ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan Railways has developed two indigenous IT-based solutions to be finalized and installed by December 2017 in order to reduce train accidents and help improve safety of passengers.
Taking to the state-run news agency on Wednesday, an official in the Ministry of Railway said that two indigenous IT-based solutions (Train Approaching Warning System at Level Crossing’ (TAWC) and ‘Train Collision Avoiding System’ (TCAS) have been finalized and five prototypes will be installed at the busiest level crossings by December this year to check the new signaling system.
The official said that the TAWC will consist of sensors on both sides of a level crossing at the distance of almost three kilometers. He said that sensors will detect the movement of train.
“There are dual sensors which will provide redundancy and compensation for variation in depth,” he said.
The official said that sirens will also be installed to alert pedestrians and vehicle drivers.
“This set-up is solar-powered and will have no wires. The clearance to passer-by will only be given after the train has passed. This warning system will also alert pedestrians and cyclists of approaching trains,” he said.
The Pakistan Railways official said that this system would however not supersede the responsibility of locomotive drivers and gatemen.
“It will provide audio-visual warning signals to vehicles and pedestrians. There will be seven inches high brightness display for driver’s information,” he said.
The official said that the TCAS system will reduce the risk of collision of trains due to human error and equipment failure.
“This system will act as a watchdog and in this system radars will be used in trains so that trains can identify each other,” he said.
The official said that it is a GPS-based system, which will tell the drivers about the time, location, speed and course of travel of the approaching trains that can collide. It will be fitted in locomotives and brake vans.
“As a result, there will be long-range wireless communication between units. There will also be warning lights,” he said.
