SAFETY AND AUTOMATIC TRAIN CONTROL FOR RAIL RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEMS

The anticipated construction and expansion of rail rapid transit systems in the United States over the next 10-15 years implies major capital expenditures. A significant level of automation in train control is likely to be central to these systems. The potential safety problems associated with various implementation alternatives, several possible levels of automation, and uncertainty in the corresponding proper role of the human operator raise issues requiring timely resolution. This report describes the state-of-the-art in rail rapid transit system automatic train control, assesses the safety related interrelations between the train control system, functions of the human operator and other portions of the total system, and makes recommendations, based on current experience, to aid the process of planning, funding approval, design, implementation, test, safety certification and operation of new systems or modifications of existing systems. The Study suggests that the Federal Government develop safety criteria by which to evaluate future proposals and establish guidelines for safety certification procedures. It also concludes that knowledgeable application of system engineering skills and advanced development program techniques together as a process, are probably more important to achieving a successful new rail rapid transit system than are individual design decisions or application of advanced technology.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Systems Center

  55 Broadway, Kendall Square
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02142
• Authors:
  • Pawlak, R J
  • Colella, A M
  • Knable, N
  • Robichaud, R H
  • Sussman, E D
• Publication Date: 1974-7

Media Info

• Pagination: 278 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automatic train control; Communications; Rapid transit; Safety; State of the art; Supervision; Train operation
• Subject Areas: Public Transportation; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00072559
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transportation Systems Center
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT-TSC-OST-74-4 Final Rpt.
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 31 1981 12:00AM