"Headway Control Device And Headway Control Method
Abstract:
This operation interval control device is provided with: a delay time receiving unit (31) which receives identification information on and a delay time of each train within a jurisdiction range; a target travel time calculation unit (32) which specifies a target train, which is a train to be controlled for traveling, on the basis of the delay time, determines a traveling order of each train in a traveling direction, by using the identification information on each train, specifies a preceding train that travels in front of the target train, and a subsequent train that travels after the target train, according to the traveling order, and calculates a target travel time in a travel section of the target train by using a normal travel time that is set during normal travel in a travel section in which the target train is to travel next, a delay time of the target train, a delay time of the preceding train, and a delay time of the subsequent train; and a target travel time transmission unit (33) which transmits the target travel time to the target train.
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Notices, Deadlines & Correspondence
c/o Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, 7-3, Marunouchi 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
1008310
2. KATSURAGI, Takaya
c/o Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, 7-3, Marunouchi 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
1008310
Specification
FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]
HEADWAY CONTROL DEVICE AND HEADWAY CONTROL METHOD
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION, A CORPORATION ORGANISED
AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF JAPAN, WHOSE ADDRESS IS 7-3,
MARUNOUCHI 2-CHOME, CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO 100-8310, JAPAN
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE
INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.
DESCRIPTION
Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a headway
control device and a headway control method for controlling
train headway.
Background
[0002] In related art, when a train is delayed from a train schedule, traffic control of trains includes controlling the traveling time, the departure time at a
station, and the like of the delayed train so as to reduce or prevent decrease in passenger transport efficiency. Patent Literature 1 teaches a technology of a traffic
control device calculating delay times of a train to be controlled, a train preceding the train to be controlled,
and a train following the train to be controlled on the basis of a train schedule, position information of each train, and the like, and restricting traveling of the train
to be controlled such as stopping the train to be
controlled from leaving a station or lowering the traveling speed of the train to be controlled to reduce or prevent
decrease in passenger transport efficiency. Because a longer headway between specific trains lowers the passenger
transport efficiency, the traffic control device described in Patent Literature 1 restricts traveling of the train to
be controlled in view of the delay times of the preceding train and the following train.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application
Laid-open No. 2017-043265
Summary
Technical Problem
[0004] The control performed by the traffic control
device described in Patent Literature 1, however, can
reduce or prevent decrease in the passenger transport
efficiency but has a problem in that the delay from the
train schedule cannot be recovered.
[0005] The present invention has been made in view of
the above, and an object thereof is to provide a headway
control device capable of recovering a delay from a train
schedule while reducing or preventing decrease in passenger
transport efficiency when a train is delayed.
Solution to Problem
[0006] To solve the aforementioned problems and achieve
the object, a headway control device according to the
present invention includes a delay time receiving unit that
receives identification information and a delay time of
each train within a control range. The headway control
device also includes a target traveling time calculating
unit that identifies a train to be controlled being a train
25 to be subjected to travel control on the basis of the delay
time, determines an order in which trains travel in a
traveling direction by using the identification information
of each of the trains, identifies a preceding train being a
train traveling ahead of the train to be controlled and a
following train being a train traveling behind the train to
be controlled on the basis of the order, and calculates a
target traveling time of the train to be controlled in a travel section in which the train to be controlled travels next by using a normal traveling time set for normal traveling in the travel section, the delay time of the
train to be controlled, the delay time of the preceding train, and the delay time of the following train. The headway control device also includes 5 a target traveling
time transmitting unit that transmits the target traveling time to the train to be controlled.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0007] According to the present invention, the headway control device produces an effect of recovering a delay from a train schedule while reducing or preventing decrease in passenger transport efficiency when a train is delayed.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a traffic control system according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a headway control device according to the
first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a change in the
number of passengers when travel control of a train is not performed in the case where the train is delayed.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating operation of the headway control device according to the first embodiment for performing travel control on a train to be controlled
that is delayed.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where processing circuitry included in the headway control device according to the first embodiment is constituted by
a processor and a memory.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where processing circuitry included in the headway control device according to the first embodiment is constituted by
dedicated hardware.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
configuration of a traffic control system 5 according to a
second embodiment.
Description of Embodiments
[0009] A headway control device and a headway control method according to certain embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference
to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments.
[0010] First Embodiment.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
configuration of a traffic control system 100 according to
a first embodiment of the present invention. The traffic
control system 100 includes trains 14, 15, and 16, a
headway control device 30, and a radio base station 40.
[0011] The trains 14 to 16 each include an on-board
device and an automatic train operation (ATO), which are
not illustrated. The on-board device generates a run-curve
indicating the relation between the position and a target
speed of the subject train on which the on-board device is
mounted on the basis of set traveling times between
stations. The ATO controls the traveling of the subject
train in accordance with the generated run-curve. The
trains 14 to 16 each measures a delay time at departure
from a station each time the trains 14 to 16 leave a
station, and transmits identification information and the
delay time to the headway control device 30. The
identification information is a train number set to be used
during operation of each train. Even trains having the
same train car composition have different train
identification information, that is, different train
numbers from each other when the trains are operated in
different time periods from each other. A delay time is a
time difference between a departure time 5 set in a train
schedule and an actual departure time at a station that
each train having a train number has left. A delay time
may be a time difference between a passage time set for
normal operation and an actual passage time when a train
has passed a specific point, such as a specific wayside
coil. Even when no delay has occurred, the trains 14 to 16
each set a delay time of 0, and transmit the identification
information and the delay time. In FIG. 1, the direction
from left to right in the drawing will be referred to as
the traveling direction of the trains 14 to 16. While only
two stations 25 and 26 are illustrated in FIG. 1, one or
more stations are assumed to be actually present to the
left of the station 25 and to the right of the station 26.
[0012] The radio base station 40 is installed on the
ground, and relays communication between the trains 14 to
and the headway control device 30. The communication
between the radio base station 40 and the headway control
device may be radio communication or cable communication.
The communication between the radio base station 40 and the
trains 14 to 16 is radio communication; however, other
existing communication schemes such as communication using
pickup coils, which are not illustrated, installed on the
trains 14 to 16 and wayside coils installed on the ground,
may be used.
[0013] When any of the trains 14 to 16 within a control
range of the headway control device 30 is delayed, the
headway control device 30 performs control to restore the
operation to that according to the train schedule while
reducing or preventing decrease in passenger transport
efficiency. In the first embodiment, the headway control
device is equipment installed on the ground. The
headway control device 30 may be installed in a base device
or the like, which is not illustrated, or 5 may be installed
as independent equipment, for example.
[0014] A configuration of the headway control device 30
will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating
an example of the configuration of the headway control
device according to the first embodiment. The headway
control device 30 includes a delay time receiving unit 31,
a target traveling time calculating unit 32, and a target
traveling time transmitting unit 33.
[0015] The delay time receiving unit 31 receives
identification information and a delay time of each train
within the control range of the headway control device 30
from the trains within the control range via the radio base
station 40. In FIG. 2, identification information is
referred to as a train ID (identification). The delay time
receiving unit 31 outputs the received identification
information and delay times to target traveling time
calculating unit 32. Note that the delay time receiving
unit 31 may hold the received identification information
and delay time. In this case, upon receiving the
identification information and a delay time transmitted
from each train at departure from a next station, the delay
time receiving unit 31 updates the held delay time. In the
case of holding the delay times of the respective trains,
the delay time receiving unit 31 holds 0 indicating that no
delay has occurred as initial values.
[0016] The target traveling time calculating unit 32
determines a train to be controlled that is a train to be
subjected to travel control on the basis of the delay times
of the respective trains. When a delay time of a train is
equal to or longer than a preset threshold, for example,
the target traveling time calculating unit 32 determines
that this train is delayed, and determines this train as a
train to be controlled. In the example 5 of FIG. 1, the
target traveling time calculating unit 32 determines the
train as a train to be controlled. The target traveling
time calculating unit 32 determines the order in which the
trains travel in the traveling direction of these trains by
using pieces of the identification information of these
trains. Because the identification information, that is,
the train numbers are set in advance in the train schedule,
the target traveling time calculating unit 32 can recognize
the preceding and following relations of the trains, that
is, the order in which the trains travel in the traveling
direction on the basis of the train numbers. The target
traveling time calculating unit 32 identifies a preceding
train, which is a train traveling ahead of the train to be
controlled, and a following train, which is a train
traveling behind the train to be controlled, on the basis
of the determined order. In the example of FIG. 1, the
target traveling time calculating unit 32 identifies the
train 14 as the preceding train, and the train 16 as the
following train. The target traveling time calculating
unit 32 calculates a target traveling time in a travel
section in which the train to be controlled travels next by
using a normal traveling time set for normal traveling in
the travel section, the delay time of the train to be
controlled, the delay time of the preceding train, and the
delay time of the following train. In other words, the
target traveling time calculating unit 32 calculates the
target traveling time by using the normal traveling time
and the delay times of the three trains. The travel
section is a section between a first stop at which the
train to be controlled is stopped and a second stop at
which the train to be controlled stops next. The normal
traveling time is an inter-station traveling time set for
normal traveling between the first stop and 5 the second stop.
Details of a method for calculating the target traveling
time by the target traveling time calculating unit 32 will
be described later. The target traveling time calculating
unit 32 outputs the calculated target traveling time
together with the identification information of the train
to be controlled to the target traveling time transmitting
unit 33.
[0017] The target traveling time transmitting unit 33
transmits the target traveling time calculated by the
target traveling time calculating unit 32 to the train to
be controlled via the radio base station 40 by using the
identification information of the train to be controlled.
The target traveling time transmitting unit 33 may transmit
the target traveling time at preset intervals, or each time
the target traveling time is obtained from the target
traveling time calculating unit 32. Note that the target
traveling time transmitting unit 33 may hold the
identification information and the target traveling time
obtained from the target traveling time calculating unit 32.
In this case, upon obtaining a next target traveling time
for the train to be controlled having the same
identification information from the target traveling time
calculating unit 32, the target traveling time transmitting
unit 33 updates the held target traveling time.
[0018] A change in passenger transport efficiency in a
case where a train is delayed will now be explained. FIG.
is a diagram illustrating a change in the number of
passengers when travel control of a train is not performed
in the case where the train is delayed. FIG. 3 illustrates
an example in which only the delayed train is delayed and
neither of the preceding train and the following train are
not delayed. Typically, the train schedule is set so that
the intervals between trains, that is, the 5 headways are not
significantly different between successive headways in
normal operation state based on the train schedule in which
no delay has occurred. This is because a significant
difference between headways causes the degrees of
crowdedness significantly different among trains, which
increases the time for passengers to get on and off a train
with more passengers and makes the train likely to delay.
In a case where only a delayed train 55 is delayed and a
preceding train 54 and a following train 56 are not delayed
as illustrated in FIG. 3, the headway between the preceding
train 54 and the delayed train 55 becomes too long, which
increases the number of passengers waiting at the station
26 as compared with that before the train delay. In the
meantime, the headway between the following train 56 and
the delayed train 55 becomes too short, which decreases the
number of passengers waiting at the station 25 as compared
with that before the train delay. Upon arriving at the
station 26, the delayed train 55 needs to allow many
passengers to get on, which increases the time for
passengers to get on and off, further increases the delay,
and the train schedule becomes further disrupted. In such
a case, delaying the preceding train 54 can shorten the
headway between the preceding train 54 and the delayed
train 55, and thus can reduce or prevent the train schedule
from becoming further disrupted. At the same time, this
also delays the preceding train 54 that could operate
normally, which can disrupt the train schedule of trains in
a wide range.
[0019] Thus, in the first embodiment, when a train
within the control range is delayed, the headway control
device 30 performs travel control of the delayed train so
as to restore the train schedule while reducing or
preventing the decrease in passenger transport 5 efficiency.
[0020] In the first embodiment, the target traveling
time calculating unit 32 of the headway control device 30
actually determines one or more trains traveling within the
control range of the headway control device 30 as trains to
be controlled, and calculates the target traveling times of
the trains to be controlled. While only the trains 14 to
16 are illustrated in FIG. 1, it is assumed that a train 13,
which is not illustrated, is present to the right of the
train 14, and that a train 17, which is not illustrated, is
present to the left of the train 16. In this case, when
the train 14 is delayed, the target traveling time
calculating unit 32 can determine the train 14 as a train
to be controlled, the train 13 as a preceding train, and
the train 15 as a following train, and calculate the target
traveling time of the train to be controlled, that is, the
train 14. In addition, when the train 16 is delayed, the
target traveling time calculating unit 32 can determine the
train 16 as a train to be controlled, the train 15 as a
preceding train, and the train 17 as a following train, and
calculate the target traveling time of the train to be
controlled, that is, the train 16. When no preceding train
is present, the target traveling time calculating unit 32
may set the delay time of the preceding train to 0. For
example, no preceding train is present for an operation
start train that is the first train. In addition, when no
following train is present, the target traveling time
calculating unit 32 may set the delay time of the following
train to 0. For example, no following train is present for
an operation end train that is the last train. Thus, each
train can be a train to be controlled, a preceding train,
and a following train. The method for calculating the
target traveling time of a train to be controlled by the
target traveling time calculating unit 32 5 is, however, the
same for any combination of a train to be controlled, a
preceding train, and a following train. Thus, an example
of a case where a train to be controlled is the train 15, a
preceding train is the train 14, and a following train is
the train 16 as illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described
below.
[0021] Specific operation of the headway control device
will be explained. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating
operations of the headway control device 30 according to
the first embodiment for performing travel control on a
train to be controlled that is delayed. In the headway
control device 30, the delay time receiving unit 31
receives the identification information and a delay time
from each of the trains 14 to 16 within the control range
of the headway control device 30 via the radio base station
40 (step S11). The delay time receiving unit 31 outputs
the received identification information and delay times to
target traveling time calculating unit 32.
[0022] The target traveling time calculating unit 32
determines whether or not a delay has occurred to the
trains 14 to 16 within the control range on the basis of
the identification information and the delay times obtained
from the delay time receiving unit 31 (step S12). As
described above, when a delay time is equal to or longer
than a preset threshold, the target traveling time
calculating unit 32 determines that a delay has occurred.
The target traveling time calculating unit 32 permits a
delay time shorter than the threshold. If it is determined
that no train is delayed (step S12: No), the target
traveling time calculating unit 32 terminates the
processing. If it is determined that there is a train that
is delayed (step S12: Yes), the target traveling time
calculating unit 32 determines the train 5 determined as
being delayed as a train to be controlled subjected to
travel control. In the example of FIG. 1, the target
traveling time calculating unit 32 determines that the
train 15 is delayed, and determines the train 15 as a train
to be controlled.
[0023] The target traveling time calculating unit 32
determines the order in which the train travel in the
traveling direction of the trains by using the
identification information of each train (step S13). As
illustrated in FIG. 1, the target traveling time
calculating unit 32 determines that the train 14, the train
, and the train 16 are traveling in this order in the
traveling direction. The target traveling time calculating
unit 32 identifies a preceding train traveling ahead of the
train to be controlled, that is, the train 15, and a
following train traveling behind the train to be controlled,
that is, the train 15 on the basis of the determined order
(step S14). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the target traveling
time calculating unit 32 identifies the train 14 as the
preceding train and the train 16 as the following train.
[0024] The target traveling time calculating unit 32
calculates the target traveling time in a travel section in
which the train to be controlled, that is, the train 15
travels next by using formula (1) and formula (2) (step
S15).
[0025] tc(i),s(j)=ttmp(ttmp≥trs(j))
=trs(j)(ttmp
Documents
Application Documents
#
Name
Date
1
202027049327-TRANSLATIOIN OF PRIOIRTY DOCUMENTS ETC. [11-11-2020(online)].pdf
2020-11-11
2
202027049327-STATEMENT OF UNDERTAKING (FORM 3) [11-11-2020(online)].pdf
2020-11-11
3
202027049327-REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION (FORM-18) [11-11-2020(online)].pdf
2020-11-11
4
202027049327-PROOF OF RIGHT [11-11-2020(online)].pdf
2020-11-11
5
202027049327-POWER OF AUTHORITY [11-11-2020(online)].pdf
2020-11-11
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202027049327-FORM 18 [11-11-2020(online)].pdf
2020-11-11
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202027049327-FORM 1 [11-11-2020(online)].pdf
2020-11-11
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202027049327-FIGURE OF ABSTRACT [11-11-2020(online)].jpg
2020-11-11
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202027049327-DRAWINGS [11-11-2020(online)].pdf
2020-11-11
10
202027049327-DECLARATION OF INVENTORSHIP (FORM 5) [11-11-2020(online)].pdf