An interlocking device performs route control for trains based on: first operation diagram information as train operation diagram information on a train which runs between stations; second operation diagram information as train operation diagram information on a train which moves in a station yard; and on-track position information on the trains. The interlocking device changes an order of the route control according to whether a predetermined condition is satisfied.

A rail crossover control system for a rail track section is disclosed. The rail track section has first and second rail tracks, a crossover track section extending between the first and second rail tracks, at least one first set of rail switches arranged to controllably determine whether a train continues on the first track or is diverted from the first track onto the crossover track section, and at least one second set of rail switches arranged to controllably determine whether a train continues on the second track or is diverted from the second track onto the crossover track section. The system comprises at least one interlocking control unit arranged to control the first and second sets of rail switches according to determined train routes, and an obstruction detector arranged to detect presence of an obstruction on the crossover track section and generate an obstruction signal when an obstruction is detected.

A rail crossover control system for a rail track section is disclosed. The rail track section has first and second rail tracks, a crossover track section extending between the first and second rail tracks, at least one first set of rail switches arranged to controllably determine whether a train continues on the first track or is diverted from the first track onto the crossover track section, and at least one second set of rail switches arranged to controllably determine whether a train continues on the second track or is diverted from the second track onto the crossover track section. The system comprises at least one interlocking control unit arranged to control the first and second sets of rail switches according to determined train routes, and an obstruction detector arranged to detect presence of an obstruction on the crossover track section and generate an obstruction signal when an obstruction is detected.

A travelling vehicle system that allows a travelling vehicle to smoothly pass through a switching region where a state of a track is switched. The system includes a switching device which switches a state of a track in the switching region, and a host controller which manages a travelling vehicle. The switching device includes a detector which detects the state of the track in the switching region, and a report device which is arranged along the track from the switching region toward the upstream side of the track and reports switching information showing the state of the track. The host controller includes a permission issuing part which issues to the travelling vehicle controller a passage permission, and the travelling vehicle controller includes a travelling control part which determines whether or not to stop before the switching region based on the passage permission and the switching information.

A travelling vehicle system that allows a travelling vehicle to smoothly pass through a switching region where a state of a track is switched. The system includes a switching device which switches a state of a track in the switching region, and a host controller which manages a travelling vehicle. The switching device includes a detector which detects the state of the track in the switching region, and a report device which is arranged along the track from the switching region toward the upstream side of the track and reports switching information showing the state of the track. The host controller includes a permission issuing part which issues to the travelling vehicle controller a passage permission, and the travelling vehicle controller includes a travelling control part which determines whether or not to stop before the switching region based on the passage permission and the switching information.

The present disclosure provides a system for securing communication between Central Controller and signaling devices including actuator devices and signaling sensors used in railway and road traffic signaling networks. Conventional signaling systems use unsecured metal cables to communicate between the Central Controller and the signaling devices, making them vulnerable to unauthorized intrusion and mischief. In the present disclosure, two uniquely addressable communication modules, one (SCM1) securely housed with the Central Controller and another (SCM2) securely housed in an assembly also containing the signaling device and the related power switches are used to establish a transparent but standard secure digital communication protocol between them to authenticate and validate mutual communication, making them secure and safe from intrusion and undesirable manipulation.

To allow a travelling vehicle to travel more smoothly, a host controller of a travelling vehicle system includes a first determination part which determines whether or not a second track selected by a first travelling vehicle is the same as a second track selected by a second travelling vehicle, and an entry permission issuing part that issues an entry permission into a switching track to the second vehicle after checking passage of the first vehicle through the switching track when the second track selected by the first vehicle is different from the second track selected by the second vehicle, and issues the entry permission into the switching track to the second vehicle regardless of receipt or non-receipt of the passage report from the first vehicle when the second track selected by the first vehicle is the same as the second track selected by the second vehicle.

To allow a travelling vehicle to travel more smoothly, a host controller of a travelling vehicle system includes a first determination part which determines whether or not a second track selected by a first travelling vehicle is the same as a second track selected by a second travelling vehicle, and an entry permission issuing part that issues an entry permission into a switching track to the second vehicle after checking passage of the first vehicle through the switching track when the second track selected by the first vehicle is different from the second track selected by the second vehicle, and issues the entry permission into the switching track to the second vehicle regardless of receipt or non-receipt of the passage report from the first vehicle when the second track selected by the first vehicle is the same as the second track selected by the second vehicle.

A method operates an automatic train control system which has an electronic signal box, a balize and a frequency track circuit. To configure the train control system so as to be constructed from components of the European train control system and of the frequency track circuit without substantial additional development effort, the balize is acted upon by indicator messages of a first type of the electronic signal box via an actuation module for modular elements having an addressable memory for the number of currently free block route segments. Indicator messages of a third type are created from indicator messages of a second type. A functional relationship between the addresses of the memory and code information of the frequency track circuit is taken into account during the creation of the third indicator messages. A transmitter of the frequency track circuit is acted upon as a result of the third indicator messages.

A method operates an automatic train control system which has an electronic signal box, a balize and a frequency track circuit. To configure the train control system so as to be constructed from components of the European train control system and of the frequency track circuit without substantial additional development effort, the balize is acted upon by indicator messages of a first type of the electronic signal box via an actuation module for modular elements having an addressable memory for the number of currently free block route segments. Indicator messages of a third type are created from indicator messages of a second type. A functional relationship between the addresses of the memory and code information of the frequency track circuit is taken into account during the creation of the third indicator messages. A transmitter of the frequency track circuit is acted upon as a result of the third indicator messages.