kevin_roche
Member
- Joined
- 26 Feb 2019
- Messages
- 930
This recent article about ATO on the Rail Engineer website has some interesting points and is well worth reading.
It highlights the capacity issue of the current GSM-R system with regards to running 24tph on Thameslink with short fixed blocks. Thameslink does not have moving blocks.
It highlights the capacity issue of the current GSM-R system with regards to running 24tph on Thameslink with short fixed blocks. Thameslink does not have moving blocks.
To achieve an optimum journey experience with timetable adherence, optimum performance, maximum capacity and good safety will require other technical systems to be added in. Traffic Management is vital since accurate train regulation is required, particularly if an ATO railway has multiple junctions and routes. On Thameslink, where the TMS has yet to be completed, a 30-second update of timetable to each train is proving insufficient and real time updating is now regarded as necessary. This, in turn, demands a very high data exchange rate to every train, something that is beyond the capacity of the present GSM-R system. Thus, a replacement 4G or 5G radio link may take on more urgency with Wi-Fi enhancements likely to be included as well.