Design of a Real-Time Train Control and Management System

Safety critical real time applications refer to those systems with minimal probability of failure and severe constraints on response time. Typical examples of these include satellite control, commercial and military aircrafts and so on. Describing the behaviour of these systems before production allows us to visualize the system and anticipate risks. Thus, it provides an opportunity to verify the system and ensure minimal wastage of resources. Furthermore, in the case of safety critical systems, initial design enables maximum minimization of error. The goals of high reliability and real time response necessitate systems which are different from other non-real time prototyping systems with respect to their design and development methodology. A specific example of such a system is a train control and management system, which must provide mobile communication and increasing interoperability with minimal risk. This control system must be capable of data processing on the train and radio communication. Today's systems also require automation and continuous development to ensure maximum comfort to passengers for the entire duration of the journey. This work illustrates the design of a train control and management system with the aforementioned capabilities, while ensuring the upkeep of the safety standards of train travel. The system also provides additional security in the form of vigilance control and redundant networks. This work also discusses the first-level implementation of this system in the form of a Human Machine Interface System. This is capable of integration with all other subsystems and provides a single point access to various train controls, thus simplifying the process of hardware interaction for the train crew.