Video featuring BNSF's ETMS Positive Train Control System

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

There is a video on this webpage showing BNSF’s ETMS train Control System and how it will work.

ETMS video

Scroll Down the webpage to find the video.

2

Some quick comments from a single viewing:

  • “ETMS” = BNSF’s “Electronic Train Management System”;

  • Nothing indicates when made;

  • About 6 mins. 19 secs. long - seemed to load pretty quick & play smoothly, though;

  • Pretty informative, unless you’re already an expert in this subject;

  • Seems to be largely GPS and on-board computer- and data-based - nothing about electronic track “tags” for locations;

  • About 1/2 graphics & 1/2 video, mainly of a locomotive cab & M-O-W crew;

  • Real-life example was the M-O-W crew (only), not another train;

  • Quote from Mark Schulze at the end - something like “this can make a meaningful impact” - might not have been the best choice of word, in the circumstances;

  • Worth viewing.

  • Paul North.

3

Interesting, but will it work in the real world?

Thanks for the link.[8D]

4

Has been working in the real world since 2004, on BNSF’s Beardstown Sub in Illinois. The same system is now being installed on two different lines on UP, an additional BNSF line, METRA’s Rock Island line, one foreign rail system, and will be the same system deployed on almost the entire UP, BNSF, NS, CSX, and Metra systems, as well as probably most of the other commuter authorities with trackage rights on any of these four Class 1 systems. UP and NS are going further than BNSF and making this into a stand-alone system called VTMS on UP and OTC on NS. It’s the identical hardware and software but a more complex permitting and implementation requirement.

RWM

5

BNSF has chosen in the implementations depicted in this program to not use track tags. Other installations with virtually identical hardware and software have.

The video dates to early 2005 or late 2004.

RWM

6

Very interesting video.

RWM, a few questions, if you dont mind. Do you know why Beardstown sub was selected? Was that the Beardstown terminal in the video? It looked like it. Did Beardstown’s selection have anything to do with the non signaled aspect of most of the line? Does the system eliminate the need for verbal communication of track warrents? There is considerable coal tonnage on the line, was that a consideration in the decision to use that line as a test?

What type of return on investment was shown with the project as far as reduction in costs? Is the hardware in the locomotives portable or stationary? If stationary, were the locomotives captive to that sub?

Other than safety and communications (major factors) what other benefits are there with the system? (such as increased capacity, lower operating costs, etc). Are there any web based reports thru the STB or other agencies on this product?

It sure looks like a winner.

Oh, will this eliminate or reduce the radio communication between trains and dispatchers?

Thanks,

ed

7

It had a variety of Methods of Operation (it’s both TWC and CTC), a variety of train types, easy access for vendors, contractors, and BNSF, and its traffic is not highly time-sensitive. This made it ideal for the extensive testing required by the FRA to validate the system.

Yes.

No, the fact that it had some CTC was important. BNSF wanted to validate it both in signaled and in dark territory.

Not in BNSF’s implementation, where ETMS is only an overlay on conventional Methods of Operation such as TWC and CTC. As a stand-alone system, the same hardware/software package can eliminate verbal transmission of TWC authorities, and other users have or will configure it in that manner. It’s up to the user.

Not that I am aware of.

I do not know if an ROI calculation was performed on this project or what cost reduction if any has been realized on this particular installation.

The hardware is permanently installed for all practical purposes. The locomotives were kept captive to that line, more or less, for the purposes o

8

Would this system prevent an open switch type of accident in unsignalled territory?

This is the type of accident which occured on NS in South Carolina several years ago when a local crew left the switch open after parking their train.

ed

9

“Prevent” is a word like “bullet-proof glass”. That said, open-switch protection in dark territory is precisely one of the design criteria of a PTC system under HR2095. The safeguard is really fairly simple. A point detector is installed on the switch, with a radio transmitter to broadcast the position of the switch. When the switch is opened or closed, it transmits that information to the PTC server, and if open an authority can’t be created over it except at restricted speed. In the Wabtec system, the locomotive also queries each switch as it approaches to confirm the switch’s position on a peer-to-peer basis.

This is simple but not cheap; the hardware for each turnout is in the $20-40K range installed, presuming a utility drop is easy to come by. If not, add more for solar panels.

RWM