Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL)
Tram and Light Rail Safety System
The AVL system optimizes tram locations and maintenance. It tracks arrivals and departures, provides real-time passenger information, and efficiently manages depot operations. It also triggers operational actions at specific points, ensuring smooth and safe operations.
The growing need for efficient tram and light rail transit, as traffic density increases, demands advanced solutions for safe urban mobility. Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) solutions play a critical role by integrating key functions like train location at stations, depot management, and triggering specific tram actions. The AVL system enhances the Passenger Information System (PIS) and Train Control Monitoring System (TCMS) with RFID technology using MOL81 1350 readers and OMR201 passive tags for real-time, precise communication. This system offers universal compatibility, easy installation, all-weather reliability, compliance with safety standards, and advanced magnetic field technology for secure operations.
The Vehicle Location Solution integrates four critical functions:
– Line Station Train Location:
Safeguarding the arrival & departure of the train in station and allowing visual and audible on board announcement launched by the tram PIS ‘’Passenger Information System’’
– Local Information Control Centre ‘’LICC’’:
To ensure accurate passenger information at the station, including train arrivals and departures, it is crucial that the Local Information Control Centre receives reliable, realtime information from the PIS Train system and our AVL subsystem.
– Depot Management Identification:
Ensuring tram identification in the depot to efficiently manage all maintenance and logistics service processes. This also includes managing the flow and parking of trains, as well as their entrances and exits.
– Trigging of onboard tram action:
Ensuring reliable location identification at specific points along the line, the onboard Train Control Monitoring System (TCMS) or Select Door Opening (SDO) System can trigger several operational actions. These include mounting the pantograph at designated station power-up points, activating a blue light in the driver’s cabin to enable final braking, and automatically opening the wheelchair zone doors for smooth bridge device operation. Additionally, wheel lubrication and trackside sanding can be monitored.
These functionalities operate in real time with high availability and are essential for smooth and secure operation of trams in the bustling urban landscape.
The solution
The AVL System is designed to enhance the operations of the onboard train PIS, TCMS Systems or the management of the Train Depot System. It involves two key components: the MOL81 1350 Reader, an Identification based Location RFID Reader installed on the train or on trackside, and the Passive tag OMR201, positioned along the track or underneath the train.
Reader onboard
Dual Frequency System: The MOL81 incorporates a 125 kHz transmitter for passive beacon remote power and a 6.78 MHz receiver for data received from the beacon.
A static code is programmed into the passive beacon OMR 201 and stored. As the MOL81 Reader passes over the beacon at speeds up to 300 km/h, the code is read
on the fly and transmitted to the controller.
The MOL81 1350 has a self-test system that can be activated by a request through its serial link. It also provides two digital outputs: one ensures that the 125 kHz transmitter is functioning correctly, and the other indicates the presence of a beacon. Various real-time protocols can be implemented between the MOL81 Reader and the host, depending on its functional architecture.
Passive Beacon
The Beacons OMR201 are completely passive: no power supply is needed, and they
are very reliable. The data content can be up to 512 bits. Depending on the application,
the reader and beacon can be arranged accordingly.
Solution benefits:
This TM RFID technology is reliable, stable over time, sustainable, and cost-efficient. It’s important to consider the total cost of ownership for any technology, which includes the product’s cost over its entire lifetime, not just the initial purchase price. The total cost of ownership encompasses direct purchase costs, installation costs, and the costs of corrective and preventive services throughout the solution’s operational life.
The AVL System is designed to enhance the operations of onboard train PIS, TCMS systems, and the management of the Train Depot System. It involves two key components: the MOL81 1350 Reader, an identification-based location RFID reader installed on the train or trackside, and the passive tag OMR201, positioned along the track or underneath the train.
- Universal Compatibility: Seamlessly adaptable to any vehicle or trackside infrastructure, making it versatile for different civil work designs.
- Effortless Integration: Easy installation with no configuration required, allowing for a hassle-free setup process.
- All-Weather Reliability: Engineered to function consistently in various weather conditions, ensuring reliable performance when needed most.
- Compliance Excellence: Fully compliant with European and SNCF STME 001 Operator Standards, meeting rigorous safety and performance requirements.
- Advanced HF Technology: Utilizes magnetic field inductive coupling for precise and targeted protection, ensuring operational accuracy and security.
This RFID solution can support numerous supervision, monitoring, and logistics applications. It has been in use worldwide for approximately 25 years, providing a solid return on experience (REX). Additionally, the solution is completely reversible, supporting both installation scenarios related to various addressable applications.
