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Inside Our New Interlocking Simulator By Muhamad Fahruroji
I want to share one of our recent engineering projects: a train interlocking simulator designed to replicate the behavior of real-world railway signaling systems in Indonesia. Indonesia’s railway network relies on a variety of signaling technologies. Our simulator is uniquely configured to replicate the behavior of three of the most widely used electronic interlocking systems in the country. This dummy station is designed to simulate three interlocking systems commonly used across the country: Himax (by Hima), S7400 (by Siemens), and K5B (by Kyosan).
Picture 1. Interlocking System
This isn’t just a model train set, it’s a useful tool designed to mimic the complex logic and behavior of real-world railway signaling systems. This simulator offers a controlled environment for developing interlocking logic, as well as providing operator and maintenance training. The CTC (Centralized Traffic Control) is displayed on a large wall screen. It collects data from all three stations and can both control and monitor them. The CTC functions as the command center.
Picure 2. Wall display and Operator VDU (Video Display Unit)
Interface Block Simulation for IO Exchange Between Stations
Picture 3. Schematic Diagram
This simulator is described in the diagram above. We might be wondering how one station can communicate with an adjacent station, especially when the interlocking systems use different technologies. The interface block module collects the input/output (IO) exchange between adjacent stations. To authorize a train’s departure to the next station, the appropriate IO must be exchanged to set the aspect signal to green or yellow.
Basically, this data exchange includes 3 IO for:
● Arrow blocks: The direction and route a train is taking. The block arrow will light up when a train departs for the next station.
● Track blocks: The occupancy status of a section of track. Typically, a track block is measured from the departure signal of station A to the entry signal of station B.
● Signal proving: Verification of signal LED condition. Proofing is a method used to ensure that the LED signal is still working properly and is deemed good enough to be seen by the driver.
Picture 4. IO exchange to the departing train
The I/O block functions as a permissive tool, allowing a train to depart from one station and proceed to another. As an example, when a train is about to depart from station A to station B, the requirements are: no train along the track block, no incoming arrow from station B (meaning the block arrow is not lit), and the entry signal of station B is in a healthy condition (signal proving). All bits with the specified variable names AXX-ATP-DI, AXX-WFLR-DI, and AXX-ECR-DI must have a value of ‘1’ for the train to be declared safe to depart.
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