LOCOPROL
Encyclopedia
LOCOPROL has been a project to research the integration of satellite navigation into railway networks targeting low-density track lines. It is supposed to extend the ERTMS train protection systems. The partner project LOCOLOC was looking into cab signaling and speed control measures.
Locoprol has its technical foundation in systems like Euteltrac / OmniTRACS from Qualcomm in use since 1991 for satellite-based fleet management followed by APOLO (Advanced Position Locator), ECORAIL (EGNOS Controlled Railway Equipment) and the parallel INTEGRAIL project (2001–2003) der ESA The LOCOPROL project was funded by the 5. Framework Programme of the EU just like the GADEROS
project (GAlileo DEmonstrator Railway Operation System) starting at the same to research the integration of satellite navigation into the ERTMS standard (project partners were INECO, TIFSA, Railways Safety, ERRI, Aena, GMV Sistemas, Sener, NSL) The project was coordinated by Alstom.
The LOCOPROL project partners were Alstom (Belgium), Honeywell Regelsysteme Gmbh (Germany), INRETS (France), Alstom Transport (Italy), Trasys (Belgium), Alstom Transport (France), BPV (Germany), Septentrio (Belgium), Reseau Ferré de France (France), Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Belges (Belgium), Northern Jiaotong University (China), European Road Transport Telematics
Implementation Coordination Organisation S.C.R.L. (Belgium).
The project did officially end in 2005 however it was continued in other projects building on its results. The ESA
started in 2006 the project RUNE (Railway User Navigation Equipment) to use Galileo (satellite system) to create "virtual balise
s" and the projekt GEORAIL at the UIC continues to research satellite navigation in rail transport since 2004. the 6. Framework Programme of the EU contains GIRASOLE (accompanied by GPS-LOC of the SCNF), GRAIL and M-TRADE which ran until 2007. In England LOCASYS project was started continuing the LOCOPROL project with a target on dependability until 2009. In Belgium the LOCOPROL pilot railway track was extended in the TransLogisTIC project between 2007 and 2009 looking into integration of railway and classic fleet management. The actual usage of satellite navigation in railway systems can be currently found systems like the Tr@in-MD of SCNF for dangerous goods
wagons traceability and Gédéon of SCNF for
tracking of freight.
Similar projects covering train protection systems can be found in the Nationwide Differential Global Positioning System (NDGPS) to be deployed as a satellite-based protection system in the Positive Train Control
from 2015 in the USA. The ERTMS Regional
system of Banverket
is also a low-cost variant of ERTMS but it is not based satellite navigation so far. The GSA/ESA has proposed the GRAIL-2 project for the 7. Framework Programme to continue the research of integration of satellite navigation into ERTMS.
The results of the LOCOLOC/LOCOPROL project have shown that satellite navigation in urban areas is highly restricted by satellites in range. The project has developed algorithms to map satellite signals to a 1D flat track map that allows to check the position even with only two satellites in range (from 6 satellites required for a safe EGNOS measurement it allows 3 failures and in some cases 4 failures). Still the results have not been able to meet SIL4 safety of life
boundaries (with 98% of measures succeful outside tunnels) however the test model had not been conclusive regarding dependability on all system conditions. The results indicate so far that passive (fixed data) balise
s are necessary in the vicinity of railway stations to counter the lack of accuracy of the satellite train positioning.
As EGNOS certification for safety of life applications will be achieved in 2010 the LOCOPROL results may be re-evaluated with the system running in a non-prototype environment. In comparison the North American Joint Positive Train Control system is testing with two Differential GPS receivers combined with an inertial navigation system
for dead reckoning
in areas with not enough satellites in sight. The Italian Ansaldo STS
has developed a train control system based Russian entwickelte KLUB-U
safety systems - the ITARUS-ATC takes advantage of satellite navigation in combination with a intertial navigation system and wheel sensors to measure the travel distance reaching a safety level ready for passenger transport in Russia - it will be deployed on the track to Sotchi up to the winter games 2014.
Locoprol has its technical foundation in systems like Euteltrac / OmniTRACS from Qualcomm in use since 1991 for satellite-based fleet management followed by APOLO (Advanced Position Locator), ECORAIL (EGNOS Controlled Railway Equipment) and the parallel INTEGRAIL project (2001–2003) der ESA The LOCOPROL project was funded by the 5. Framework Programme of the EU just like the GADEROS
GADEROS
GADEROS is a study sponsored by the European Commission. The purpose is to make use of the Galileo Global Navigation Satellite System when it becomes functional in 2008....
project (GAlileo DEmonstrator Railway Operation System) starting at the same to research the integration of satellite navigation into the ERTMS standard (project partners were INECO, TIFSA, Railways Safety, ERRI, Aena, GMV Sistemas, Sener, NSL) The project was coordinated by Alstom.
The LOCOPROL project partners were Alstom (Belgium), Honeywell Regelsysteme Gmbh (Germany), INRETS (France), Alstom Transport (Italy), Trasys (Belgium), Alstom Transport (France), BPV (Germany), Septentrio (Belgium), Reseau Ferré de France (France), Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Belges (Belgium), Northern Jiaotong University (China), European Road Transport Telematics
Implementation Coordination Organisation S.C.R.L. (Belgium).
The project did officially end in 2005 however it was continued in other projects building on its results. The ESA
European Space Agency
The European Space Agency , established in 1975, is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space, currently with 18 member states...
started in 2006 the project RUNE (Railway User Navigation Equipment) to use Galileo (satellite system) to create "virtual balise
Balise
A balise is an electronic beacon or transponder placed between the rails of a railway as part of an Automatic Train Protection system. The French word "balise" is used to distinguish these beacons from other kinds of beacon....
s" and the projekt GEORAIL at the UIC continues to research satellite navigation in rail transport since 2004. the 6. Framework Programme of the EU contains GIRASOLE (accompanied by GPS-LOC of the SCNF), GRAIL and M-TRADE which ran until 2007. In England LOCASYS project was started continuing the LOCOPROL project with a target on dependability until 2009. In Belgium the LOCOPROL pilot railway track was extended in the TransLogisTIC project between 2007 and 2009 looking into integration of railway and classic fleet management. The actual usage of satellite navigation in railway systems can be currently found systems like the Tr@in-MD of SCNF for dangerous goods
wagons traceability and Gédéon of SCNF for
tracking of freight.
Similar projects covering train protection systems can be found in the Nationwide Differential Global Positioning System (NDGPS) to be deployed as a satellite-based protection system in the Positive Train Control
Positive Train Control
Positive train control is a system of monitoring and controlling train movements to provide increased safety.-Overview:The main concept in PTC is that the train receives information about its location and where it is allowed to safely travel, also known as movement authorities...
from 2015 in the USA. The ERTMS Regional
ERTMS Regional
ERTMS Regional is a simplified and low-cost variant of the European Rail Traffic Management System suitable for train control on lines with low traffic volumes...
system of Banverket
Banverket
The Swedish Rail Administration was a government agency that owned and maintained virtually all railway lines in Sweden except many short sidings for freight only. It was formed in 1988 when Statens Järnvägar was split, leaving Statens Järnvägar as mainly a train operator and real estate owner,...
is also a low-cost variant of ERTMS but it is not based satellite navigation so far. The GSA/ESA has proposed the GRAIL-2 project for the 7. Framework Programme to continue the research of integration of satellite navigation into ERTMS.
The results of the LOCOLOC/LOCOPROL project have shown that satellite navigation in urban areas is highly restricted by satellites in range. The project has developed algorithms to map satellite signals to a 1D flat track map that allows to check the position even with only two satellites in range (from 6 satellites required for a safe EGNOS measurement it allows 3 failures and in some cases 4 failures). Still the results have not been able to meet SIL4 safety of life
Safety Integrity Level
Safety Integrity Level is defined as a relative level of risk-reduction provided by a safety function, or to specify a target level of risk reduction. In simple terms, SIL is a measurement of performance required for a Safety Instrumented Function ....
boundaries (with 98% of measures succeful outside tunnels) however the test model had not been conclusive regarding dependability on all system conditions. The results indicate so far that passive (fixed data) balise
Balise
A balise is an electronic beacon or transponder placed between the rails of a railway as part of an Automatic Train Protection system. The French word "balise" is used to distinguish these beacons from other kinds of beacon....
s are necessary in the vicinity of railway stations to counter the lack of accuracy of the satellite train positioning.
As EGNOS certification for safety of life applications will be achieved in 2010 the LOCOPROL results may be re-evaluated with the system running in a non-prototype environment. In comparison the North American Joint Positive Train Control system is testing with two Differential GPS receivers combined with an inertial navigation system
Inertial navigation system
An inertial navigation system is a navigation aid that uses a computer, motion sensors and rotation sensors to continuously calculate via dead reckoning the position, orientation, and velocity of a moving object without the need for external references...
for dead reckoning
Dead reckoning
In navigation, dead reckoning is the process of calculating one's current position by using a previously determined position, or fix, and advancing that position based upon known or estimated speeds over elapsed time, and course...
in areas with not enough satellites in sight. The Italian Ansaldo STS
Ansaldo STS
Ansaldo STS S.p.A. is a multinational technology company which produces signalling and automation systems for use by rail and rapid transit operators. The firm also acts as lead contractor and turnkey provider on new rail developments...
has developed a train control system based Russian entwickelte KLUB-U
KLUB-U
KLUB is the name of the modern Russian train control systems. The abbreviation "КЛУБ" stands for "Комплексное локомотивное устройство безопасности", Integrated Train Protection System...
safety systems - the ITARUS-ATC takes advantage of satellite navigation in combination with a intertial navigation system and wheel sensors to measure the travel distance reaching a safety level ready for passenger transport in Russia - it will be deployed on the track to Sotchi up to the winter games 2014.