Development of ATACS and first-phase control run tests (Advanced Train Administration and Communications System)

A conventional train control system uses the information of train location detected by wayside signaling facilities. The system requires, however, enormous number of wayside facilities, which causes the huge cost of maintenance and installation. Applying information and communication technologies, we have developed the Advanced Train Administration and Communications System (ATACS), a new train control system in which each train detects its location by itself, and the main wayside equipment controls the train interval through digital radio communication. We started developing ATACS in 1995 and conducted the first-phase test at Senseki line, a local line in a northern part of Japan, from September 1997 to March 1998. At the test, we confirmed three basic functions of the system, train-location-detection, train-interval control, and transmission of control data by digital radio.