India has developed an indigenous railway collision prevention technology called ‘Kavach’, which was tested successfully earlier this month. The system is designed to automatically stop a train when it senses an obstruction on the track, such as another train, a vehicle, or a person. It also provides real-time display of signal aspects, movement authority, target speed, and distance in the locomotive cab.
What is Kavach?
Kavach, which means ‘shield’ in Hindi, is an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system that uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags installed on the track and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) communication between trains and station equipment. It is based on the Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), which was developed by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) of the Indian Railways.
Kavach is meant to provide protection by preventing trains from passing signals at danger (red), exceeding speed limits over turnouts or speed restrictions, and avoiding collisions in station areas or block sections. It also assists the loco pilots by alerting them of the upcoming signals, speed limits, and track conditions.
How does Kavach work?
Kavach consists of three main components: the On-Board Equipment (OBE), the Station Equipment (SE), and the RFID tags. The OBE is installed in the locomotive and communicates with the SE and the RFID tags using UHF signals. The SE is installed at the station interlocking and transmits signalling-related information to the OBE. The RFID tags are fixed on the track at regular intervals and provide the location of the train.
The OBE continuously monitors the speed and position of the train and compares it with the movement authority and target speed received from the SE. If the train is approaching a signal at danger, a speed restriction, or a potential collision, the OBE warns the loco pilot and applies emergency brakes if necessary. The OBE also displays the signal aspects, movement authority, target speed, and distance in the cab.
The SE continuously monitors the status of the signals, points, and track circuits and generates the movement authority and target speed for each train. The SE also communicates with the OBE of other trains in the same section and detects any conflicting movements. The SE can also override the signals and points in case of an emergency.
The RFID tags are passive devices that do not require any power supply. They are encoded with a unique identification number and the distance from the previous tag. The OBE reads the RFID tags as the train passes over them and calculates the distance travelled and the location of the train.
What are the benefits of Kavach?
Kavach is expected to enhance the safety and efficiency of train operations on the Indian Railways. It will reduce the human errors or limitations and equipment failures that can cause train accidents. It will also enable the running of more high-speed and high-density trains on the existing infrastructure, thereby increasing the passenger and freight carrying capacity and revenue of the railways. It will also reduce the maintenance and operational costs of the signalling and telecommunication systems.
Kavach is also an example of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, as it is an indigenous technology developed by the Indian Railways with the participation of eight domestic firms. It is compatible with the existing signalling and telecommunication systems and can be implemented in a phased manner. It is also interoperable with the European Train Control System (ETCS), which is being adopted by some of the high-speed corridors in India.
What is the status of Kavach?
The railway ministry unveiled Kavach on March 5, 2021, and conducted a live demonstration of the system by making two trains move towards each other at full speed on the same track. The system successfully stopped both the trains before they could collide, proving its effectiveness and reliability.
The system has been undergoing trials on a 250 km section in the Secunderabad division of the South Central Railway since 2013. The trials have tested the basic functionality and interoperability of the equipment developed by different vendors. The system has also been certified by the Motive Power Directorate of the RDSO.
The railway ministry has announced that Kavach will be implemented on 1650 route km of the Golden Quadrilateral and Golden Diagonal routes, which account for 52% of the total freight and 58% of the total passenger traffic on the Indian Railways. The ministry has also allocated Rs 1000 crore for the project in the 2022 Union Budget.
Global Approval for Kavach Deployment on Indian Railways
India’s capability to deploy the Kavach automatic train collision avoidance system is set to receive a significant boost. This advancement comes with the approval granted to global companies, Siemens from Germany and Kyosan from Japan, to install this technology on the Indian Railways network.
Accelerated Expansion of Kavach System
The Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has announced a substantial increase in the deployment of the Kavach system. By the financial year 2025-26, the installation is expected to reach 5,000 kilometers per year, a significant rise from the current rate of 1,500 kilometers annually. This was reported by ET.
Progress in Kavach Installation
Tenders for installing the Kavach system over an additional 3,000 kilometers were awarded in December of the previous year. According to updates, 98% of the necessary radio survey on these routes has been completed, and plans are underway to award bids for another 2,500 kilometers.
Complete Coverage on Key Routes by 2025
By March 2025, the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah railway routes, among the busiest in the country, are slated to be fully equipped with the Kavach anti-train collision system. The Railway Minister’s update indicates that 1,659 km of railway lines currently have the system, with an additional 500 km expected to be covered by March of the following year.
Understanding the Kavach System
Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection system, created by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in collaboration with Indian industry. This system, certified with Safety Integrity Level 4 (SIL-4), is designed to prevent train collisions by automatically engaging a train’s brakes if it exceeds designated speed limits and the driver fails to intervene.
Expanded Rights for Kavach Deployment
Previously, only three companies held the rights to deploy Kavach. The recent approvals, however, have expanded this capacity, enabling more firms to install this indigenous open-source technology, as long as they adhere to the specifications provided by Indian Railways.
Future Developments and Plans
Looking forward, Indian Railways is set to enhance the Kavach system with Long-Term Evolution (LTE) technology, encompassing 4G and 5G capabilities. The Railway Minister has mentioned plans to award two tenders in the next fiscal year for upgrading and expanding the Kavach network.
Vande Bharat and Vande Metro Projects
In addition to the advancements in the Kavach system, significant progress is being made in the Vande Bharat and Vande Metro projects, with a focus on enhancing passenger experience and expanding the network’s reach and capabilities.
(Published on November 1, 2023)
(India CSR)
