In response to the growing demand for rail transport, next-generation signalling systems are increasingly investigated by the railway community. In particular, the concept of Virtual Coupling (VC) is progressively gaining ground thanks to its potential ability to reduce safe train separation to less than an absolute braking distance. That enables trains to move synchronously in a vehicle-to-vehicle radio-connected convoy. One of the major concerns associated with this concept is the safe and effective control of trains in a convoy when considering varying train resistances and risk factors due to, e.g., sudden degradation in the train and communication performance. This paper develops a novel Predictive Artificial Potential Field (PAPF) approach for safe and effective real-time train control under realistic VC operations. The proposed approach uses a realistic homogeneous strip model of train motion. Moreover, it incorporates a dynamically changing safety margin to take into account risk factor occurrences, such as delays in train control and communication, or sudden emergency braking applications. A simulation-based assessment of the developed method is performed for a high-speed rail corridor in China. Results show that the proposed PAPF control algorithm effectively supervises the safe train separation, preventing activation of emergency brakes even when risk events occur. The method contributes to advancing the state of the art on VC train control.

In response to the escalating demand for rail transport, the concept of Virtual Coupling (VC) train operations is progressively gaining ground within the railway sector. The concept of VC aims at reducing safe train separation to less than the absolute braking distance by letting trains move synchronously in radio-connected convoys. One of the major concerns associated with VC is ensuring safe train separation considering realistic risk factors, such as heterogeneous train braking performances and varying track conditions. To address such a safe train separation problem under VC, this paper proposes a novel train control model based on the Artificial Potential Field (APF) method to safely supervise the complete braking process of trains moving in a VC convoy. The proposed model uses a homogeneous strip representation of train length and a Dynamic Safety Margin (DSM) to take into account accurate train dynamics as well as potential risk factors, due to different train acceleration/braking rates, communication delays, unexpected emergency train braking applications, and position measurement errors. The method has been applied to the case of a high-speed line in China. Results show that the APF-based control method can effectively adapt to real-time variations in train dynamics and the operational environment to safely supervise the complete train braking process and avoid collisions even in the case of unplanned emergency braking applications. The proposed APF-based approach shows promising real-time performance which can further contribute to advancing the state of the art on safe train control under VC signalling.