Development of train control simulator

Train operation at higher speeds, on higher-density schedules, has been requested for increasing transportation capability. For this reason, the authors had developed a train control simulator to be used for overall evaluation of signal systems, train operation diagrams, etc. The present simulators have built-in ATC (automatic train control) system, ATCP (pattern) system, and moving block system. Most of Japan´s conventional railway lines, however, use the wayside signal system. So in studying the signal system of conventional railway lines, it is necessary to simulate the wayside signal system and train operation by a driver. Line conditions of conventional railways vary so much that it would be unrealistic to develop a new simulator for each line. A new simulator was developed to solve the above problems. The new simulator has the following features : (1) built-in wayside signal system and train operation by a driver; (2) a high degree of expandability by data representation of various kinds of control conditions, incorporating signal system in patterns; and (3) easy adaptation to different types of lines