EP3805071A1 - System for managing the circulation of railway vehicles on sidings of a railway network - Google Patents

Abstract

This system comprises: a radiocommunication network respecting the LoRaWAN protocol, adopting a star topology between a central node and peripheral nodes; a gateway (40) constituting the central node; track devices (26, 27, 28, 29), each device being an object constituting a peripheral node, each device being in current state that can be remotely controlled; a request device (50, 52, 54) for transmitting a route request message to a server (42), the message indicating a route selected for the movement of a particular rail vehicle (2); and, the server (42), connected to the gateway (40) and executing software suitable for analyzing a route request message received and for controlling, via the radiocommunication network, the current state of the equipment on the track for open a route corresponding to the selected route.

Description

The present invention relates to that of systems for managing the circulation of railway vehicles on the service tracks of a railway network.

Service tracks (such as the tracks in a marshalling yard or those in a depot) are portions of a rail network that are made up of a large number of sections of track.

It appears difficult, especially at a reasonable cost, to equip service tracks with a rail vehicle traffic management system which would be based on the use of track circuits and / or axle counters to determine at at all times the occupancy status of each section of track and the position of railway vehicles on the service tracks.

As a result, until now, the movement of railway vehicles on the service tracks has been carried out by human intervention and driving on sight.

There is clearly a need to automate the movement of railway vehicles on the sidings.

• un réseau de radiocommunication respectant le protocole LoRaWAN, le réseau de radiocommunication adoptant une topologie en étoile entre un nœud central et une pluralité de nœuds périphériques ;
• une passerelle de communication constituant le nœud central du réseau de radiocommunication ;
• une pluralité d'équipements à la voie, chaque équipement à la voie étant un objet connecté intégrant une interface de radiocommunication constituant un nœud périphérique du réseau de radiocommunication, chaque équipement étant caractérisé par un état courant pouvant être commandé à distance ;
• un dispositif de requête propre à transmettre un message de requête d'itinéraire vers un serveur, un message de requête d'itinéraire indiquant un itinéraire sélectionné pour la circulation d'un véhicule ferroviaire particulier sur les voies de service ; et,
• le serveur, connecté à la passerelle et exécutant un logiciel de gestion propre à analyser un message de requête d'itinéraire reçu et à commander, via le réseau de radiocommunication, l'état courant des équipements à la voie pour ouvrir une route sur les voies de service correspondant à l'itinéraire sélectionné.

The object of the invention is therefore to meet this need. For this, the object of the invention is a system for managing the circulation of railway vehicles on service tracks of a railway network, which comprises:

• a radio communication network respecting the LoRaWAN protocol, the radio communication network adopting a star topology between a central node and a plurality of peripheral nodes;
• a communication gateway constituting the central node of the radio communication network;
• a plurality of track devices, each track device being a connected object integrating a radiocommunication interface constituting a peripheral node of the radiocommunication network, each device being characterized by a current state that can be remotely controlled;
• a request device suitable for transmitting a route request message to a server, a route request message indicating a route selected for the circulation of a particular railway vehicle on the service tracks; and,
• the server, connected to the gateway and running management software suitable for analyzing a route request message received and for controlling, via the radiocommunication network, the current state of the track equipment in order to open a route on the tracks service corresponding to the selected route.

• un équipement à la voie de la pluralité d'équipements à la voie est un moteur d'aiguillage, une pédale hydraulique, ou un feu de signalisation ;
• un équipement à la voie de la pluralité d'équipements à la voie est autonome, comportant de préférence une batterie alimentée par un panneau photovoltaïque ;
• le dispositif de requête est un terminal mobile embarqué à bord d'un véhicule ferroviaire par un conducteur dudit véhicule ferroviaire, le terminal mobile permettant au conducteur de sélectionner un itinéraire pour le véhicule ferroviaire qu'il conduit, le terminal mobile étant de préférence un objet connecté intégrant une interface de radiocommunication constituant un nœud périphérique du réseau de radiocommunication ;
• le terminal mobile comporte un moyen de géolocalisation par satellites et transmet régulièrement au serveur un message de localisation du véhicule ferroviaire à bord duquel ledit terminal mobile est embarqué, le serveur libérant une section de voie de la route ouverte pour ledit véhicule ferroviaire lorsque le message de localisation indique que ladite section de voie a été franchie par ledit véhicule ferroviaire ;
• le dispositif de requête est un panneau implanté le long des voies de service et permettant à un opérateur de sélectionner un itinéraire pour un véhicule ferroviaire particulier, le panneau étant de préférence un objet connecté intégrant une interface de radiocommunication constituant un nœud périphérique du réseau de radiocommunication ;
• le dispositif de requête est un centre de commande à distance des voies de service et permettant à un opérateur de sélectionner un itinéraire pour un véhicule ferroviaire particulier, le centre de commande étant de préférence interfacé au serveur via un réseau de communication du type réseau IP ;
• le logiciel de gestion exécuté par le serveur est propre à ouvrir une route correspondant à l'itinéraire sélectionné pour un véhicule ferroviaire particulier en fonction des routes déjà ouvertes pour d'autres véhicules ferroviaires circulant au même instant sur les voies de service ;
• le véhicule ferroviaire est un train ;
• le système comporte une interface avec un enclenchement réel équipant les voies de service ou un enclenchement équipant des voies principales du réseau ferroviaire.

According to particular embodiments, the system comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or according to all the technically possible combinations:

• one piece of track equipment of the plurality of track pieces of equipment is a switch motor, a hydraulic pedal, or a traffic light;
• one piece of track equipment of the plurality of track pieces of equipment is autonomous, preferably comprising a battery powered by a photovoltaic panel;
• the request device is a mobile terminal on board a rail vehicle by a driver of said rail vehicle, the mobile terminal allowing the driver to select a route for the rail vehicle he is driving, the mobile terminal preferably being an object connected integrating a radiocommunication interface constituting a peripheral node of the radiocommunication network;
• the mobile terminal comprises a means of geolocation by satellites and regularly transmits to the server a message locating the railway vehicle on board which said mobile terminal is on board, the server releasing a section of track of the road open for said railway vehicle when the message from location indicates that said section of track has been crossed by said rail vehicle;
• the request device is a panel installed along the service tracks and allowing an operator to select a route for a particular rail vehicle, the panel preferably being a connected object integrating a radio communication interface constituting a peripheral node of the radio communication network ;
• the request device is a remote control center for service tracks and allowing an operator to select a route for a particular rail vehicle, the control center preferably being interfaced with the server via a communication network of the IP network type;
• the management software executed by the server is suitable for opening a route corresponding to the route selected for a particular rail vehicle by depending on the roads already open for other rail vehicles traveling at the same time on the service tracks;
• the rail vehicle is a train;
• the system comprises an interface with a real interlock equipping the service tracks or an interlocking equipping the main tracks of the rail network.

The invention and its advantages will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows of a particular embodiment, given solely by way of illustrative and non-limiting example. This description is made with reference to the single appended drawing in which is shown, schematically, a system for managing the circulation of railway vehicles according to the invention equipping a set of service tracks.

[ Fig 1 ] The attached figure shows, schematically, service tracks 10, equipped with a system for managing the circulation of railway vehicles 20 according to the invention.

The service tracks 10 constitute a portion of a railway network. They have different track sections, referenced 11 to 19 in the figure.

These different track sections are interconnected by a plurality of switches. Thus, the switch 6 connects section 16 on the one hand to section 11 and on the other hand to section 12; switch 7 connects section 16 on the one hand to section 17 and on the other hand to section 19; switch 8 connects section 17 on the one hand to section 18 and on the other hand to section 15; and the switch 9 connects section 19 on the one hand to section 13 and on the other hand to section 14.

A train 2, as an example of a railway vehicle, runs on the service tracks 10. In the figure, it is shown as running on the track section 11.

The rail vehicle traffic management system 20 is based on the implementation of a radiocommunication network respecting the LoRaWAN protocol (or more simply LoRa in what follows).

The LoRa protocol is a long-range, low-consumption radio transmission technology, more generally falling under LPWAN (“Low-Power Wide-Area Network”) communication technologies. The LoRa protocol implements a modulation method making it possible to improve the range of communications compared to other radiocommunication protocols, for example the Wi-Fi protocol. Thus, the LoRa technology enables communication over a range of over 2 km and up to 45 km in rural areas.

According to the LoRa protocol, the topology of the radio communication network is star. There is a direct exchange of messages between a central node and peripheral nodes. Such a topology reduces the complexity of the operation of the radio communication network and the energy consumption.

The system 20 thus comprises a gateway 40 playing the role of central node of the radiocommunication network and a plurality of connected objects placed in the environment and respectively playing the role of peripheral nodes of the radiocommunication network.

Among the peripheral nodes, the system 20 comprises a plurality of track devices. Each track device is therefore a connected object integrating a LoRa radiocommunication interface.

These track equipment can be different types of signaling equipment. They may be, as in the figure, point motors. However, as a variant, they may also be pedals, for example hydraulic pedals, making it possible to detect the passage of a train, or even traffic lights, making it possible to visually communicate information to the train drivers.

The state of a track device can be modified remotely by means of a control message addressed to it.

The figure thus represents, associated with the switch 6, a switch motor 26; at the switch 7, a switch motor 27; at switch 8, a switch motor 28; and at switch 9, a switch motor 29.

As shown in more detail for the switch motor 29, the latter consists of a housing incorporating a motor 30, the actuation of which allows the change of the engagement state of the associated switch 9. The motor 30 is connected to an electric power supply source. Preferably, the latter consists of a battery 32, which is advantageously rechargeable by a photovoltaic panel 34. The switching motor 29 is then autonomous.

The routing motor 29 comprises a LoRa 39 radio communication interface allowing the exchange of messages with the gateway 40. The LoRa interface 39 is connected to a computer 36 capable of interpreting the messages received via the LoRa interface 39 and of controlling the opening or closing of a switch 38 so as to allow the supply of the motor 30 by the battery 32 and consequently the change of position of the switch 9, that is to say the change of the switch engagement state 9.

A similar description could be made for other track equipment.

The system 20 includes a server 42 associated with the communication gateway 40.

The communication gateway 40 constitutes a LoRa radiocommunication interface for communication with the communicating devices placed in the environment, in particular the track equipment.

In addition, the communication gateway 40 further comprises a WiFi or 3G / 4G mobile radio communication interface for communication with other communicating devices placed in its environment.

The system 20 comprises various devices making it possible to request the modification of the state of one or more pieces of equipment on the track.

A first embodiment of such a request device is given by a tablet 50 supplied to the driver of train 2.

In one embodiment, the tablet 50 is equipped with a LoRa radio communication interface 51 allowing the exchange of messages with the gateway 40. In this case, the tablet 50 constitutes a peripheral node of the LoRa radio communication network.

As a variant, the radio communication interface 51 is a WiFi or 3G / 4G interface.

The tablet 50 displays a representation of the service channels 10.

The driver of train 2 selects a route according to the mission that train 2 has to accomplish. For example, while train 2 is on track section 11, the driver selects a route to take him on track section 13, via track sections 16 and 19.

However, to take the road corresponding to this route, switches 6, 7 and 9 must be placed in a required state. The corresponding switch motors 26, 27 and 29 must therefore be actuated in order to place the switches which they control in the required state.

To do this, once the driver of train 2 has selected a route on the tablet 50, the latter generates a route request message.

This request message is transmitted by radio between the radio communication interface 51 and the gateway 40.

Gateway 40 transmits the request message to server 42.

The server 42 executes software for managing the circulation of trains on the service tracks 10. This software is suitable for identifying all of the equipment to be the route and the states in which they must be respectively placed to respond to a route request message.

For example, for the selected route from section 11 to section 13, the server 42 determines to put turnout 6 in the left tilted state, turnout 7 in the right tilted state. and turnout 9 in the tilted right state.

The server 42 then transmits to each of the identified track devices a control message indicating the state in which it must place the turnout that it controls.

The various control messages are transmitted from the gateway 40 to the LoRa interfaces of each of the tracked equipment items identified.

When receiving a command message addressed to it, the track equipment computer extracts from the command message the required state in which the turnout must be placed. If the turnout is not already in this state, the computer activates the engine so as to place the turnout in the required state.

Following actuation of the engine, the computer checks that the current state in which the switch is located actually corresponds to the required state.

A confirmation message indicating that the turnout is in the required state is produced by each piece of equipment on the track and transmitted to the server 42 via the LoRa radio communication network.

The server 42 collects the various confirmation messages so as to verify that each turnout of the route corresponding to the route is actually placed in the required state.

If so, the server 42 prepares and transmits to the tablet 50, via the radio communication interface 51, a route opening message indicating that the route corresponding to the selected route has been opened.

Noting, for example, that on the screen of the tablet 50, the selected route is displayed as having been assigned to it and that the corresponding route has been opened, The driver of train 2, moves train 2 forward on sight on the section track 11, then on section of track 16, then on section of track 19 and finally on section of track 13.

Advantageously, the tablet 50 comprises a means of geolocation, preferably by satellites, for example of the GPS type. At each instant of the movement of train 2, the tablet 50, loaded by the driver on board the train 2, determines its geographical position and consequently that of the train 2. The tablet 50 periodically transmits a location message via the radio communication interface 51 to the server 42.

When the server 42 determines, from the location messages that it receives from train 2, that a section of track has been crossed by train 2, it considers that this section of track is released and that it can be used. to open a route for the movement of another train.

A second embodiment of such a request device is given by a panel 52, said to be on the job, that is to say located in the immediate vicinity of the service roads 10. The panel 52 incorporates a control interface. LoRa radio communication 53 allowing the exchange of messages with the gateway 40. In this case, the tablet 50 constitutes a peripheral node of the LoRa radio communication network.

As a variant, the radio communication interface 53 is a WiFi or 3G / 4G interface.

Panel 52 is usable by a ground operator, who can select a route for a train, such as train 2.

Panel 52 displays a diagram of service tracks 10.

The state of each section of track is represented, for example, by a suitable color code: gray when the section of track is free; green when the section of track is reserved for the circulation of a train; and red when a train is actually running on that section of track.

The ground operator wishing that train 2 can go from track section 11 to track section 13 via track sections 16 and 19 selects the corresponding route.

The panel 52 is able to develop a route request message and to transmit it to the server 42 by establishing a communication between the interface 53 and the gateway 40.

The server 42 then performs the various steps which have been presented in relation to the first embodiment.

Finally, the server 42, via the gateway 40 and the interface 53, transmits to the panel 52 a route opening message.

Advantageously, the route corresponding to this open road is displayed on the panel 52.

The operator on the ground noting that the selected route is now reserved for train 2, can indicate to the driver of train 2 to advance his train along the reserved route.

A third embodiment of such a request device is given by a control center 54.

This control center is remote from the service channels 10. It is connected to the server 42 via a network 60 of the IP network type.

When the driver of a train, for example train 2, wants to travel on the service tracks 10, he informs an operator of the control center 54 (for example by telephone) of the mission he wishes to carry out.

The operator of the control center 54 then selects a route and transmits it to the server 42 to open the corresponding route.

The previously described steps to open a route are performed.

Finally, when the route is open, the server 42 sends back a route opening message to the control center 54.

The operator of the control center, seeing on the screen of his workstation that the required route is open for train 2, informs the driver of train 2 (for example by telephone) that he can proceed on the selected route to join the section to see 13.

Advantageously, the system 20 according to the invention can be interfaced with a real interlocking system 70. This is particularly advantageous when some of the track sections of the service tracks are equipped with track circuits or axle counters making it possible to detect the free or occupied state of the section of track thus equipped. This occupation information is in fact managed by the interlocking 70. The communication between the server 42 and the interlocking 70 makes it possible to deploy the system 20 on service tracks partially equipped with an interlocking.

Advantageously, the system 20 is also interfaced with an interlocking system 80 managing the main tracks of the rail network. Indeed, when a train coming from the main tracks enters the service tracks or vice versa when a train leaves the service tracks to enter the main tracks of the rail network, it is necessary that the interlocking system 80 which manages the traffic on the main tracks can receive or give information to the system 20 managing the traffic on the sidings.

Thus, the system 20 according to the invention makes it possible to remotely control the equipment on the track (switches, traffic lights, etc.) to open a route corresponding to a route selected for the circulation of a train on service tracks. .

It makes it possible to carry out automatically, remotely and with low consumption, the maneuvers of the switches and more generally the change of state of any equipment on the track connected to the gateway of the LoRa radiocommunication network.

The implementation of the LoRa protocol makes it possible to cover a large area, well suited to that of the service tracks of a railway network.

The invention makes it possible to simplify the means for managing the movement of trains with respect to the signaling systems equipping the main tracks of a rail network. This easily deployable system allows more automated traffic management at a lower cost. It makes it possible to optimize the traffic on the service tracks while increasing safety.

Claims (10)

System (20) for managing the movement of railway vehicles on service tracks (10) of a railway network, characterized in that the system (20) comprises: a radiocommunication network respecting the LoRaWAN protocol, the radiocommunication network adopting a star topology between a central node and a plurality of peripheral nodes; - a communication gateway (40) constituting the central node of the radiocommunication network; - a plurality of track devices (26, 27, 28, 29), each track device being a connected object integrating a radiocommunication interface constituting a peripheral node of the radiocommunication network, each track device being characterized by a current state that can be remotely controlled; - at least one request device (50, 52, 54) suitable for transmitting a route request message to a server (42), a route request message indicating a route selected for the movement of a rail vehicle particular (2) on service roads (10); and, - the server (42), connected to the gateway (40) and running management software suitable for analyzing a received route request message and for controlling, via the radio communication network, the current state of the equipment on the track to open a road on the service roads (10) corresponding to the selected route. A system (20) according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of track devices is a switch motor (26, 27, 28, 29), a hydraulic pedal, or a traffic light. . A system (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which a track device (26, 27, 28, 29) of the plurality of track devices is self-contained, preferably including a powered battery (32). by a photovoltaic panel (34). System (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the requesting device is a mobile terminal (50) on board a railway vehicle (2) by a driver of said railway vehicle, the mobile terminal allowing the driver to select a route for the rail vehicle that it conduit, the mobile terminal preferably being a connected object integrating a radiocommunication interface (51) constituting a peripheral node of the radiocommunication network. System (20) according to claim 4, in which the mobile terminal (50) comprises a means of geolocation by satellites and regularly transmits to the server (42) a message locating the railway vehicle on board which said mobile terminal (50) is on board. , the server (42) releasing, for the circulation of another vehicle, a section of track of the road open for said railway vehicle when the location message indicates that said section of track has been crossed by said railway vehicle. A system (20) according to any preceding claim, wherein the requesting device is a panel (52) located along the service tracks (10) and allowing an operator to select a route for a particular rail vehicle, the panel (52) preferably being a connected object integrating a radio communication interface (53) constituting a peripheral node of the radio communication network. A system (20) according to any preceding claim, wherein the requesting device is a control center (54) remote from the service tracks (10) and allowing an operator to select a route for a particular rail vehicle. , the control center (54) preferably being interfaced with the server (42) via a communication network (60) of the IP network type. System (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the management software executed by the server (42) is adapted to open a route corresponding to the route selected for a particular railway vehicle according to the routes already open for other railway vehicles circulating at the same time on the service tracks (10). System (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a communication interface with an interlocking (70) equipping the service tracks (10) or an interlocking (80) equipping the main tracks of the rail network. Set of sidings of a railway network, characterized in that the set of sidings is equipped with a system (20) for managing the circulation of railway vehicles according to any one of the preceding claims.

Images