A Traffic Management System for Real-time Traffic Optimisation in Railways

The increase in traffic intensity and complexity of the railway system demands new methods for real-time traffic control. This paper introduces the architecture, the approach and the current implementation of an advanced Traffic Management System (TMS) able to optimise traffic fluency in large railway networks equipped with either fixed or moving block signalling systems. The TMS takes into account both the actual position and speed of each train in the area and the actual status of the infrastructure, and the dynamic characteristics of the train and the characteristics of the infrastructure such gradients, admissible speeds, signal positions and signal patterns.Potential conflicts can be predicted in advance and solved in real time, by managing the order of trains, or using alternative routes if possible, and by issuing proper speed recommendations to train drivers. In this way, the TMS prevents or limits the number of unplanned stops and the accompanying journey time loss. (A) Reprinted with permission from Elsevie