Communication System Performability Evaluation

The future European Train Control System (ETCS) will be based on mobile communication and it overcomes the standard operation with fixed blocks.1 It is introduced to increase track utilization and interoperability throughout Europe while reducing trackside equipment cost. Data processing on board the train and in radio block centers (RBC) as well as a radio communication link are crucial factors for the safe and efficient operation. Their real‐time behavior under inevitable link failures thus needs to be modeled and evaluated. This chapter presents a stochastic discrete event model of communication failure and recovery behavior. An additional model for the exchange of location and movement authority data packets between trains and RBC is presented and analyzed. Performance evaluation of the model shows the significant impact of packet delays and losses on the reliable operation of high‐speed trains. It allows to obtain and compare the theoretical track utilization under different operation strategies.

Train control is an important part of a railway operations management system. It connects the fixed signaling infrastructure with the trains traditionally. With the European Union ERTMS/ETCS project (European Rail Traffic Management System/European Train Control System), a standardized European train control system is designed, which will gradually replace the great number of different train control systems in use today. It will allow trains to cross borders without the need to change locomotive or driver, as it is still necessary today. The system forms the cornerstone of a common system for train control and traffic management.