Features

The ECO-RAIL application is based on the following components:

1. On-board unit (OBU) for determining the train's position on the track: The navigation unit is composed of three navigation sub-systems:
   
   • GNSS-1 receiver (GPS positioning with EGNOS augmentation)
   • odometer (measurement of travelled distance)
   • GIS (cartographic information)

   The data of these components is processed in a data fusion computer (DFC), that extracts the best combined solution by means of sophisticated filtering techniques (Kalman filtering).
    

2. Communication system: Conventional radio equipment establishes the communication link between on-board and ground equipment.
   
3. Electronic Recording Computer (ERC): This part of the equipment is in charge of recording the radio messages coming from the on-board equipment as well as the actions of the existing hardwired system of the ALX.
   

To examine the quality of localization the activation of a level crossing was simulated and compared with the data derived from the conventional equipment. In addition, a time-optimised activation based on the current speed of the train was tested. Therefore, it was demonstrated that the satellite navigation is not only an equivalent alternative to conventional track-side equipment but it has to be considered as a more efficient solution.

Figure 2: The ECO-RAIL system is the first step of evolution from a hardwired ground system to an on-board system.