TPL C19- Mathematical methods for greater signalling system safety

Researchers: Anders Lindahl (Project manager), Dimitris Rizopoulos (PhD student), Erik Jenelius, Nils Olsson and Olov Lindfeldt

Source of Funding: Trafikverket (Swedish Transport Administration)/ S2R

The project is designed to study using mathematical methods for quality assurance of current and future rail
traffic in various ways. New mathematical methods must be developed and implemented to maintain current railway operational safety levels even with future development of
various traffic concepts.

For example, this can be applied to development of signal boxes for signal systems control to ensure no safety critical conditions arise from using formal methods based on mathematical methods to specify, develop, and verify software. This would be for the purpose of increasing confidence in system reliability and correctness, and to reduce errors. Formal verification is through software tools performing automatic mathematical testing of the system. This includes for development of future traffic solutions using ‘virtual coupling of trains,’ where trains are not physically coupled but are run in tandem – known as platooning. Working with different distances between two trains, that is their headway (including coupling and uncoupling at speed), the virtually coupled train can be used to help increase flexibility and rail capacity.