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 2005 - March - Barnard - TASS - ERTMS Tilt Train Control |
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Bob Barnard BSc CEng FlEE FlRSEALSTOM Transport Ltd (UK)In September 2004, Britain's Virgin Trains introduced radical new timetables for their West Coast and Cross Country services, with more frequent services and significantly reduced journey times. This was made possible by the use of 200kmlh tilting operation by Virgin's fleets of electric and diesel trains. To mitigate the additional risks that these tilting trains potentially introduced to the rail network, continuous speed supervision and safe switch onloff of tilt was provided by the TASS (Tilt Authorisation and Speed Supervision) system. TASS was developed by ALSTOM Transport as part of its Virgin Pendolino train contract, with on-board equipment also supplied for the Bombardier Super Voyager diesel trains. TASS uses ERTMS-based onboard equipment to carry out the required functions according to telegrams received from passive Eurobalises on the track. The 194 sets of on-board equipment and 433 Eurobalises so far installed are enabling around 300,000 kmlweek of tilting operation, giving very rapid experience of the performance of ERTMS equipment in full commercial service. |
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