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“Kavach” Automatic Train Protection System

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Science & Technology
  • Published
    7th Mar, 2022

Recently, the Indian Railways tested the 'Kavach'-Automatic Train Protection System by making two trains move towards each other at full speed.

Context

Recently, the Indian Railways tested the 'Kavach'-Automatic Train Protection System by making two trains move towards each other at full speed.

  • Kavach, this indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection System is earmarked for aggressive rollout on 2,000 km in 2022-23, according the Budget proposals.

What is Kavach?

  • It is India’s very own automatic protection system in development since 2012, under the name Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), which got rechristened Kavach or “armour”.
  • Simply put, it is a set of electronic devices and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) devices installed in locomotives, in the signalling system as well the tracks.
  • They connect to each other using ultra high radio frequencies to control the brakes of trains and also alert drivers, all based on the logic programmed into them.
    • While now Kavach uses Ultra High Frequency, work is on to make it compatible with 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology and make the product for global markets.
  • In the new avatar, India wants to position Kavach as an exportable system, a cheaper alternative to the European systems in vogue across the world.
  • So far, Kavach has been deployed on over 1,098 km and 65 locomotives in ongoing projects of the South Central Railway.
    • In future it will be implemented on 3000 km of the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah corridors where the tracks and systems are being upgraded to host a top speed of 160 kmph.

Key-features

  • One of its features is that by continuously refreshing the movement information of a train, it is able to send out triggers when a loco pilot jumps signal, called Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD).
  • The devices also continuously relay the signals ahead to the locomotive, making it useful for loco pilots in low visibility, especially during dense fog.
  • It includes the key elements from already existing, and tried and tested systems like the European Train Protection and Warning System, and the indigenous Anti Collison Device.
  • It will also carry features of the high-tech European Train Control System Level-2 in future.
  • The current form of Kavach adheres to the highest level of safety and reliability standard called Safety Integrity Level 4.
    • SIL comes from two voluntary standards used by plant owners/operators to quantify safety performance requirements for hazardous operations.
    • There are four SIL Levels (1-4). A higher SIL Level means a greater process hazard and a higher level of protection required.
  • Work is on to make the system such that it can be compatible with other already installed systems globally.

Significance

  • The Kavach system will help prevent accidents on rail tracks like collision of trains.
    • Once the system is activated, all trains within a 5-km range will halt to provide protection for trains on adjacent tracks.
      • Currently, the loco-pilots or assistant loco-pilots have to look out for caution signs and signals.
  • It will only cost Rs 50 lakh per kilometer to operate in comparison to about Rs 2 crore worldwide.
  • It will also include stationary equipment to gather signalling inputs and relay them to a central system to enable seamless communication with the train crew and stations.

Verifying, please be patient.

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