Skip to main content
European Commission logo
TRIMIS

A railway automatic track warning system based on distributed personal mobile terminals

Project

ALARP - A railway automatic track warning system based on distributed personal mobile terminals


Funding origin:
European
European Union
STRIA Roadmaps:
Smart mobility and services (SMO)
Smart mobility and services
Transport mode:
Rail
Rail
Transport sectors:
Passenger transport
Passenger transport
Freight transport
Freight transport
Project website:
Duration:
Start date: 01/01/2010,
End date: 30/04/2013

Status: Finished
Funding details:
Total cost:
€3 941 877
EU Contribution:
€2 626 610

Overview

Background & policy context:

An innovative efficient Automatic Track Warning System to improve the safety of railway track-side workers.

Objectives:

The objective of ALARP was to study, design and develop an innovative and more efficient Automatic Track Warning System ("ATWS") to improve the safety of railway track-side workers. ALARP will:

  • selectively inform the track-side workers about: (i) approaching trains on the track, (ii) maintenance events on power lines and/or safety equipment on the concerned tracks that may put worker's safety at risk (e.g. being hit by a train or by receiving an electrical shock), (iii) emergencies on the tracks and in nearby tunnels (e.g. tunnel fires, toxic smoke) and (iv)escape routes in case of emergencies.
  • keep track of the operating conditions of devices and the localisation of workers (especially those at risk and those who do not respond).

Methodology:

The ALARP project has been based on the following main components:

  • the track-side Train Presence Alert Device ("TPAD"): this device is able to sense an approaching train on the interested track without interfering with the signalling system;
  • a set of distributed, low-cost, wearable, context-aware, robust, highly reliable, wireless mobile terminals ("MTs") to inform workers about possible approaching trains and/or other events that could put their safety at risk.

Contribute! Submit your project

Do you wish to submit a project or a programme? Head over to the Contribute page, login and follow the process!

Submit