Tooltrain’, the solution that adapts the calculation of transport capacity to each operational scenario

CAF SIGNALLING AND COMILLAS PONTIFICAL UNIVERSITY HAVE DEVELOPED THE TOOLTRAIN PROJECT, AN INITIATIVE THAT PROVIDES ADVANCED TOOLS FOR THE CHARACTERISATION AND DIMENSIONING OF HIGH CAPACITY RAILWAY LINES.

The current protection (ERTMS Level 2) and communications (CBTC) systems allow for a significant improvement in the transport capacity of the lines through an operation with shorter headways between trains, always respecting their safety. This, together with the introduction of automatic driving systems (ATO), has facilitated the possibilities of centralised traffic control and optimisation. Considerable energy savings are also achieved, as it enables the implementation of globally coordinated strategies.

In this scenario, Tooltrain responds to the need for new models for calculating transport capacity and line design that allow results to be adapted to each possible new situation in the operation.

The capacity analysis by infrastructure element present on the line (track section, terminal head-end, intermediate head-end, yard bed or bifurcation) makes it possible to identify the limiting sections or nodes on each line in order to analyse them in detail and look for alternative designs, while the dimensioning analysis makes it possible to obtain a cantonment design optimised to the real operating needs of the manager.

Tooltrain, therefore, is a particularly useful solution for both railway managers and suppliers, as it allows obtaining capacity and dimensioning results in an agile and simple way for very diverse operating environments, considering factors such as signalling system, driving mode, rolling stock characteristics and operating patterns.