A switch alignment detection and enforcement system for a switch for a railway track having a normal leg and a reverse leg, the switch having a normal position for entry on the normal leg after the switch and a reverse position for entry on the reverse leg after the switch. The system includes: a first switch monitor device configured to generate at least one signal when the switch is in the normal position; a second switch monitor device configured to generate at least one signal when the switch is in the reverse position; and a train management computer configured or programmed to implement at least one train control action based on: a signal or absence thereof from the first switch monitor device and/or the second switch monitor device; and the content of a form-based authority. A switch alignment detection and enforcement arrangement and method are also disclosed.

A track switching arrangement for a track-based guided transportation system, wherein the track switching arrangement forms diverging pathways and enables vehicle-side switching of a vehicle in the guided transportation system. The track switching arrangement includes an upstream pathway; two downstream pathways; and a path switching transition region having the diverging pathways between the upstream pathway and the two downstream pathways. Each of the pathways includes track elements configured to interact with one or more respective bearings of the vehicle to provide levitation to the vehicle and/or guidance for the vehicle.

A safety method is provided for a railway network that is divided into track sections by track elements, and can be travelled by vehicles in accordance with data from components of a track atlas. The vehicles request steps, from selections of the track elements, for assignment as a travel path element, and in which each of the selected track elements automatically assigns itself as a travel path element for each vehicle that requests the steps for assignment as a travel path element, under predetermined conditions. In order to optimize the loading of the track atlas relating to each vehicle, the data at least of one of the components of the track atlas is stored locally by the track elements in parts relating to the track elements in the form of datasets. A safety system for the railway network implements the safety method.

A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.

A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.

A protection method for a railway network which is divided into track sections by track elements, and which can be traveled on by vehicles. The vehicles request steps for assignment from selected track elements to form travel path elements. In order to optimize the train service, each of the selected track elements provides at least one signal for each vehicle that requests at least one of the steps for assignment as a travel path element from same. There is also disclosed a protection system for a railway network.

A safety method for a railway network that is divided into section segments by way of section elements and which can be traveled by vehicles in accordance with data from a section atlas. The vehicles request steps for allocation as a track element from selected section elements. Each of the selected section elements autonomously allocates itself as a track element under specified conditions for each requesting vehicle. In order to be able to inform the vehicle or the vehicle operators thereof about changed section characteristics better and more quickly, for the section elements, the vehicles store manually entered and/or manually released dynamic driving operation data as a dynamic component of the section atlas in parts related to the section elements.

A rail network is divided by track elements into track sections on which vehicles can travel. The vehicles request, from selected track elements, steps for assignment as a route element. Each of the selected track elements is respectively automatically assigned as a route element, under predefined conditions, for each vehicle which requests the steps for assignment as a route element to it, and outputs an assignment confirmation to the respective vehicle. For better protection of construction and/or maintenance work in the hazardous area of the rail network at least one of the track elements forms, after its integration into the rail network, a working zone and does not output the assignment confirmation for the respective vehicle until after an assignment release is input. The track element is provided with a release device into which the assignment release is input manually.

A rail network is divided by track elements into track sections on which vehicles can travel. The vehicles request, from selected track elements, steps for assignment as a route element. Each of the selected track elements is respectively automatically assigned as a route element, under predefined conditions, for each vehicle which requests the steps for assignment as a route element to it, and outputs an assignment confirmation to the respective vehicle. For better protection of construction and/or maintenance work in the hazardous area of the rail network at least one of the track elements forms, after its integration into the rail network, a working zone and does not output the assignment confirmation for the respective vehicle until after an assignment release is input. The track element is provided with a release device into which the assignment release is input manually.

A safety method is provided for a railway network which is divided into track segments by track elements and can be traveled by vehicles. In the method the vehicles request, from selections of the track elements, steps for assignment as a travel path element. Each of the selected track elements automatically assigns itself as a travel path element for each vehicle that requests the steps for assignment as a travel path element, under predetermined conditions. For temporal optimization of the assignment of the track elements as travel path elements, the respective track element automatically assigns itself to the respective vehicle, in that in reaction to a first request of the respective vehicle in a demand type requested by the respective vehicle, the track element carries out its approval as a travel path element for the respective vehicle.