Transmission-based train control (TBTC) is a communication technology protocol used in railway signaling. It encapsulates all railway signaling methodologies or frameworks that rely on the communication between the control room, trackside systems and onboard systems to ensure safe train movements.

Background

Transmission-based train control (TBTC) uses

induction loop An induction or inductive loop is an electromagnetic communication or detection system which uses a moving magnet or an alternating current to induce an electric current in a nearby wire. Induction loops are used for transmission and reception of ...

technology to facilitate communication between onboard systems and trackside systems.

Types of transmission-based train control

Positive train control

Positive Train control Positive train control (PTC) is a family of automatic train protection systems deployed in the United States. Most of the United States' national rail network mileage has a form of PTC. These systems are generally designed to check that trains a ...

is a type of automatic train protection system that prevents train-to-train collision, over speeding and unauthorized train movements. It used GPS technology and wireless radio to calculate safe distances between trains to transmit movement authority from the onboard controllers on the following train, to the wayside controllers to prevent collision with the leading train.

Positive Train Control Positive train control (PTC) is a family of automatic train protection systems deployed in the United States. Most of the United States' national rail network mileage has a form of PTC. These systems are generally designed to check that trains a ...

calculates train stopping distances and prompts

locomotive A locomotive is a rail transport, rail vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. Traditionally, locomotives pulled trains from the front. However, Push–pull train, push–pull operation has become common, and in the pursuit for ...

engineers to slow down based on each train’s weight, length, speed and track terrain. The sophisticated safety system automatically stops trains if engineers do not respond in a timely manner, preventing certain accidents caused by human error including train-to-train collisions.

Communication-based train control

According to the IEEE 1474 (1999),

communications-based train control Communications-based train control (CBTC) is a railway signaling system that uses telecommunications between the train and track equipment for traffic management and infrastructure control. CBTC allows a train's position to be known more accura ...

(CBTC) is a continuous,

automatic train control Automatic train control (ATC) is a general class of train protection systems for railways that involves a speed control mechanism in response to external inputs. For example, a system could effect an emergency brake application if the driver do ...

system utilizing high-resolution train location determination, independent of track circuits and continuous communication between train onboard systems and wayside systems. They rely on Wi-Fi or LTE radio technology to establish this bi-directional communication between the train and wayside controllers.

References

{{reflist Railway signalling Train protection systems