating to location and/or status of the rail vehicles to the TCS independent 30 of the signalling system; wherein the TCS is provided with an electronic map arranged to visually depict at least a portion of the rail network and locations of locos and track vehicles on the at least a portion of the track network wherein the 35 locations are based on information received from one or both of the signalling system and the track vehicle information system. 62274521 (GHMatters) P79385.AU.2 MCAMP 18/02/15 - 7 In the above rail system, the TCS may be further arranged to operate the electronic map to visually depict locations of the locos and track vehicles in the manner wherein 5 priority is provided to location data sourced from the signalling system over location data sources from the TVIS. Brief Description of the Drawings 10 An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 15 Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a rail system incorporating a rail vehicle tracking system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the rail vehicle 20 tracking system; and, Figure 3 is a representation of a display on an electronic map incorporated in an embodiment of the system shown in Figures 1 and 2. 25 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment In the specification, the term "rail vehicle" is intended to denote all vehicles that are able to travel along a 30 rail track and include a locomotive, a consist, a hi-rail, and track machines. The term "track vehicle" is intended to denote and encompass a hi-rail, a track machine, and any other 35 vehicle that is capable of travelling along a rail track but excludes a locomotive or a consist. 62274521 (GHMatters) P79385.AU.2 MCAMP 18/02/15 - 8 A hi-rail is a road going vehicle such as a four wheel drive or truck that is modified to include a hi-rail gear which in essence comprises rail wheels attached to axles that can be raised to enable the vehicle to travel on a 5 road, or lowered to allow the vehicle to travel along a train track. Usually a hi-rail can not short circuit a track circuit (i.e. can not "drop a block") either due to the construction of the hi-rail gear or due to the relatively low weight of the hi-rail vehicle. 10 A track machine is a custom built rail going vehicle and can often (but not always) drop a block. However track machines are often parked on uncircuited sidings and thus their position can not be detected until they move onto a 15 circuited block of the track. Figure 1 depicts a rail system 10 incorporating an embodiment of a rail vehicle tracking system (RVTS) 12. The rail system 10 comprises a rail network 14 comprising 20 a plurality of adjoining track sections on which rail vehicles can travel. The rail system 10 also comprises a signalling system 16 and a train control system (TCS) 18. The TCS 18 incorporates or otherwise drives an electronic map 20 which depicts the rail network 14 as well as the 25 location of locos and consists. The signalling system 16, rail network 14, and TCS 18 are associated with each other to the extent that a train controller can operate the TCS 18 to affect interlocks in the rail network 14 via the signalling system 16. The RVTS 12 operates to enable the 30 map 20 to depict real time information relating to at least the track vehicles. As explained in greater detail below, this is achieved by the RVTS providing information relating to the track vehicle to the TCS 18 enabling the TCS 18 to drive map 20 to depict the locations of the 35 track vehicles. Notionally, the RTVS may be considered as comprising or 62274521 (GHMatters) P79385.AU.2 MCAMP 18/02/15 - 9 otherwise incorporating the map 20, as the electronic map 20 visually depicts the information or processed information derived from sub systems of the RTVS. 5 Equally however, the RVTS may be considered as a system that provides information to the TCS 18 enabling the map 20 to display the substantial real time locations of the rail vehicles, the map 20 being considered as part of the TCS 18. 10 The map 20 is able to depict the location of locos and consists via information derived from the signalling system 16. This arises from the ability of the loco or consist, to drop a block as it travels along the rail 15 network. In this regard, as described earlier, the leading axle of loco or a head end lead loco of a consist shorts the track circuit on a track section. The shorting of a track circuit is detected by the signalling system 16 which is communicated to the TCS 18 which in turn drives 20 the map 20 to depict the track section in question as occupied. However various track vehicles and in particular hi-rails are not able to drop a block and therefore can not be detected by the signalling system 16, or at least if initially detected by the signalling system 25 16 by the use of shorting cables, can not have their position reliably determined by the signalling system once their journey has commenced. Embodiments of the RVTS 12 comprise various systems and 30 components to provide information comprising position information and/or status information for the track vehicles enabling their location to be depicted on a common map together with locos and consists. 35 With reference to Figure 2, the RVTS 12 comprises a plurality of GPS devices 22 which provide GPS position data for a track vehicle. Each track vehicle covered by 62274521 (GHMatters) P79385.AU.2 MCAMP 18/02/15 - 10 the RVTS 12 is fitted with at least one GPS device 22. RVTS 12 also comprises one or more sensors 24a, 24b, (hereinafter referred to as "sensors 24") for sensing status or operation conditions of a track vehicles. These 5 sensors may include for example, an ignition sensor which determines whether the ignition of a track vehicle is ON or OFF; and, for a hi-rail, the position of the hi-rail gear (ie gear up or gear down). 10 The GPS devices 22 and the sensors 24 are coupled to a radio transmitter 26 which transmits the position and status information via a communication network 28 to the TCS 18. The communication network 28 may be radio (eg a satellite) communication system. The combination of the 15 GPS devices 22, the sensors 24, and the communication network 28 may be considered as forming a track vehicle information system (TVIS) 30. The position and status information provided by the track 20 vehicle information system 30 is relayed to the TCS 18 via a sub-system 32. Sub-system 32 processes the information provided by the TVIS 30 and provides the processed information to the TCS 18 in accordance with the prescribed formats or protocols to enable the TCS 18 to 25 use the processed information to drive the map 20 to depict the real time locations of the track vehicles. The sub-system 32 runs various applications and algorithms to transform or otherwise resolve the GPS based position 30 data to location data or coordinates referenced to the rail network. This enables the map to depict the location of a track vehicle on a representation of the rail network. 35 Figure 3 is a representation of a display on the electronic map 20 in one embodiment of the rail vehicle tracking system 12. The map 20 can be manipulated to 62274521 (GHMatters) P79385.AU.2 MCAMP 18/02/15 - 11 display all or selected track sections of the rail network. In Figure 3, a portion of the rail network is depicted comprising a plurality of track sections A-N. The track sections are of different length. For the sake 5 of clarity the direction of point settings is not shown. Unoccupied sections of track are uncoloured (i.e. white). Sections of track which are occupied by a track vehicle are displayed in a unique manner depending on the type of track vehicle. Sections of track that may be inter locked 10 for travel of that track vehicle are also indicated in a different manner. Typically the representation is by way of different colours and/or the flashing of one or more sections of track. However for the purposes of this description, shading is used to represent sections of 15 track. The vertical lines in the track section C indicate that it is that section which is occupied by the hi-rail 24. The location of the arrow head shows the position of the hi-rail on the track section C to the best resolution of the map 20 while the direction of the arrow head shows 20 the direction of travel. Track sections D, E and N which are consecutively contiguous from section C are illustrated as shaded gray to illustrate that these sections have been interlocked to prevent entry of other rail vehicles other than the hi-rail 24. 25 The track section M is marked with crosses. This indicates that the track section is occupied by a light engine. The position of the light engine along a track section M and its direction of travel is indicated by the 30 double arrow head 33. Thus, the map 20 in system 12 is able to display the position or location on a section of track and direction of travel of all rail vehicles (i.e. locomotives, consists, hi-rails, track machines) in real time or substantially real time. 35 The sub-system 32 is also able to determine or calculate, from the information provided by the TVIS, one or more of 62274521 (GHMatters) P79385.AU.2 MCAMP 18/02/15 - 12 the following: which track section is closest to the track vehicle in question; which rail line is closest to the track vehicle in 5 question; track vehicle position as a chainage value along the line; perpendicular distance from the closest track line/ track section; 10 direction of travel; closest crossing; distance from closest crossing; time stamp (i.e. date and time the GPS data was captured); 15 quality indicator of the positioned data (for example whether or not the position data is differential or GPS); status of hi-rail gear (i.e. up or down); whether ignition of the track vehicle is ON or OFF. 20 It is further envisaged that the subsystem 32 will be configured at start up to perform the following tasks: start all software automatically; read in all GPS track data including track crossings from a file or database and store this information 25 internally for use when determining track vehicle position in relation to the rail network; retrieve unique identification numbers of all track vehicles; this may be from an internal or from an external source; 30 for each track vehicle ID retrieved, identify the latest position information that is available; determine the closest track crossing; determine distance from the closest crossing; determine the closest track line; 35 determine the distance from the track; determine the track section; determine the chainage along rail line; 62274521 (GHMatters) P79385.AU.2 MCAMP 18/02/15 - 13 determine the direction of travel; retrieve a GPS quality indicator (ie GPS or DGPS); retrieve a time stamp for the latest position; determine whether ignition is ON or OFF; 5 determine whether the hi-rail gear is up or down; store the above data for instant transfer to the TCS 18 on request. When the sub-system 32 is running it is envisaged that the 10 sub-system 32 will perform the following tasks: (a) poll either all or selected rail vehicles for updates of their position and status information data, the time interval for the polling may be configurable by an operator or system administrator; 15 (b) on receipt of the latest position information determine the closest track crossing determine the distance from the closest track crossing; determine the closest track line; 20 determine the distance from the track; determine the chain along the track line; determine the closest track section; determine the direction of travel; retrieve a GPS quality indicator; 25 retrieve a date stamp for the latest position; determine whether ignition is ON or OFF; determine whether the hi-rail gear is up or down; store the above data for instant transfer to the TCS 18 on 30 request; (c) Log all GPS position information on a log file including for example a text based human readable log file, a CSV (Comma separated values) file or similar file. 35 (d) Poll/ query the TVIS 30 for new track vehicle IDs (this may also be done at a configurable frequency, for example every five minutes) 62274521 (GHMatters) P79385.AU.2 MCAMP 18/02/15 - 14 (e) Accept requests from the TCS 18 for all track vehicle IDs (f) Return all track vehicle IDs to the TCS 18. (g) Accept requests for the hi-rail gear status for 5 all track vehicles from the TCS 18. (In this regard, the RVTS 10 may be configured to provide track machines with a default hi-rail gear status as down). (h) Return all track vehicle statuses to the TCS 18. (i) Accept requests from the TCS 18 for the hi-rail 10 gear status of the track vehicles. (j) Return all track vehicle gear status to the TCS 18. (k) Accept request from the TCS 18 for the latest position information for a particular track vehicle. 15 (1) Return latest record for a specific track vehicle on request from the TCS 18. The implementation of a rail vehicle tracking system 12 in accordance with the above described embodiment enables the 20 protection of track vehicle including hi-rails as the position of these vehicles can be determined independently of the signalling system 16 and depicted on the map 20. In particular this enables the TCS to provide electronic protection for the track vehicles when the signalling 25 system 16 is in communication with the TCS 18. Electronic protection interlocks on the rail network 14 preventing other rail vehicles from entering track sections covered by the electronic protection. Further, in the event of a communications failure between the signalling systems 16 30 and the TCS 18, the RVTS 12 further facilitates the ability to provide protection in the form of an authority to move. The provision of protection in the form of electronic protection and authority to move is described in Applicants corresponding Australian Patent application 35 Number 2008906184 the contents of which is incorporated herein by way of reference. 62274521 (GHMatters) P79385.AU.2 MCAMP 18/02/15 - 15 Now that an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail it would be apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts that numerous modifications and variations may be made without departing from departing 5 from the basic inventive concepts. For example, the RVTS 12 is described largely in relation to providing position and status information in relation to track vehicles. However the RVTS 12 can easily be extended to also provide similar information in relation to all rail vehicle 10 including light engines and consists. In the event that the TCS receives information from both the signalling system 16 and the RVTS 12 in relation the location of a rail vehicle, priority is given to location data source from the signalling system 16 in the event of a conflict 15 in information in relation to the location of that rail vehicle. That is if there is a mismatch in location information for a rail vehicle between the RVTS 12 and the signalling system 16 then the RVTS location information is overruled. This may occur for example when a hi-rail is 20 in the process of mounting the rail network 14. All such modification and variation together with others that would be obvious to persons of ordinary skilled in the art are deemed to be within the scope of the present 25 invention in nature of which is to be determined from the above description. 62274521 (GHMatters) P79385.AU.2 MCAMP 18/02/15

Claims (30)

1. A rail vehicle tracking system (RVTS) for a rail system having a rail network comprising a plurality of 5 track sections on which a plurality of rail vehicles travel, and a signalling system associated with the rail network and a train control system (TCS) associated with the signalling system, wherein the rail vehicles comprise one or more locomotives and at least one or more track 10 vehicles, the RVTS comprising: an electronic map adapted to receive input data from at least the TCS wherein the electronic map is arranged to visually depict at least a portion of the rail network and substantially real time locations of the rail vehicles on 15 the portion of the rail network.

2. The RVTS according to claim 1 comprising a track vehicle information system (TVIS) arranged to provide at least position information, independent of the signalling 20 system, relating to the track vehicles to the TCS to enable display of track vehicle location on the electronic map.

3. A rail vehicle tracking system (RVTS) for a rail 25 system having a rail network comprising a plurality of track sections on which a plurality of rail vehicle travel, and a signalling system associated with the rail network and a train control system (TCS) associated with the signalling system, the TCS supplying data to an 30 electronic map which visually depicts at least a portion of the rail network, wherein the rail vehicles comprise one or more locomotives and at least one or more track vehicles, the RVTS comprising: a track vehicle information system (TVIS) arranged to 35 provide information on at least track vehicle positions independent of the signalling system to enable the electronic map to visually depict substantially real time 62274521 (GHMatters) P79385.AU.2 MCAMP 18/02/15 - 17 locations of rail vehicles on the portion of the rail network.

4. The RVTS according to any one of claims 1-3 wherein 5 the electronic map depicts track sections occupied by the locos and the track vehicles in visually distinct manners whereby track sections occupied by locos are distinguished from track sections occupied by track vehicles. 10

5. The RVTS according to any one of claims 1-4 wherein the electronic map is operated to visually depict locations of the locos and track vehicles in the manner wherein where position information is available for any one loco or track vehicle from both the signalling system 15 and the TVIS priority is provided to position information sourced from the signalling system over position information sourced from the TVIS in the event of a conflict in the position information. 20

6. The RVTS according to any one of claims 2-5 wherein the position information comprises one, or a combination, of: GPS based location data, including differential GPS location data, and 25 a time stamp pertaining to the time at which the information is provided.

7. The RVTS according to any one of claims 1-6 wherein the TVIS is arranged to provide status information of the 30 track vehicles to the TCS.

8. The RVTS according to claim 7 wherein the status information comprises engine ignition status of the track vehicle. 35

9. The RVTS according to claim 7 or 8 wherein when the track vehicle is a hi-rail the status information 62274521 (GHMatters) P79385.AU.2 MCAMP 18/02/15 - 18 comprises hi-rail gear position.

10. The RVTS according to any one of claims 1-9 wherein the TVIS comprises at least one GPS device on one or more 5 of the track vehicles.

11. The RVTS according to any one of claims 1-10 wherein the TVIS comprises an engine ignition status sensor on one or more of the track vehicles. 10

12. The RVTS according to claim 9 wherein the TVIS comprises a hi-rail gear position sensor.

13. The RVTS according to any one of claims 2-12 wherein 15 the TVIS comprises a communication system which enables communication of the at least position information from the track vehicles to the TCS.

14. The RVTS according to claim 13 wherein the 20 communication system is a radio communications system.

15. The RVTS according to any one of claims 2-14 further enabled to process information relating to the track vehicles provided by the TVIS and to provide the processed 25 information to the TCS to enable the electronic map to display the location of the track vehicles with reference to the rail network.

16. The RVTS according to any one of claims 2 to 15 30 further enabled to transform GPS based position information of rail vehicles to a position on the track network wherein the electronic map displays vehicle location on a representation of the track network based on the transformed position information. 35

17. The RVTS according to claim 15 or 16 operable to perform, for each track vehicle one or more of the 62274521 (GHMatters) P79385.AU.2 MCAMP 18/02/15 - 19 following tasks: retrieve latest position information that is available; determine a closest track crossing; 5 determine distance from the track vehicle to the closest track crossing; determine closest track line; determine distance from a track line when the track vehicle is not travelling along the track line; 10 determine direction of travel of a track vehicle; retrieve a quality indicator of position data; retrieve a time stamp as to time of retrieving the latest position information; determine if track vehicle ignition is ON or OFF; 15 when the track vehicle is a hi-rail determined if the hi-rail gear is up or down.

18. The RVTS according to any one of claims 15-17 further enabled to perform, upon notification of a new position 20 for a particular track vehicle, one or more of the following tasks: determine closest track crossing; calculate distance from the closest track crossing; determine the closest track line; 25 calculate distance from the track when the track vehicle is not travelling along the track; calculate chainage along the track line; determine direction of travel; retrieve a time stamp as to time for latest reported 30 position; in the event that the track vehicle is a hi-rail, determines whether the hi-rail gear is up or down.

19. The RVTS according to any one of claims 1-18 wherein 35 the RVTS is operable to update the display on the electronic map at a predetermined frequency. 62274521 (GHMatters) P79385.AU.2 MCAMP 18/02/15 - 20

20. The RVTS according to claim 19 wherein the frequency is adjustable.

21. A track vehicle tracking system for a rail system 5 having a rail network comprising a plurality of track sections, a signalling system and a train control system associated with the signalling system to control access to the track sections and to receive information from the signalling system regarding rail vehicles on the track 10 sections, the track vehicle tracking system comprising: a communication system independent of the signalling system which provides information relating to the track vehicles; and, an electronic map at the train control system wherein 15 the electronic map is configured to visually depict substantially real time location of the locos and the track vehicles on the track network, wherein the depiction of the track vehicle location is derived from at least the information provided by the communication system. 20

22. The track vehicle tracking system according to claim 21 wherein the information comprises one or a combination of GPS based location data, engine ignition status, and hi-rail gear position. 25

23. The track vehicle tracking system according to claim 22, wherein the track vehicle tracking system is arranged to transform the GPS based data of the track vehicles to a position on the track network wherein the electronic map 30 can receive and display track vehicle location based on the transformed position data.

24. A rail transport system comprising: a rail network comprising a plurality of track 35 sections, one or more locos and one or more track vehicles that travel along the rail network, a train control system (TCS), a signalling system associated with the rail 62274521 (GHMatters) P79385.AU.2 MCAMP 18/02/15 - 21 network and the TCS and a track vehicle information system which provides information relating to location and/or status of the rail vehicles to the TCS independent of the signalling system; 5 wherein the TCS is provided with an electronic map arranged to visually depict at least a portion of the rail network and locations of locos and track vehicles on the at least a portion of the track network wherein the locations are based on information received from one or 10 both of the signalling system and the track vehicle information system.

25. A rail vehicle tracking system, a track vehicle tracking system or a rail transport system as claimed in 15 any one of the preceding claims wherein the signalling system provides a track circuit for each track section and the signalling system detects the presence of a loco in a track section through the shorting or completing of the track circuit through a leading axle of the loco. 20

26. A rail vehicle tracking system, a track vehicle tracking system or a rail transport system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24 wherein the signalling system provides a track circuit for each track section and 25 signalling system detects the presence of a loco in a track section through the shorting or completing of the track circuit through a leading axle of the loco and wherein a track vehicle is a vehicle capable of travelling along track sections of the rail network without being 30 detected or without being reliably detected by the signalling system.

27. A rail vehicle tracking system, a track vehicle tracking system or a rail transport system as claimed in 35 any one of claims 1 to 24 wherein the track vehicle is a hi-rail. 62274521 (GHMatters) P79385.AU.2 MCAMP 18/02/15 - 22

28. A rail vehicle tracking system substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 5

29. A track vehicle tracking system substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

30. A rail transport system substantially as herein 10 described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 62274521 (GHMatters) P79385.AU.2 MCAMP 18/02/15