Driving a train is a task that can sometimes feel repetitive but always demands a high level of focus.
If a driver is not paying attention at the right time, they could miss a signal or limit board along the line, which could have serious consequences.
“Some rail routes, particularly in rural areas, have few landmarks that remind the driver where they are,” said Mark Wood, Chief Technology Officer at transport technology solutions providers 4Tel and 4AI Systems. “So, if the driver gets distracted and looks away, they might not know their location on the track, or what the previous signal was that they’ve just missed.
“This is really important for their decision-making, because it can take up to two kilometres to stop a train.”
Wood explained that operators and passengers place a lot of trust in the driver’s observation, but 4AI Systems has created a product that provides an extra level of protection.
The team is currently trialing its Advanced Driver Advisory System, EN4CER, on select Pacific National locomotives.
EN4CER is designed to ensure that a train does not exceed the permitted speed, any known limit of authority or other operational restrictions.
Using real-time information, with its Safety Computer confirming the train braking curve multiple times per second, the system ensures the train is always travelling at a safe speed to meet current and future track conditions.
The information it uses includes:
- Train consist data entered into EN4CER prior to the journey commencing.
- Sensors that monitor train position, speed, direction of travel, and distance to the approaching speed target.
- Locomotive control lines providing current loco state.
- Signal information received from the local signal interlocking via UHF radio.
- EN4CER train braking and distance calculations.
If the Safety Computer determines that the train is overspeed or above the braking curve, a warning is delivered to the driver.
Brake activation can also be applied, as determined by the business rules of the customer – for example, the service brake can be utilised in cases of overspeed detection, while an emergency brake may be applied to reduce the risk of Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD).
Wood said EN4CER is different from other advisory systems that have gone before it.
“A lot of advisory system were more focused on what speed you need to be doing at what time to save fuel, whereas our advisory system is about the operational safety of the train,” he said.
“It’s about ensuring that the train doesn’t go beyond the limits of authority, so you’re not approaching where another train might be and creating an unsafe situation.”
EN4CER not only improves safety for the train driver, passengers and others in the surrounding area, but it can also boost operational efficiency.
“If you improve safety, more often than not you’ll improve efficiency,” Wood said. “If we can give advice to the driver so the system doesn’t need to intervene and brake, we can avoid an unexpected stop, or the braking can be done under control. If an emergency brake needs to be applied, a
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