Decentralized system for monitoring and control of rail traffic in emergencies: A new distributed support tool for Rail Traffic Management

Abstract

Traditionally Rail Traffic Management is performed automatically using centralized systems based on wired sensors and electronic elements fixed on the tracks. These systems, called Centralized Traffic Control systems (CTC) are robust and high availability, but when these systems fail, traffic management must be done manually. This paper is the result of 4 years of work with railway companies in the development of a distributed support tool for rail traffic control and management. The new system developed combines train-side systems and terrestrial applications that exchange information via a hybrid mobile and radio wireless communications architecture.