Trends in Improving Sensors for Controlling the Condition of Track Sections

Abstract

Various principles can be used to implement intelligent track circuits: voltage regulation of the power supply, compensation methods for switching on rail lines and track circuit devices, receiver sensitivity adjustment, comparison of two electrical parameters of one, two, or more track circuits, as well as a combination of these methods. At present, such improvement of track circuits is becoming relevant, which would make it possible to exclude from the circuits one of the most unreliable elements - an insulating joint, use a modern microprocessor element base in devices for monitoring the state of track sections, thus ensure their reliable operation. This will significantly reduce the costs of building and operating interval control systems and increase train traffic safety. These requirements are met by intelligent track circuits, which consider the current value of the insulation resistance, the rate of change of this resistance, and the longitudinal asymmetry.