FR3049556B1 - METHOD FOR MANAGING THE CIRCULATION OF A RAILWAY VEHICLE WITH LATERAL ANTICOLLISION PROTECTION - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for managing the movement of a first vehicle (60) on a railway track (12) comprising an intersection (13) of at least three track sections (16, 17, 18). The railway comprises a control zone (34) and a buffer zone (46) including said intersection, the control zone being delimited by a terminal (30) on a first (17) section of track equipped with a visual signal (38) to authorize or prohibit traffic. The method comprises the following steps: - the visual signal (38) being in a mode of prohibition, detection (24) of an input of a second vehicle (64) in the control zone; then - when the first vehicle (60) is in the buffer zone, a stop of said first vehicle is controlled to an output of the second vehicle of the control zone.

Description

Method for managing the circulation of a railway vehicle with lateral collision avoidance protection

The present invention relates to a method for managing the movement of a vehicle on a railway track, said railway comprising an intersection of at least three sections of track, said track also comprising a control zone including said intersection, said zone control being delimited by at least one terminal disposed on at least a first of said at least three track sections, said or each of said terminal (s) being equipped with input or output detectors of a vehicle, in or of said control zone, the at least one terminal being furthermore equipped with a first visual signal capable of being configured in a first and in a second mode respectively corresponding to an authorization and a prohibition of entry of a vehicle into a the control zone, said railway further comprising a buffer zone including said intersection, said buffer zone comprising at least one beacon disposed of r at least one second of said at least three track sections, said at least one beacon being able to transmit and / or receive information to or from the first vehicle. The invention applies to the field of railway safety, in particular to automatic control systems for rail traffic. Such systems are, for example, so-called "train-based communication management systems", or CBTC (Communication Based Train Control).

It is known to equip CBTC systems with collision avoidance methods, particularly when CBTC vehicles are traveling on the same tracks as non-CBTC vehicles. Such methods are described in particular in WO2008 / 096048.

In the present description, the terms "CBTC vehicle" and "non-CBTC vehicle" respectively mean a vehicle controlled and uncontrolled by a CBTC system. A CBTC vehicle can be driven by a driver or autopilot.

The anticollision control methods of the prior art have certain drawbacks. Indeed, said methods generally assume that non-CBTC vehicles respect the signaling to the track. In particular, such methods do not protect CBTC vehicles from lateral collision risks near an intersection, in case of non-compliance with a traffic restriction by a non-CBTC vehicle upstream of said intersection.

The present invention provides a solution to this problem. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of the aforementioned type, comprising the following steps: the first visual signal being configured in the second mode, a first step of detecting an input of a second vehicle in the control zone at the terminal of the first section of track; then a second step of securing the control zone, in which, when a presence of the first vehicle in the buffer zone is detected by means of the beacon of the second section of track, a stop of said first vehicle is controlled as long as an output of the second vehicle is not detected at or at one of the terminals of the control area.

According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the method comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in any technically possible combination: the at least one beacon of the second section of track is arranged close to a second visual signal capable of being configured in a first and a second mode, respectively corresponding to an authorization and a prohibition of entry of a vehicle into the control zone; and the securing step comprises a step of configuring said second visual signal in the second mode, so as to prohibit an entry of the first vehicle into the buffer zone; the control zone is delimited by a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal respectively disposed on the first, second and third sections of the said at least three track sections, each of the said terminals being equipped with input detectors; or output of a vehicle, in or from said control zone, each terminal being respectively equipped with the first, second and third visual signals, each of said visual signals being able to be configured in a first and in a a second mode, respectively corresponding to an authorization and a prohibition of entry of a vehicle into the control zone; and the securing step comprising a step of configuring each of said visual signals in the second mode, as long as an output of the second vehicle is not detected at one of the terminals of the control area. The invention furthermore relates to an installation for the management of the circulation of a vehicle on a railway track, said railway comprising an intersection of at least three sections of track, the installation comprising: a computer on the ground; an on-board computer on board the first vehicle, comprising means of communication with said computer on the ground; and sensors to the track, able to communicate to the computer on the ground and / or the on-board computer a position of the first vehicle on the railway. The installation further comprises, on at least a first of said at least three track sections, means for detecting entry or exit of a vehicle, in or of a control zone including the intersection; it further comprises a visual signal equipping at least a first terminal of said control zone on the first channel section, said visual signal being able to be configured in a first and a second modes, respectively corresponding to an authorization and a prohibition of entry of a vehicle into the control zone, said detection means and said visual signal being connected to the computer on the ground; the sensors at the track comprise at least one beacon disposed on at least one second of said at least three track sections, the installation being able to detect, by means of said beacon, a presence of the first vehicle in a buffer zone including the intersection; in addition, the installation comprises means for implementing a method as described above.

According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the installation comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in any technically possible combination: the installation comprises a visual signal arranged close to the at least one beacon, said visual signal being adapted to be configured in a first and a second modes respectively corresponding to an authorization and a prohibition of entry of a vehicle into the control zone; the control zone is delimited by a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal respectively arranged on the first, second and third sections of the said at least three track sections, each of the said terminals being equipped with input detectors or exit of a vehicle, in or from said control zone; at least one beacon of the second section of track is located near the second terminal of the control zone; the installation comprises visual signals fitted to all the terminals of the control zone, each of said visual signals being able to be configured in a first and in a second mode, respectively corresponding to an authorization and an entry prohibition of a vehicle in the control zone; - several or all at least three sections of track are equipped with tags defining the buffer zone; and - the control zone and the buffer zone are substantially merged. The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a partial schematic view of an installation according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a partial schematic view of the installation of FIG. 1; and FIG. 3 is a partial schematic view of an installation according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figures 1 and 2 schematically show a vehicle traffic management system 10 on a railway line 12.

The railway line 12 comprises at least one intersection 13, corresponding to a crossing 14 of a first 16, a second 17 and a third 18 sections of track. The installation 10 is of the CBTC type. It comprises on the one hand a plurality of equipment at the track 19, installed along the railway line 12 and shown in Figure 1; it further comprises a plurality of electronic devices 20, shown diagrammatically in FIG.

The equipment at track 19 is installed in particular at the track sections 16, 17, 18. Said equipment includes, for example, detectors 22, 24, 26 for the presence of a vehicle. In particular, each section of track 16, 17 and 18 is equipped with at least one presence detector, respectively 22, 24 and 26. Each of said presence detectors materializes a terminal, respectively 28, 30 and 32, said terminals delimiting a control zone 34 around the intersection 13.

Presence detectors are, for example, axle counters or optical barriers.

The equipment at track 19 also comprises light signals 36, 38, 40. In particular, each track section 16, 17 and 18 is equipped with at least one light signal, respectively 36, 38 and 40. Each light signal 36, 38, 40 is preferably disposed near the terminal 28, 30, 32 of the corresponding track section. Preferably, each light signal is disposed slightly upstream of the corresponding terminal, that is to say further from the intersection 13 than said terminal. The light signals are directed upstream, that is to say in the opposite direction to the intersection 13.

Each light signal 36, 38, 40 is capable of being configured in a first and in a second mode, respectively corresponding to an authorization and a prohibition of entry of a vehicle into the control zone 34. In a known manner, each light signal comprises for example colored lights, a lit green light corresponding to the first mode and a red light lit corresponding to the second mode.

The equipment at track 19 further comprises a switch 42 equipping the crossing lane 14 of the intersection 13.

The equipment at the track 19 further comprises position markers 43, 44, 45 distributed along the track sections 16, 17, 18. Each position marker 43, 44, 45 is associated with a respective identifier and able to generate a signal representative of said identifier. The position beacons 43, 44, 45 are, for example, RFID devices, of the English "radio frequency identification", able to emit an electromagnetic field under the effect of an induced current.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each track segment 16, 17, 18 comprises: one or more first beacons 43; a second beacon 44; and one or more third beacons 45. The first, second and third beacons 43, 44, 45 are adjacent and closer and closer to the intersection 13. Only the beacons 43, 44, 45 of the first track portion 16 are shown .

The second beacons 44 of the track sections 16, 17, 18 delimit a buffer zone 46 encompassing the intersection 13. The first beacons 43 and the third beacons 45 are respectively located outside and in said buffer zone 46.

Preferably, the buffer zone 46 is substantially merged with the control zone 34. The second beacon 44 of each channel section is therefore located close to a terminal 28, 30, 32 of said control zone. The first beacons 43 and the third beacons 45 are thus located respectively outside and in said control zone 34. In a variant, the detection functions of a vehicle of each second beacon 44 and of the corresponding terminal 28, 30, 32 of said control area are for example confused.

FIG. 3 partially represents an alternative embodiment 110 of the installation 10, compared with FIG. 1. Only the differences between the installations 110 and 10 are described below. The common elements between the installations 110 and 10 are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the case of the installation 110, the intersection 13 of the railway line 12 is associated with four sections of track, including a fourth section 47. The intersection 13 is represented by two lane crossings 14, 15, separated by a fifth section 48. A first crossing of tracks 14 connects the first 16, fourth 47 and fifth 48 sections. A second crossing of tracks 15 connects the second 17, third 18 and fifth 48 sections. Each of the crossing lanes 14, 15 is equipped with a switch.

The fourth section 47 comprises a fourth terminal 49 delimiting the control zone 34 with the first, second and third terminals 28, 30, 32 previously described. Like said terminals, the fourth terminal 49 is equipped with a presence detector of a vehicle, a light signal and a position marker.

The electronic devices 20 of the installation 10 are described below. The installation 110 of FIG. 3 comprises similar electronic devices.

The electronic devices 20 of the installation 10 comprise an interlocking device 50, in particular of the CBI type (Computer Based Interlocking). The engagement device 50 is electronically connected to the light signals 36, 38, 40 and the switch 42 and adapted to control said signals and said switch.

Optionally, the interlocking device 50 is connected directly to the presence detectors 22, 24, 26.

In the case of a railway line 12 comprising several intersections 13, each being equipped with the equipment to the track 19 described above, an engagement device 50 is associated with a single intersection 13 as described above; alternatively, the same interlocking device 50 is associated with several intersections 13.

The electronic devices 20 of the installation 10 furthermore comprise an operational central unit 51 comprising man / machine interfaces 52. The operational central unit 51 is connected to the position markers 43, 44, 45, to the engagement device 50 and to the presence 22, 24, 26.

In the case of a railway line 12 comprising several intersections 13, each being equipped with the equipment at the track 19 and the interlocking device 50 described above, the operational central unit 51 is connected to each of said interlocking devices 50, as well as presence detectors 22, 24, 26 corresponding to each of said intersections 13.

The electronic devices 20 of the installation 10 furthermore comprise at least one on-board device 56 fitted to a first vehicle 60 traveling on the track 12.

The onboard device 56 comprises in particular an antenna 62, a memory and computers. The on-board device 56 is able to exchange radiocommunication messages, in particular with the position beacons 43, 44, 45 and / or with the operational central unit 51. The installation 10 as described above notably implements an ATS system. , for "Automatic Train Supervision", and / or an ATC system, for "Automatic Train Control", for managing the running of trains equipped with an onboard device 56, such as the first vehicle 60. The embedded device 56 associated with the system ATC determines, at each moment, the operating parameters of the vehicle and communicates with the operational central 51 (ground ATC system) in order to allow the vehicle to carry out, in safety, the mission that has been assigned to it.

The ATC system thus ensures, on the one hand, the coverage of the functional requirements of the first vehicle 60, that is to say for example the stations to be served, and, on the other hand, the control of said vehicle at points of service. The first vehicle 60 is therefore defined as a "CBTC vehicle". The installation 10 is able to prevent the first vehicle 60 from circulating in the control zone 34, as described below. In particular, the installation 10 is able to control a power supply on which depends the circulation of the first vehicle 60.

The first vehicle 60 is for example a train controlled by a driver, or an autopilot train. In particular, in the case of an autopilot, the circulation of the first vehicle 60 is entirely managed by the installation 10.

A method of managing the circulation of the first vehicle 60 on the railway line 12, according to one embodiment of the invention, is executed by a program 63 stored in the central office 51.

An exemplary implementation of said traffic management method is described below, with reference to FIG.

Consider the case where the first vehicle 60 is traveling on the first section of track 16 towards the intersection 13. The position of said first vehicle 60 on said first section is known to the central operating unit 51 by means of the position markers 43, 44 , 45. The installation 10 is configured to allow the passage of said first vehicle 60 through the intersection 13. In particular, the first light signal 36, corresponding to the first channel section 16, is green; the second 38 and third 40 light signals, corresponding to the second 17 and third 18 track sections, are red.

Similarly, in the case of the installation 110 of FIG. 3, the light signal of the fourth terminal 49 is also red.

Furthermore, a second vehicle 64 circulates on the second section of track 17, in the direction of the intersection 13. It is considered that the second vehicle 64 is "non-CBTC". For example, the second vehicle 64 has no onboard device belonging to the installation 10, such as the onboard device 56. Alternatively, the second vehicle 64 comprises an onboard device in a deactivated state.

It is considered that the second vehicle 64 does not respect the second light signal 38 and crosses the second terminal 30, towards the intersection 13. If the first vehicle 60 continues its course, there would be a risk of lateral collision with said second vehicle vehicle 64 near said intersection. The entry of the second vehicle 64 into the control zone 34 is detected by the second presence detector 24, located at the second terminal 30. The program 63 then configures the control zone 34 as a forbidden zone to the traffic of the first vehicle 60.

In particular, the first light signal 36 turns red.

It is first considered that the second vehicle 64 arrives at the second terminal 30 while the first vehicle 60 is located upstream of the first terminal 28. If the first vehicle 60 is driven by a driver, the latter can then engage a braking of said first vehicle 60 at the sight of the first light signal 36 red.

If the first vehicle 60 is equipped with an autopilot, or if the driver does not respect the red light signal 36, said first vehicle 60 reaches the buffer zone 46. In other words, the first vehicle 60 arrives at the level of the second position marker 45, close to the first terminal 28.

The program 63 then controls a stop of the circulation of the first vehicle 60. For example, a restrictive CBTC radio message is sent to the possible driver of said first vehicle 60. Alternatively or additionally, the power supply of said first vehicle 60 is interrupted .

It is now considered that the second vehicle 64 arrives at the second terminal 30 while the first vehicle 60 has already entered the buffer zone 46. A driver of said first vehicle 60 is unable to account for the changeover to the second vehicle. red of the first light signal 36.

In this case, upon detecting the entry of the second vehicle 64 in the control zone 34, the program 63 commands a stop of the circulation of the first vehicle 60. Said first vehicle 60 will thus be stopped in the event of a collision lateral with the second vehicle 64, which facilitates an emergency braking possibly performed by a driver of said second vehicle 64, and which reduces the danger of a possible impact.

It is considered that an output of the second vehicle 64 of the control zone 34, by the second terminal 30 or the third terminal 32, is managed manually by operators. When said output is detected by the second 24 or the third 26 presence detector, the program 63 again authorizes the circulation of the first vehicle 60 in the control zone 34 and in the buffer zone 46. In particular, the first light signal 36 returns to green and / or the power supply of said first vehicle 60 is restored.

Thus, a CBTC vehicle 60 can travel on the same railway track 12 as non-CBTC vehicles 64, with limited risks of lateral collision in the event of non-compliance with signals by non-CBTC vehicles.

Claims (10)

1A traffic management method for a first vehicle (60) on a railway track (12), said railway comprising an intersection (13) of at least three track sections (16, 17, 18, 47), said railroad track further comprising a control zone (34) including said intersection, said control zone being delimited by at least one terminal (30) disposed on at least one first (17) of said at least three track sections, said one or each said terminal (s) being equipped with sensors (22, 24, 26, 45) for input or output of a vehicle, in or of said control zone, the at least one terminal (30) being furthermore equipped a first visual signal (38) adapted to be configured in a first and a second mode, respectively corresponding to an authorization and a prohibition of entry of a vehicle into the control zone, said railway comprising also a buffer zone (46) including said intersectio n, said buffer zone comprising at least one beacon (44, 45) disposed on at least one second (16) of said at least three track sections, said at least one beacon being able to transmit and / or receive information towards the or from the first vehicle (60), the method comprising the following steps: - the first visual signal (38) being configured in the second mode, a first detection step (24) of an input of a second vehicle (64) in the control area, at the terminal (30) of the first track section (17); then - a second step of securing the control zone, in which, when a presence of the first vehicle (60) in the buffer zone is detected by means of the beacon (44, 45) of the second section of track ( 16), a stop of said first vehicle is controlled as long as an output of the second vehicle is not detected at or at one or more of the terminals (28, 30, 32, 48) of the control area. 2. A traffic management method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one beacon (44) of the second channel section (16) is disposed close to a second visual signal (36) adapted to be configured in a first and in a second mode, respectively corresponding to an authorization and a prohibition of entry of a vehicle into the control zone, in which the safety step comprises a step of configuring said second visual signal in the second mode, so as to prohibit an entry of the first vehicle (60) in the buffer zone. 3, - A circulation management method according to claim 1 or claim 2, the control zone being delimited by a first terminal (30), a second terminal (28) and a third terminal (32) respectively arranged on the first (30) 17), the second (16) and a third (18) section of said at least three track sections, each of said terminals being equipped with detectors (22, 24, 26, 45) input or output of a vehicle, in or of said control zone, each terminal (30, 28, 32) being equipped respectively with the first (38), a second (36) and a third (40) visual signal, each of said visual signals being suitable to be configured in a first and a second modes respectively corresponding to an authorization and a prohibition of entry of a vehicle into the control zone, the security step comprising a step of configuring each of said signals visuals in the second mo of, as long as an output of the second vehicle is not detected at one of the terminals (28, 30, 32, 48) of the control zone. 4. - Installation (10, 110) for the traffic management of a first vehicle (60) on a railway (12), said railway comprising an intersection (13) of at least three track sections (16, 17, 18, 47), the installation comprising: - a computer on the ground (50, 51), - an on-board computer (56) on board the first vehicle, comprising means (62) of communication with said computer on the ground, sensors (43, 44, 45) for the track, able to communicate to the ground computer and / or to the on-board computer a position of the first vehicle on the track, the installation being characterized in that it comprises in addition, on at least a first (17) of said at least three track sections, means (22, 24, 26, 45) for detecting entry or exit of a vehicle (60, 64), in or a control zone (34) including the intersection (13), in that it further comprises a visual signal (38) equipping at least a first terminal ( 30) of said control zone on the first (17) track section, said visual signal being able to be configured in a first and a second modes, respectively corresponding to an authorization and a vehicle entry prohibition in the control zone, said detection means (22, 24, 26, 45) and said visual signal (38) being connected to the computer on the ground, in that the track sensors comprise at least one beacon (44). , 45) disposed on at least one second (16) of said at least three track sections, the facility being adapted to detect, by means of said beacon, a presence of the first vehicle in a buffer zone (46) including the intersection (13), and in that said installation comprises means (63) for implementing a method according to claim 1. 5, - Installation according to claim 4, comprising a visual signal (36) disposed close to the at least one beacon (44), said visual signal (36) being adapted to be configured in a first and a second modes, corresponding respectively to an authorization and a prohibition of entry of a vehicle into the control zone, the installation comprising means (63) for implementing a method according to claim 2. 6, - Installation according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the control zone (34) is delimited by a first terminal (30), a second terminal (28) and a third terminal (32) respectively arranged on the first (17), the second (16) and a third (18) sections of said at least three track sections, each of said terminals being equipped with detectors (22, 24, 26, 45) input or output of a vehicle , in or of said control zone. 7, - Installation according to claim 6, wherein at least one beacon (44) of the second track section (16) is located near the second terminal (28) of the control zone. 8, - Installation according to claim 6 or claim 7, comprising visual signals (36, 38, 40) equipping all the terminals (28, 30, 32, 49) of the control zone, each of said visual signals being adapted to be configured in a first and a second modes respectively corresponding to an authorization and a prohibition of entry of a vehicle in the control zone. 9, - Installation according to one of claims 4 to 8, wherein at least several or at least three track sections (16, 17, 18, 47) are equipped with tags (44, 45) defining the buffer zone (46). ). 10.- Installation according to one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the control zone (34) and the buffer zone (46) are substantially merged.