A feasibility study of train automatic stop control using range sensors

Automatic train control plays a key role in improving the efficiency and safety of train movements, as well as the riding comfort of passengers. In Japan, train control systems have been successfully implemented since 1980s. These systems have been required to obtain train position and speed as accurately as possible. This has mostly depended on axle generators and transponders. More specifically, the axle generators measure the speed and the moving distance from the reference points specified by the transponders. However, train control systems using these devices still fail to get correct train position, due to skidding or slipping, until passing over reference points. This paper focuses on train automatic stop control (TASC), and presents a new TASC system using a commercial range sensor instead of transponders so that a train implementing the system can detect its position continuously.