Indian Railways Just Introduced An Anti-Collision Train Protection System & It Looks Promising

 SHEWALI TIWARI    DECEMBER 22, 2016

In a bid to enhance the efficacy of the Indian Railways, the institute has come forward and introduced an anti-collision Train Protection Warning System (TPWS) on the 68 km Chennai-Arakkonam route. As trains plan to become faster and better, it's imperative for the institute to ensure that all those travelling on it are safe and secure. 

Railways has introduced anti-collision Train Protection Warning System (TPWS) on the 68 km Chennai-Arakkonam route.

The safety system will prevent drivers from violating signals and speed restrictions by taking over the controls of the train.

It will also help prevent delays during foggy weather.

Based on level 1 of the European Train Control System, the ministry also plans to install the safety system on the Arakkonam-Jolarpet and Beach-Tambaram-Chengalpet routes at a cost of 200 crore.

The TPWS trial has been found to be fairly successful on the 50 km Chennai-Gummidipoondi section. 

"169 signals on the Chennai-Arakkonam route were linked by laying track-side equipment or beacons that will communicate with signals and trains. "

"Around 82 EMU trains have been fitted with onboard systems. The TPWS will not only warn drivers of obstructions ahead but also help regulate the speed of trains and activate emergency braking automatically in case of failure of the driver to heed warning signs. " 

The project is intended towards optimising train security and passenger safety, along with enabling trains to run faster, leading to shorter travel times and increased line capacity through the Automatic Train Protection (ATP) capability.

The director in charge of Ground Transportation for Thales in India, Raviprakash Karcherla, said, “As passenger safety and train security are of utmost importance, we are proud to have brought the advanced and capable train protection system to India's railway networks through this project. We look forward to further supporting the Indian Railways in its ongoing modernisation plan.“

The move sounds promising after the Kanpur train accident where as many as 142 people were killed and more than 200 injured when 14 coaches of the Indore-Patna Express train derailed.