GB1401803A - Transportation systems - Google Patents

Abstract

1401803 Vehicle control system DEFENCE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR 8 Feb 1973 [10 Feb 1972] 6382/72 Heading B7H In a transportation system for vehicles movable at synchronous speeds over a plurality of first and second main tracks which cross over at different levels and in which the progress of the vehicles on the tracks, e.g. first main track T1 and second main track T2 is controlled by signalling arrangements including transmitters TX1, TX2, respectively, and signalling loops S1 S2, respectively; each track intersection or cross over includes a pair of junction tracks between the main tracks on each of which, e.g. the only one shown T12, progress is controlled by a separate signalling arrangement including transmitter TX12 and signalling loop S12 and a computer C12 is provided for controlling of queueing of vehicles on the junction track and the exit of vehicles from the junction track to main track T2. The transmitters TX1, TX2 and TX12 and detector units D1-D5 are connected to the computer C12, the latter units being used for detecting vehicle presence, identification and address and also for transmitting signals to the vehicle. The progress of the vehicles is controlled by apparatus as described in Specification 1,335,985 by comparing slot increment command pulses from the loop with pulses generated on the vehicle as it passed slot markers or cross overs in the loop. The compression is used to derive a position lag signal which is used to define a slot moving in advance of the vehicle in which the vehicle can be brought to a halt. When the computer receives an indication from detector D1 of the presence and destination of a vehicle at position P1 it consults a priority table for that destination and if the priority number is greater than q, the number of vehicles queueing on the junction track and if q is less than Q - the number of vehicle queueing positions or slots then either via the detector D1 or the transmitter TX1 the vehicle, which is of the type described in Specification 1,352,246 receives a turning signal and engages its left guide wheel with a guide on the left of the track to route the vehicle into the junction track. If the priority number is less than q then the vehicle is not diverted and carries on on the first main track to the next intersection where it may be diverted. In the junction track the vehicle is controlled by signals in loop S12 from transmitter TX12, the computer causing the necessary signals to be sent to stop the vehicle at the end of the queue. The vehicle at the head of the queue PS receives its leave signal when the computer determines in response to signal received from detector D5 on the second main track that a slot is available to receive the vehicle. By the time the vehicle reaches position P6 its speed has been increased to the synchronous speed of the vehicles travelling on the second main track. In a similar manner under the control of computer CP vehicles are directed from a main track T1 to a station track TP and vehicles leaving the station are advanced into empty slots in the main track traffic.