The revolution of train control system in Japan

Abstract

The following report introduces train control systems applied in railway lines in Japan. The report also shows that train control systems have been developed and these are classified four levels from "Level 0" to "Level 3". We call these train control systems "East Japan Train Control system" (EJTC). "Level 0" system, the Automatic Train Stop device (ATS-S), was introduced into Japanese National Railways (JNR) to prevent train collision. This system has been replacing with Pattern type ATS (ATS-P); "Level 1" system. ATS-P was developed to eliminate the weaknesses of the ATS-S. Recent remarkable progress in the field of information technology makes possible a new train control system where train itself detects its location and communicates with other trains through radio transmission. Therefore, we have been developing the "Level 3" train control system called ATACS (Advanced Train Administration and Communications System). ATACS is the new train control system using information technology and ADS technology. ATACS prototype system is testing at Senseki Line in Tohoku district for practical use.