Virtual Lineside signaling

[Yew]

Hey all, I have jsut been looking at High Marnhams wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Marnham_Test_Track) and it mentions something called 'Virtual lineside signalling' that seems to be an RFID and iPad based version of In cab signaling. Does anyone have any informationabout this, either how it works, or what the results of the test where? Would it be possible to see this on 125mph+ stretches, that dont have the frequency to justify full ERTMS?

Or maybe it could be the way to get a 140mph WCML at a lower cost?


Thanks, Yew

 

[MarkyT]

Hey all, I have jsut been looking at High Marnhams wikipedia page and it mentions something called 'Virtual lineside signalling' that seems to be an RFID and iPad based version of In cab signaling. Does anyone have any information about this, either how it works, or what the results of the test were?

Details of the system, being developed by Park Signalling are available here:

http://www.park-signalling.co.uk/pdf/VLS_WhitePaper.pdf

Would it be possible to see this on 125mph+ stretches, that dont have the frequency to justify full ERTMS? Or maybe it could be the way to get a 140mph WCML at a lower cost?

Not really the target market! The paper does discuss using the same principles using ERTMS equipment, but still aimed at 'regional' application.

 

[HSTEd]

One would hope that it won't actually use an iPad in the production variation, instead of some open source platform running on generic hardware.

But either way, the installation cost and ensuring that connections can always be maintained with the control centre at all points on the track under all atmospheric and other conditions will be probably render it non viable overall.

Although if it does work as advertised that would be the death knell of conventional signalling systems.

 

[Yew]

I wonder if this proove sucsessful, we could see a passanger service at High marnham, usign this type of signalling to work at the first real test. Before the recession a robin hood line extension was on the cards, this might have just bought down the cost further. If a pilot program for this signalling was put forward.

 

[LE Greys]

That sounds a lot like the Signal Repeating AWS they tried out on the Southern Region once.

 

[Yew]

That sounds a lot like the Signal Repeating AWS they tried out on the Southern Region once.

That was 45 years ago, the more advanced technology could give different outcome

 

[Tiny Tim]

Several companies have developed or are developing virtual lineside signalling under different names and with a varying range of functions. With increased linespeeds it has obvious advantages.