200204 – Everist – Phoenix Train Control

The US&S Phoenix Train Control System (TCS) is a typical example of a “new generation” train control system. It provides features expected of a modern system such as “point and click” Graphical User Interface (GUI), integrated train description facilities, blocking facilities, data driven design facilities, use of “commercial off the shelf” (COTS) operating systems and hardware, high reliability and availability through redundancy and much more.

This paper provides an overview of the Phoenix TCS by outlining the philosophy behind the design of the system, the features provided and the architecture of the system. Also considered is the application of the system in the Australian context, some of the resulting challenges faced and lessons learnt, and finally the future directions of the Phoenix TCS and “new generation” train control systems in general are suggested.