[BoneCollector]

Yesterday, the railway minister of India took a ride in a locomotive fitted with an anti collision device called the Kavach (Armour). The device when fitted to a loco keeps it in communication with other locos/trains as well as the signals and the railway crossings. So much so that the train will stop without driver input if another train is there on the same track moving towards or away from it, or if the train crosses a red signal. The loco will even blow horn when crossing through a railway crossing. There has been a lot of promotion of this feat across the social media and other channels. But this is not something new. A similar device was invented by the Konkan Railway and used on its network. It was even patented in 3 different countries by 2008! The current one is further improvement on Indian Railway's own Train Collision Avoidance system developed in 2012. When implemented across the tracks, it's going to be a great safety feature.

Simply put, it is a set of electronic devices and Radio Frequency Identification devices installed in locomotives, in the signalling system as well the tracks, that talk to each other using ultra high radio frequencies to control the brakes of trains and also alert drivers, all based on the logic programmed into them. One of its features is that by continuously refreshing the movement information of a train, it is able to send out triggers when a loco pilot jumps signal, called Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD), a grave offence in railway operations with respect to safety, and the key to accidents like collision. The devices also continuously relay the signals ahead to the locomotive, making it useful for loco pilots in low visibility, especially during dense fog.

Link

https://youtu.be/6Ue3UOdvqD8

https://youtu.be/MUQUm9uArKc

https://youtu.be/CeZsK5FF_Ik

Attaching a PDF by Konkan Railway.

Mods: Please move to an appropriate thread if required.

[AltoLXI]

Originally Posted by BoneCollector

The device when fitted to a loco keeps it in communication with other locos/trains as well as the signals and the railway crossings. So much so that the train will stop without driver input if another train is there on the same track moving towards or away from it, or if the train crosses a red signal. The loco will even blow horn when crossing through a railway crossing. There has been a lot of promotion of this feat across the social media and other channels. But this is not something new.

It was amusing to watch the video where the person was explaining the rest of the people how the collision would be prevented. Reason being - the technology used is as old as hills, in fact since 19th century. There are much better signalling systems available worldwide.

Originally Posted by BoneCollector

A similar device was invented by the Konkan Railway and used on its network. It was even in 3 different countries by 2008! The current one is further improvement on Indian Railway's own Train Collision Avoidance system developed in 2012. When implemented across the tracks, it's going to be a great safety feature.

Collision avoidance system is not a new technology. Track circuit based technologies are prevalent in many of the western countries since ages. There are even technologies to maintain the speed of the train across different sections, signal free movement, overriding driver decision and what not.

Track circuit working

[Storm2.0]

In my view it's not the technology but the implementation of technology in trains at large scale, which is worth being noted and appreciated. I dont think these systems were installed/in working condition on all trains, even if it was developed last decade and received patents. Its the execution that matters. And the fact that a technically sound minister from a proper corporate and engineering background (very rarely seen in India) involved in experiencing and demonstrating this technology is commendable. When useless tiktok trends can be heavily promoted online, I see no harm in promoting the improvements Indian Railway is going through, through social media.

[vharihar]

Originally Posted by Storm2.0

In my view it's not the technology but the implementation of technology in trains at large scale, which is worth being noted and appreciated. I dont think these systems were installed/in working condition on all trains, even if it was developed last decade and received patents. Its the execution that matters

True. Furthermore, it is indeed a first time for India. None of the trains and trackside equipment in India had this feature till now. It is being introduced in India for the first time (and at a much lesser price than if imported). So it is indeed good news. Slowly it will be rolled out to all tracks and locomotives nationwide. Will take time though because ours is a very huge railway network, one of the largest in the world. But am glad it's starting.

Another thing being worked on and needs to be introduced more, is trackside hotwheel and hot axle detection systems (for coaches). This is rolled out in a very limited way, but needs quick testing/qualification and wider and speedier rollout.

Technologies and automation is key.

[SILVER-ARROW]

Excellent explanation via pictures of Kavach ( The Anti-Collision system of Indian Railways)



















Source of the pictures :- https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca_SGVYt...dium=copy_link

Thank you