Journal of Electrical and Power System Engineering

Volume 5 Issue 1

Railway Signalling and Interlocking with Enhance Safety System

using PLC and SCADA
Gaurav Kothari1*, Prof. M.P.S Chawla2*
1
ME Student, 2 Associate Professor
1,2
Department of Electrical Engineering
1,2
Shri G.S Institute of Technology &Science, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
Email: gauravkothari00@gmail.com, mpschawla66@gmail.com

Abstract
The paper illustrates a design of railway signalling and interlocking with enhanced safety
system using PLC and SCADA. The Indian railway is considered as the largest railway
network in Asia, but there are few drawbacks which can be rectified by using railway
signalling and interlocking system. In Indian railways, signalling and interlocking process is
not completely au tomated, but being still managed by railway employees. During train
crossing, there are ample works which are required by human interference, which causes
problems in railway interlocking system like delay, collision, chain pulling, and passenger
security etc. Hence, these problems can be solved by applying PLC and SCADA. The main
task of interlocking is to provide a route request at suitable managing points and signals,
which will not cause any collision. The proposed work are dependent on PLC, which are
capable of performing signalling and interlocking process automatically which can even be
changed, corrected and observed by using SCADA system, resulting in reduction of human
involvement.

Keywords: Interlocking, Signalling, Shunting, PLC, SCADA, RS-232.

INTRODUCTION The second type of control room is larger

In Indian railway signalling system, the
interlocking signal system helps to control
collision condition through management of
tracks at junctions or crossings. Signalling
appliances and tracks management are
collectively referred to as an interlocking
system. The interlocking paths are
connected one point to another point with
point machines and signal which allow
trains during green signals[1,2].
At present in India, there are only two
types of railway interlocking systems
being used. First is route relay interlocking
(RRI) and second is computer based
interlocking (CBI). The interlocking
process is controlled through control
rooms, which are of three types. The first
type of control room includes cabin and
station interlocking, in which station
master and cabin man give signals to the
trains on the specified routes carefully.
than the first type of control room in which
many stations can be seen simultaneously
and controlled. Generally, the third type of
control room is in the Railway Department
which is larger than the other type of
control rooms, where inspection of the
main functioning system of interlocking,
emergency arrangement and new facility is
maintained[14,16,21,25].
LITERATURE SURVEY
This section is dedicated to the works done
in this area in the post and what is the
current scenario.
The main purpose of the paper [1] was to
automate the railway interlocking method.
The entire work here is dependent on PLC.
All the point machines, signals and railway
gate are controlled by the output of PLC.
SCADA has been used here to observe and
control the complete work together.

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 Journal of Electrical and Power System Engineering
The paper [2] describes about the railway
station control. When there is one or more
than one train is waiting on the station, the
situation at that time has been considered
here. Crack detection and automatic
railway gate system have been used with
railway interlocking.
The main purpose of the paper [3] was
towards passenger safety. When the train
goes inside a cave, then there should be
automatic light generation at that time. If
any person is inside the cave or the train
was stopped in the cave for some reason,
automatic light has been used for the
safety of the passengers in that situation.
The railway system is being automated in
the paper [4]. It has the status of railway
interlocking, signalling, traffic gate control
and light signal, track crack, anti-collision,
changing track.
EXISTING SYSTEMS
In railway signalling, an interlocking
system consists of signal equipment that
prevents opposing movements through
system of tracks such as junctions or
Figure 1: Railway interlocking panel Diagram of RRI system [6].
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Volume 5 Issue 1
crossings. The signalling equipments and
tracks are referred to as an interlocking
plant. An interlocking is designed, so that
it is improbable to display a signal to
proceed unless the route to be used is
proven to be safe[23,24].
In general, still only two types of
interlocking in Indian Railways such as
Route relay interlocking (RRI) or
Computer based interlocking (CBI) are
being used.
Route Relay Interlocking (Rri)
Inside the Indian Railways, Panel
Interlocking (PI) is normally used for
small stations. Within this arrangement,
the points and signals are determined by
the switches on the panel. Route relay
interlocking (RRI) system is generally
applied to large and busy stations. There
are complex networks of trains, according
to which all the processes are being
handled very carefully. The control room
handles the arrival and departure of trains
and station master has set the point
machine and signals which give a proper
track to the train [5, 19].
 Journal of Electrical and Power System Engineering
Computer Based Interlocking (Cbi) or
Solid State Interlocking
An Interlocking System consist of
Electronics system replacing traditional
Mechanical Levers and Electro mechanical
relays is called as Solid state Interlocking
(SSI) or Computer based interlocking
system. Rules and control methods used in
the route relay interlocking system are also
used in computer based interlocking
systems. The relays used to form the logic
circuits in route relay interlocking is
replaced by software variables. The field
inputs are collected by digital input cards
and outputs are given using digital output
cards. This method is done by a processor
Figure 2: Railway interlocking panel Diagram of CBI system[8].
PROPOSED SYSTEM
The main purpose of the proposed system
is to automate the train scheduling by
using PLC. To analyze and observe the
real time location of the trains, SCADA
system is being used. This makes
interlocking process not only accurate and
fast, but also there will be no need to
create a control room at all stations.
According to this project, four tasks
automatically can be performed, such as:
1) Train can be moved from the first stop
to last stop by PLC and it can control
all interlocking automatically with
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Volume 5 Issue 1
where the virtual relays (Software
Variables) are evaluated using the
Interlocking equations, which is in
digitized form either as algorithms or state
charts in the processor memory[7,15].
Solid state interlocking are required to
replace the existing route relay
interlocking and Panel Interlocking
Systems. Since, the traditional systems are
very expensive and difficult to maintain as
the huge number of relays and mechanical
levers are used. Solid state interlocking are
a better solution to the older systems, since
it is easy to maintain as well the costing
only is 1/4th cost of route relay
interlocking or panel interlocking[18,20]
preference to first- superfast
train>passenger train>goods train.
2) It can be a control platform
management by self.
3) It can manage the outer signals and
crossing work easily.
4) Many trains are also used for the
shunting work which can be done by
PLC easily.
Working principle
Generally even today, station master and
cabin man handle the interlocking and
 Journal of Electrical and Power System Engineering
Volume 5 Issue 1

signalling work of the train. But even after
having complete arrangement done by
railway, there is lot of shortcomings in the
trains, due to which the railways and the
passengers have to face many problems.
According to the proposed system, the
station master has to only give input once,
which will go to the PLC, after which the
PLC gives its output according to the timer
circuit, and in this way complete task can
be done without too much human
interference.

Figure 3: Block diagram of the system

METHODOLOGY Ujjain from Indore, where 4 trains operate

The methodology adopted is discussed in a systematic automatic interlocking
below. system. They will run according to PLC
and SCADA and it’s railway map and
Here, is the railway track of Maxi via properties are given below.

Figure 4: Railway map Indore to Ujjain [9]

Properties distance from one station to the next

1) According to the project, the equal
distance between all the stations is
considered. Mainly three trains will
run here with speed difference but
train's length will be equal.
2) As long as the passenger train is at a
station and at the same time, the goods
train and superfast train will be at one
and a half times distance.
3) It means that the ratio will be -
passenger 2: 3 goods train / superfast
train.

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Train arrival and departure schedule
In the runtime window, it can be
visualized that four trains are considered
which will run as follows:
The passenger train will depart from
indore to Ujjain, at the same time, the
Goods train depart from maksi to indore
via dewas. After that, when the passenger
train arrives to mangalya gaon, the goods
train reaches dewas at the same time.

Figure 5: Runtime window Indore to Ujjain.

When the passenger train crosses the barlai station, then a superfast train is a departure from
indore to maksi via ujjain.

Figure 6: Runtime window Indore to Ujjain.

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When the superfast train arrives at Ujjain's outer, then the 4th train will depart to Nagda side.

Figure 7: Runtime window Indore to Ujjain.

PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC and 6 outputs channel. PLC is connected

CONTROLLER
Allen Bradley Micrologix 1000 PLC has
been used in this project. This
instrument capable to run program and
controls the input and output of the
model. It has 220V AC and 24V DC
power supply terminal with 10 inputs
to CPU by RS-232 communication
cable. The desired programs are
developed with the help of RS Logix
500 software and the program
downloaded in PLC through cable
which provides facility to observe trains
in running condition visually[10].

Figure 8: Allen Bradley Micrologix 1000 PLC[17] Figure 9: Block diagram of A.B. PLC[10]

A railway map from Indore to Ujjain with four indicators have been installed, which
PLC is designed, in which five stations will indicate train's direction according to
have been shown. At the second station, the point machine of that station.

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Figure 10: This map’s indicators are denoted to a point machine of mangliya gaon station.

Figure 11: Barlai station point machine using by PLC. Figure 12: Point machine on the railway track [11]

SUPERVISORY CONTROL AND DATA main programs InTouch Application

ACQUISITION SYSTEM (SCADA)
SCADA InTouch is visualization software
and has powerful graphical HMI for
automation, process control and supervisory
monitoring. It is easy to use, object oriented
programming graphics and flexible
architectures can be developed. User can
quickly create application, increasing
productivity and efficiency in this software. It
gives the graphical representation of real time
industrial process. “Intouch” contains three
Manager, Window Maker and Window
Viewer[12,13].
Window Maker is the development software,
where object-oriented graphics is used to
create animation on display. This display
window can connected to industrial I/P and
O/P system and other application. Window
Viewer is the runtime and it is used to display
the graphic windows created in Window
Maker[12, 22].

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Figure 13: Window maker.

Figure 14: window viewer or runtime window.

SIMULATION RESULTS in RS logix 500 software. This software

Ladder logic is the main programming of provides various logic systems which
PLC. According to this programming, a helps to design the circuit. In this project,
circuit diagram can be made which interlocking system of one station
programs the PLC. PLC's program is made designed with point machines and timers.

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Figure 15: Ladder logic program of PLC

With the help of SCADA Intouch software desired positions. Trains can be controlled
a railway tracks, stations, trains and through the sliders and these sliders are
signals can be designed according to the controlled by PLC program.

Figure 16: Runtime window and Hardware

Developed a significant railway passenger train and goods train [between

interlocking system, the interlocking Mangliya gaon and Barlai]
system of trains into 5 conditions has been 1) Initially, a passenger train arrives from
splitted. Indore to Ujjain via Dewas and a goods train
Condition I:- To avoid the collision of arrives from Maksi to Indore via Dewas.

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Figure 17: Runtime window with PLC indicator

After some time, both trains stand in departs from Mangliya gaon, then at the
face to face direction on single line same time, goods train departs from
same track. When the passenger train Dewas station.

Figure 18: Runtime window

If the both trains departs at the same time, according to 2:3 ratio rule, the collision is possible.

Figure 19: Collision stage.

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To avoid an accident, automated interlocking program on a PLC that applies to Barlai station
is created.

Figure 20: Control a collision situation

Condition II:- To avoid the collision of to Ujjain and at the same time, a superfast
superfast train and goods train train also departs from Indore to Maksi via
[between Lakshmibai nagar and Ujjain. Goods train is also departs at a
Mangliya gaon] same time from Barlai.
1) Passenger train now departs from Barlai

Figure 21: Runtime window with PLC indicator

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If there is a single track, according to 2:3 ratio rule, then both the trains will collide after
Lakshmibai nagar or even before Mangliya gaon.

Figure 22: Collision stage.

To avoid an accident, automated interlocking program on a PLC that applies to Mangliya

gaon station is created.

Figure 23: Control a collision situation.

When superfast train departs to Mangliya
gaon station, then goods train is free for
arrival to the next station. Hence,
according to the program, when we
provide a proper signal to goods train then
they will be go to next stop.
Condition III:- To avoid the collision of
superfast train and passenger train
[between Vikram nagar and Ujjain]
Now superfast train and passenger train
both are continuously moving in the same
direction, with passenger train being ahead
from the superfast train.

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Figure 24: Runtime window

According to the 2:3 ratio rule, both at the same time, by the same track,
trains (superfast and passenger) are from the same direction, which is not
arriving at Ujjain the same time. Here, possible, and possibility of collision
the two trains arrive at the same station, condition is there.

Figure 25: Collision stage.

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From security view point, the passenger train in Vikram Nagar is stopped and the Goods train
get the signal which is going to the next station.

Figure 26: Runtime window with PLC indicator

Condition IV:- This situation shows a
different arrangement such as outer,
crossing and station management
[between Vikram nagar and Ujjain].
1) There is a train standing at Ujjain's
station from beginning since quite long
time. According to the arrangement, this
train is standing on platform number 2 and
superfast train is arriving on the same
platform.
2) According to the arrangement until this
train does not departs from Ujjain, till then
back side trains (superfast) has to stand on
the outer path only.

Figure 27: Control a collision situation using with outer signal situation.

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When the train is departed from Ujjain, then superfast train has been given an arrival signal
and it can arrive to platform number 2 at Ujjain.

Figure 28: Station Management.

In this image shown in fig. 29, where passenger train departed from Vikram
the superfast train is standing on nagar station and goods train arrives to
platform number 2 and at a same time Indore.

Figure 29: Signalling process and hardware design

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Condition V:- Shunting Process. direction has to be changed, as it has to

Now superfast train is standing on go to the Maksi station direction.
platform number 2 at Ujjain, whose

Figure 30: Runtime window with PLC indicator

It is a opposite direction of train and in this direction of the train, for which the train is
situation, shunting process is to be standing on platform for some extra time.
performed. In this process, the train engine After that superfast train departs from
has to be connected in the opposite Ujjain to Maksi.

Figure 31: Window viewer

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CONCLUSION
This paper presented a design of railway
interlocking and signalling system by PLC
and being monitored by SCADA. Railway
is a most useful way of travelling in India,
where the railway employees control the
signal and interlocking system. There is
not much significant improvement even
after development of RRI and CBI system.
The proposed management of the Trains in
this paper can be automated by PLC,
which makes the interlocking system
easier. The proposed system is capable to
reduce the problems like collision, delay in
trains, outer waiting and crossing. Hence,
these arrangements make the railway
system better as well as safer. The
automated railway signalling and
interlocking system design will be an
alternative source of information in order
to make suitable hardware in railways.
According to this method, the human
involvement (Station master\ Cabin man
etc.) can be reduced and can save the train
from being getting late.
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