Internet of Things Technology for Train Positioning and Integrity in the Railway Industry Domain

Smart cities and Industry 5.0 have the potential to improve efficiency and sustainability in industrial environments, logistics and intelligent transportation, through the use of advanced technologies such as European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) level 3 in case of the railway domain. This type of technology allows for the localisation of trains and other rail assets, leading to improved safety, reliability, and capacity on railway lines. In this study, we propose a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) support system for railway composition and integrity management using Internet of Things (IoT) technology, particularly applicable for freight transport. Our hardware solution is designed to function under extreme conditions and features a dynamic discovery system that combines range-based and range-free approaches using Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) as a coverage indicator for train positioning. The system was tested in both static and dynamic scenarios and has shown promising results in a real-world use case.