Two firms get nod to install train collision prevention system

Railways has finally selected two firms for installing the much awaited Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), the safety mechanism to prevent accidents, in the 200-km-long Vikarabad-Bidar section as a pilot project.

Medha Servo and Kernex Microsystems were selected among six contenders, including a few multinational companies, by the Research, Designs and Standard Organisation (RDSO) of the Indian Railways on behalf of the Railway Board, a senior Railway Ministry official said.

The pilot project, which aims at preventing accidents, is estimated to cost about Rs 18 crore while the trials on Vikarabad-Bidar section in South Central zone are expected to be completed in about eight months time by February 2014.

A safety device designed to prevent train accidents, TCAS is based on a combination of railway signalling data with radio communications, global position, radio frequency identification devices, software and logic.

The indigenously developed TCAS is a combination of Train Protection Warning System (TPWS), an European technology which protects trains against signal passing at danger, and Konkan Railway-developed anti-collision device which avoids collision in mid-section.

“TCAS is developed in RDSO and it is very cost effective for us. While TPWS cost about Rs 70 lakh per km, TCAS is just about Rs 10 lakh,” said the official.

Fitted with a Global Positioning System (GPS) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), the device would automatically activate the brakes if it detects any problems on the track.

After a successful trial in the South Central zone, TCAS will be deployed all over the country, said the official.

TCAS is equipped to control railway stations, signalling systems and trains including suburban, long-distance and goods trains.

The official further said that whenever TCAS has to bring the train to a halt, it will first reduce its speed and identify the nearest signal within the range of 200 metres with the help of RFID.

“It will then ensure that the train stops close to this signal.”

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/two-firms-get-nod-to-install-train-collision-prevention-system/article4937928.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy

Computerised tests for train drivers by Rlys

In order to curb human error in train operation and reduce accidents, the Indian Railways will expand the use of computerised mental ability tests for drivers prior to their deployment on long distance trains. In India, currently 43 per cent of railway accidents have human error behind them.

The improved psycho-physical tests are also to be used for Assistant Station Masters to ascertain their mental abilities in coping with the challenges of safety and security.
Lucknow based Research, Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) is developing these in-house psychological tests for safety performance of operating staff to do away with imported tests.

Cause-wise analysis indicates that 42 per cent of accidents took place due to failure of railway staff, 43 per cent due to failure of other than railway staff, 7 per cent due to sabotage, 3 per cent each due to failure of equipment and incidental and balance,1 per cent each due to combination of factors and non-establishment of cause.

Thus, a large chunk of accidents is on account of human failure.

The ministry is completely computerising aptitude testing and introducing changes in testing pattern currently being used for safety performance.

Eight assessment centres with biometric security system are also being set up across the country to screen loco pilots.

To enrich testing methods, new tests of depth perception and perceptual speed for measuring critical cognitive attributes of drivers and Assistant Station Masters(ASMs) having bearing on safety performance have recently been developed.

Currently drivers for high speed trains like Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains, having speed more than 110 km per hour are screened through indigenously developed Computer Aided Drivers Aptitude tests.

This includes 17 tests for assessment of psycho-physical cognitive and personality attributes imperative for the job.

The tests measure specific abilities related to the job such as Reaction Time, Form Perception, Vigilance and Speed anticipation.

So far about 1500 drivers have been screened through this system.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/335872/computerised-tests-train-drivers-rlys.html

Railways experiment with cost-effective fly ash sleepers

The Research, Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) of Indian Railways is experimenting with cost-effective sleepers for railway tracks. At present, railway sleepers are made with cement concrete. Now, the RDSO, in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur and NTPC, is planning to use fly ash in the sleepers, which will not only make them more durable, but also cost effective. An initiative of NTPC, the project was undertaken by RDSO in January 2010, and the sleepers will undergo lab tests in the next three months before going for field trials.

Fly ash is a residue of coal-based thermal power plants and is generally considered a waste. However, it is known to acquire cement-like properties when mixed with lime and water because of its pozzolanic characteristics, said V K Mathur, Head of Ash Utilisation Division, NTPC.

India produces 150 million ton fly ash every year and by 2012, the production is expected to reach 200 million tons. Mixing 25 to 30 per cent of fly ash gives 20 per cent more durability to the cement structure as the fly ash particles, being smaller in size than the cement particles, settle in the smallest of voids in a cement structure and make the structure more condense, Mathur told The Indian Express.

He was in town to participate in the two-day UIC Asia Workshop on Optimisation of Pre-stressed Concrete Sleepers organised by the International Union of Railways in collaboration with RDSO. This is the first time that railways organised an international workshop in Lucknow and more than 80 delegates from across the country, as well as from Germany and Australia, participated in it.

“We produce around one crore sleepers every year and if the experiment is successful, it will reduce the cost of production of each sleeper by approximately Rs 30, which will mean an overall cost saving of Rs 30 to 35 crore per annum for India Railways,” said A K Singhal, Executive Director (Track), RDSO.

“In the long run, this will also gain carbon credits for RDSO as it will reduce 0.15 million tons emission of carbon dioxide per annum,” Mathur said. Fly ash is also expected to reduce lime requirements in the process by 0.15 million tons, he added.

“The lab tests on sleepers made of 30 per cent fly ash is being done in IIT-Kanpur and if all goes well, we will be ready for its field trial in the next three months. The first trials on main track will be done in the vicinity of RDSO, Lucknow,” said Singhal.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/railways-experiment-with-costeffective-fly-ash-sleepers/600589/0