DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW ELECTRONIC BLOCKING SYSTEM

Since 1986 an electronic blocking system has been installed on 18 low traffic lines in Japan. However, a much cheaper system with simple structure is required which is applicable to less busy traffic lines with a total length of 1700 km. This paper presents a new electronic blocking system. Blocking operation and train detection are done by using an optical-wireless transmission. Safety is ensured by fail-safe microcomputer, and error detection/diagnosis mechanism. The cost will be reduced by 50 percent compared with that of existing system.