Development of a smart railway system for Bangladesh

This paper suggests an approach towards an intelligent and automatic management of a railway transportation system in order to prevent hazards like collisions and derailments. The system is designed as such that it is most viable for Bangladesh, however, it can also be easily implemented at any other railway infrastructure. The system features active train detection using global navigation satellite system (GNSS) coordinates and obstacle detection at level crossings using long range infrared; automatic signaling and gate control at level crossings using light emitting diodes (LEDs) and servo motors; automatic and manual communication between trains and level crossings using global system for mobile communication (GSM) technology and lastly development of a web-based central control system to monitor locations and activities of trains using navigation technology and to communicate with the entire railway community as well as the country's emergency services. Our design includes the integration and interaction of three separate sub-systems: central control system, level crossing system and train system. Implementation of such a system in Bangladesh Railway will not only provide a comprehensive level of safety in railway transportation but also take Bangladesh a step forward towards the much-anticipated dream by Bangladesh government of creating a ‘Digital Bangladesh’.