Automatic Restart for Communication Based Train Control Systems

Existing, fully automated, Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) system designs are facing a significant issue relative to system recovery due to a complete wayside Automatic Train Protection (ATP) computer outage, (i.e. both primary and backup). This paper describes the problems related to CBTC automatic recovery and presents how the problem is handled with the Bombardier CITYFLO* 450 and 650 automatic train control systems. CITYFLO 450 and 650 designs use additional automatic recovery system called Train Registry System (TRS). This is an independent vital subsystem that tracks trains and noninitialized vehicles throughout the revenue service area, maintenance area and outside automatically controlled areas. This paper describes TRS basic operation and train detection mechanism.