A test support method includes a step of obtaining a pre-change image and a post-change image to be displayed on a monitoring and control system, a step of extracting, from the post-change image, multiple symbols that have changed from corresponding symbols in the pre-change image, a step of adding order information to the multiple symbols extracted, and a step of outputting a test image in which the order information is added to the multiple symbols.

An interface adapter for controlling a track-side object of a railway installation includes an analog input from an external source and an analog output to drive an electromechanical relay circuit. A bidirectional digital communication interface communicates digital data including first digital data transmitted and second digital data received. An analog-to-digital converter coupled to the analog input is configured to generate a first digital signal representing the electrical input. A digital-to-analog converter coupled to the analog output is configured to generate the electrical output in response to a second digital signal. A power supply supplies electrical power to the digital-to-analog converter. A programmable logic control circuit includes a control program configured to produce the first digital data from the first digital signal, transmit the first digital data using the digital communication interface, process the second digital data, and produce the second digital signal in response to the second digital data.

Various methods and systems are provided for a railyard system. In one example, a method for managing a railyard comprises, within the railyard, positioning a cargo unit on a multi-directional pad and moving the pad multi-directionally based on a requested order for the cargo unit relative to other cargo units, where the requested order corresponds to an order of cargo units on railcars of an outbound train. The multi-directional pad may operate within an arena, where the arena includes a concrete surface depressed into the ground such that a surface of the pad is level with a surface of the ground surrounding the arena, thereby allowing railcars to be pushed onto the pad by a locomotive of a train.

Various methods and systems are provided for a railyard system. In one example, a method for managing a railyard comprises, within the railyard, positioning a cargo unit on a multi-directional pad and moving the pad multi-directionally based on a requested order for the cargo unit relative to other cargo units, where the requested order corresponds to an order of cargo units on railcars of an outbound train. The multi-directional pad may operate within an arena, where the arena includes a concrete surface depressed into the ground such that a surface of the pad is level with a surface of the ground surrounding the arena, thereby allowing railcars to be pushed onto the pad by a locomotive of a train.

According to one aspect of the invention, the circuit logic of an existing relay interlocking system is mapped onto a functionally equivalent circuit of electronic components. Semiconductor components that are functionally identical to the components of the relay circuit are thus preferably used. The circuit logic is created, for example, by transforming an interlocking table or track diagram into a logic circuit by means of an automatic compiler according to predefined rules.

A method and system for managing traffic of guided vehicles over a railway network include a first ATS system for regulating traffic of guided vehicles over a first regulation domain of the network and a second ATS system configured for regulating traffic of guided vehicles over a second regulation domain. The regulation domains have a common boundary and at least one track connects a first position within the first regulation domain to a second position within the second regulation domain. The second ATS system detects limited traffic capacity at the second position and automatically computes, as a function of the detected limited traffic capacity, a target headway between two successive guided vehicles crossing the common boundary for entering the second regulation domain. The first ATS system automatically determines, from the received target headway, a reference timetable, complying with the received target headway, for the first regulation domain.

A method and system for managing traffic of guided vehicles over a railway network include a first ATS system for regulating traffic of guided vehicles over a first regulation domain of the network and a second ATS system configured for regulating traffic of guided vehicles over a second regulation domain. The regulation domains have a common boundary and at least one track connects a first position within the first regulation domain to a second position within the second regulation domain. The second ATS system detects limited traffic capacity at the second position and automatically computes, as a function of the detected limited traffic capacity, a target headway between two successive guided vehicles crossing the common boundary for entering the second regulation domain. The first ATS system automatically determines, from the received target headway, a reference timetable, complying with the received target headway, for the first regulation domain.

A terminal device which receives command information from a central device in a train information management system, includes a transmission-reception unit which transmits and receives the command information to and from the central device or other terminal device and periodically receives command information from a plurality of central devices, a control unit which determines whether or not management information, which is information on a train composition set by a central device which is a transmission source, regarding the received command information, is normal command information and determines command information to be adopted based on a priority set to the central device which is the transmission source when receiving the normal command information from the plurality of central devices, and a storage unit which stores information on the priorities set to the plurality of central devices.

A method of communication-based train control system migration includes scanning a guideway to generate surveying data and processing surveying data to calculate a 3-D representation of the guideway. Appropriate locations are determined for the communication-based control devices on the guideway. Communication-based train control devices are installed in a guideway at the determined appropriate locations and vehicles are retrofitted with an autonomy platform. Testing of the control devices and retrofit vehicles is performed. A communication-based train control system is used to control the retrofit vehicles when they operate within the guideway.

A rail-bound track section is equipped with an automatic train protection system. The train protection system is a combined train protection system with the functionality of a first automatic train protection system and the functionality of a second automatic train protection system. The combined train protection system takes trains equipped with the second train protection system in the track section into account during a control of trains equipped with the first train protection system, and also takes trains equipped with the first train protection system in the track section into account during a control of trains equipped with the second train protection system. A method for operating a rail-bound track section equipped with an automatic train protection system is also provided.