End of Train Device (ETD)
Train integrity supervision are called technical systems or operational rules that check whether a train at a particular site is complete, has therefore lost no railway carriages.
Background
A train can only drive on a track section in the rule when it houses no other vehicles with which the train could collide. Some methods to secure the movement of trains based on the recognition that a track section is free when it retracted the last train has completely left ( and no other vehicles are retracted).
Classical implementation
The last car of each train gets tail markers for most railways. In classical security of a train railway servant at the far end signals of a passing train can be seen that the train is complete. Absence of the tail markers is to assume that there are still cars in the previous section are located. Modern signal boxes and block plants mostly have a direct technical track vacancy detection. Train integrity supervision of a safety is required in these fields.
Current development
Modern train control systems determine the location of the vehicles ( Zugspitze ) conventional quasi- continuously over fixed equipment. If the location of all trains known, it is tempting to forego the technically demanding track vacancy detection. In the present in specification system ETCS Level 3 that is the case (English: End of Train Detection). Knowing the location of the Zugspitze is but alone is not sufficient.
Pending development
Thus, subsequent trains do not collide with detached train parts, the completeness of the trains must be controlled simultaneously and continuously. This is conventionally achieved by a fixed axle counting. Between the reporting points no information is available, so this concept may still require you to block protection. A detachment is equipped with electric trains by signaling between the Zugspitze and end of the train possible in not consistently electrically equipped trains through radio transmission between the Zugspitze and end of the train.
Future Development
Only a separation of track and fixed Zugwegsicherung tensile Zugfahrsicherung allowed the replacement of the fuse block and thus a significant increase in the performance of the railway network and train systems. This is not provided as part of the ETCS Level 2. The European economies are not in a position to make the appropriate investments. Special hardship enters through the variety of different train systems and old rolling stock.
Closed railway networks outside Europe, particularly for coal, ore and mineral transport, use those solutions with great economic success.
Technical design
Passenger trains
Modern railcar trains like TGV, ICE and AVE are equipped with bus systems for zuginternen communication and for the vehicle control system. Even modern coaches have a 24-pin standard control line that runs through all the cars. A train separation would also disconnect the bus. In order to detect an unintentional train separation, so only needs to be ensured that a lack of connection between the first and last car is safely detected (eg through regular telegrams over the train bus ).
Freight trains
In freight trains freight cars are only mechanically coupled. In addition, they have a continuous main air line to control the brakes. Therefore, considerations for the Train integrity supervision of freight trains on this line put on. In a train separation of the air pressure of the line would quickly fall off. However Marketable products are not yet known.
In North America, radio-based Zugvollständigkeitskontrollgeräte be (Train Integrity Devices ) was used. Just as tail markers, they must be fitted by the railway staff on the last car of the train. You control where the pressure of the brake pipe and the train movement through GPS and report the status by radio to the Zugspitze. A comparison with the data at the Zugspitze can detect a train separation. In the usual in Europe, however, the detection of a train separation move sequences in a short time is needed, which is common in North America devices can not be guaranteed.