1. Thales Axle Counter The Challenges for a modern Train Detection System
Joachim Janle
Director Axle Counter Business

2. Axle Counter – Past Challenges
THALES
World-Wide market leader in Axle Counter Technology
More than 80 years experience with Axle Counters
Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, PPT

3. Axle Counter – Past Challenges
System Evolution
Introduction in the 1930ies: First Inductive Rail Contacts BUT: Axle Counters not as reliable as Track Circuits
Change in the late 1960ies: Introduction of Electronic Axle Counters > Drastic Improvement of reliability compared to Track Circuits
New Generation in the 1980ies: Introduction of Microprocessor technology > Introduction of redundant system concepts (2oo3) and fault tolerant data transmission
1995: German Railways DB decides to go exclusively with Axle Counters for Train Detection for two reasons
Economical: Application of Axle Counter much cheaper than Track Circuits
Operational: Much higher reliability than track circuits
2000: Introduction of CENELEC Compliant Systems
Modular and Scalable Thales Multi-Section Axle Counter AzLM
Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, PPT

4. Axle Counter – Future Challenges
What has in the past prevented the widespread application of Axle Counters ?
Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, PPT

5. Axle Counter – Past Challenges
Broken Rail Detection
Track Circuits can detect broken rails, Axle Counters can not….
BUT:
Can Track Circuits really detect Broken Rails (reliably) ?
Example: Statistic by MTRC (Hong Kong), June 27th, 2001
SUMMARY:
Only independent Track Inspection (e.g. Ultrasonic) can reliably detect cracked and broken rail
-> Track Circuits can NOT !
Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, PPT

6. Axle Counter – Past Challenges
Track Circuit Clips
A Track Circuit Clip can block a Track Circuit, e.g. in case of an accident, Axle Counter can not….
BUT:
What happens in block lines without train detection ?
Stopping a train to block an adjacent track is a safety risk by itself
SOLUTION:
Train Radio is now widely available for driver communication
It is faster and safer than a Track Circuit Clip
Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, PPT

7. Axle Counter – Performance Challenges
How are Axle Counters today contributing to Railways growth in safety and operational efficiency ?
Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, PPT

8. Axle Counter – Performance Challenges
Full Redundant Axle Counter Applications
Train detection reaching 100% Availability !
Background:
Applications: Lines with extremely high train density, Operational Bottleneck sections, Difficult site access in case of failure (e.g. tunnels)
Areas with high impact on railway operation
-> Driven by financial compensation for Non-Availability (delay Minutes)
Reference Projects:
Lötschberg Tunnel Project, Switzerland
HSL South High speed Line, Netherlands
Gotthard Tunnel Project
Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, PPT

9. Axle Counter – Performance Challenges
Full Redundant Axle Counter Systems
Highest availability of service critical railway lines
Proven and hardened solution
In service since 2005
The interface to the interlocking is evolving over time
HSL South, NL
Lötschberg, CH
Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, PPT

10. Axle Counter – Performance Challenges
Full redundant 2 x 2oo2 configurations
Reset
Sectionstatus
ACE 2oo2 DP
Interlocking
ACE 2oo2 DP
Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, PPT

11. Axle Counter – Redundancy Flexibility
Classical Application
Indoor 2oo2 ACE, Non-Redundant Outdoor
Relay Output or Serial Output to Interlocking
ACE
Relay or serial interface
Interlocking
Section 1
Redundancy concepts
Indoor redundancy
Outdoor redundancy
Full redundancy: indoor and outdoor redundancy
Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, PPT

12. Axle Counter – Redundancy Flexibility
Indoor redundancy
Indoor 2oo2 ACE, Non-Redundant Outdoor
Relay Output or Serial Output to Interlocking
Section evaluation in Separate Circuitry or in the Interlocking
Interlocking
ACE 1
ACE 2
Relay or serial interface
Section 1
Alternative: duplicated cable infrastructure
Interlocking
ACE 1
ACE 2
Relay or serial interface
Section 1
Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, PPT

13. Axle Counter – Redundancy Flexibility
Outdoor redundancy
Outdoor Redundant Concept 2 x Outdoor and 1 x Indoor
Relay Output or Serial Output to Interlocking
Section evaluation in Separate Circuitry or in the Interlocking
Section 1a
Interlocking
Section 1a
Relay or serial interface
Section 1b
ACE
Section 1b
Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, PPT

14. Axle Counter – Redundancy Flexibility
Full Redundancy
Full Redundant Concept 2 x (Indoor 2x2oo2 ACE + Outdoor).
Relay Output or Serial Output to Interlocking
Section evaluation in Separate Circuitry or in the Interlocking.
ACE 1
Section 1a
Interlocking
Relay or serial interface
ACE 2
Section 1b
Proven and hardened solution: In service since 2005.
Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, PPT

15. Axle Counter – Efficiency Challenges
What is making Axle Counters even more effective ?
Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, PPT

16. Axle Counter – Efficiency Challenges
SEAMLESS INTEGRATION into IP NETWORKS
REDUCTION of OWNERSHIP COST
Text
Key features of the Thales Az LM V6-series
STANDARDIZED INTERFACE to ELECTRONIC INTERLOCKING
NEW value adding AXLE COUNTER
APPLICATIONS
Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, PPT

17. Axle Counter – Efficiency Challenges
Reduction of Ownership Cost: The new Rail Contact SK30K
No disassembly for tamping and rail grinding
Mounting over sleeper in combination with large rail profiles (e.g. UIC60, S54, …)
Cable outlet on/beside the sleeper (protection of cables)
Electrically compatible with the Sk30H Rail Contact
Improved compatibility with track maintenance vehicles
Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, PPT

18. Axle Counter – Efficiency Challenges
Reduction of Ownership Cost: The new Rail Contact Sk30K
Improved Clearance at rail mounting
Sk30H
Sk30K
2-way
Vehicle Zone
70mm mm
Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, PPT

19. Axle Counter – Efficiency Challenges
Standardized serial IP interface to Electronic Interlocking
No Relays and Parallel I/O cards in the indoor unit required
No relay / opto coupler interfaces at the interlocking required
Available for 2oo2 and redundant 2oo3 system
IP connection to
the Electronic Interlocking
the Operation and Maintenance Centres
Interlocking
Axle Counter Evaluator
Interlocking
Relay Output
Axle Counter Evaluator 4 4
IP network 4 4 4 4
Relays / Opto couplers
Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, PPT

20. Axle Counter – Efficiency Challenges
Seamless integration into IP networks
e.g. Ethernet right up to the Trackside Detection Points
I/O-Slot
Computer
Power Supply 2
2-Cu
Evaluator
IP network
Interlocking
Operation & Maintenance
Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, PPT

21. Axle Counter – Efficiency Challenges
Seamless integration into IP networks
ACE-ACE connection via IP network. 2 2 2 2
IP network
Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, PPT

22. Axle Counter – Efficiency Challenges
Seamless integration into IP networks
Drastic reduction in Hardware
Serial Interface
Reduction of Relay boards
Detection Points via IP network
Reduction of Serial I/O Boards
Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, PPT

23. Axle Counter – Future Challenges
Operation and Maintenance
IP based diagnostic information
Remote Resetting
From individually maintained Stations…..
To full CTC controlled area supervision…..
Axle Counter, Modern Challenges, PPT