This application describes methods and apparatus for tracking targets in a fiber optic distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) network. The DAS network comprises a plurality of interrogator units interrogating sensing fibers deployed along paths of interest to provide DAS sensors. Targets are tracked at each of a plurality of tracker nodes of the DAS network, where each tracker node receives measurement signals from one or more DAS sensors and applies a tracking algorithm to track any targets in a respective tracker zone. Each tracker node maintains, for each target, a tracking dataset of target properties for tracking that target. The method involves identifying when a first target in a first tracker zone of a first tracker node is approaching a second tracker zone of a second tracker nod and supplying for the first tracker node to the second tracker node a Target Descriptor for the first target.

This application describes methods and apparatus for tracking targets in a fiber optic distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) network. The DAS network comprises a plurality of interrogator units interrogating sensing fibers deployed along paths of interest to provide DAS sensors. Targets are tracked at each of a plurality of tracker nodes of the DAS network, where each tracker node receives measurement signals from one or more DAS sensors and applies a tracking algorithm to track any targets in a respective tracker zone. Each tracker node maintains, for each target, a tracking dataset of target properties for tracking that target. The method involves identifying when a first target in a first tracker zone of a first tracker node is approaching a second tracker zone of a second tracker nod and supplying for the first tracker node to the second tracker node a Target Descriptor for the first target.

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 method and a system determine a subsequent number of guided vehicles occupying a track section of a railway network. The system has a trackside device configured for controlling and managing a movement authority of a guided vehicle for a track section and at least one neighboring trackside device. Each neighboring trackside device is configured for controlling and managing a movement authority for a directly neighboring track section. The trackside device is configured for calculating the subsequent number of guided vehicles from a number of guided vehicles occupying the track section previously determined by the trackside device and information received from each neighboring trackside device regarding a number of guided vehicles entering, from the track section. The directly neighboring track section is controlled by the neighboring trackside device and a number of guided vehicles leaving the directly neighboring track section for the track section.

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.

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 railway turnout control method comprises: constructing a data space corresponding to a railway turnout area (101); adding a virtual railway turnout, in the data space, to an area in which a target turnback stopping point is located (102); adding the virtual railway turnout to a railway turnout list corresponding to a route along which a train drives into the area (103); and not releasing claim of the virtual railway turnout when the train stops at the turnback stopping point (104); Also provided is a railway turnout control system. The method and system can solve problems of deadlock of a turnback area and insufficient safety protection of crossed routes.

A railway turnout control method comprises: constructing a data space corresponding to a railway turnout area (101); adding a virtual railway turnout, in the data space, to an area in which a target turnback stopping point is located (102); adding the virtual railway turnout to a railway turnout list corresponding to a route along which a train drives into the area (103); and not releasing claim of the virtual railway turnout when the train stops at the turnback stopping point (104); Also provided is a railway turnout control system. The method and system can solve problems of deadlock of a turnback area and insufficient safety protection of crossed routes.

A collision avoidance system obtains movement indicative data of plural vehicles included in separate vehicle systems. The movement indicative data can be obtained from sensors onboard the vehicles. The system determines an identification of which of the vehicles are included in the separate vehicle systems based on the movement indicative data that are obtained and determines a collision risk between two or more vehicle systems of the separate vehicle systems based on the movement indicative data that are obtained and the identification of which of the vehicles are in the separate vehicle systems. The system automatically changes movement of at least one of the two or more vehicle systems responsive to determining the collision risk.