Context: The recent railway accident in Darjeeling, West Bengal has highlighted the need for installation of the KAVACH system to prevent such tragedies.
What is KAVACH?
- KAVACH is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection System (ATPS) by the Research Design and Standards Organisation in collaboration with Indian industry.
- It is a state-of-the-art electronic system with Safety Integrity Level-4 standards with the probability of an error being one in 10,000 years.
Features of KAVACH:
- It gives information to the locopilots on the permissible speeds to be maintained and prevents the collision between two locomotives equipped with functional KAVACH systems.
- It activates the train’s braking system automatically if the driver fails to control the train as per speed restrictions.
- If a red signal is jumped (which marks danger) and two trains come face to face on the same line, the technology automatically takes over and applies sudden brakes.
- Additionally, the hooter activates by itself when approaching a level crossing which serves as a big boon to loco-pilots during fog conditions when visibility is low.
- The system also relays SoS messages during emergency situations. An added feature is the centralised live monitoring of train movements through the Network Monitor System.
How does KAVACH work on Railway Systems?
- Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) helps in two-way communication between the station master and loco-pilot to convey any emergency message, using GPS and RFID technology.
- GPS Integration:
- KAVACH relies on GPS to continuously track the location and speed of trains. The onboard unit in each train receives GPS signals, which are used to determine the train's precise position, direction, and speed.
- This real-time location data is then communicated to the central control system and other trackside equipment.
- RFID Implementation:
- A set of electronic devices and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) devices are installed in locomotives, in the signalling system as well as the tracks.
- As the train passes over these RFID tags, the onboard RFID reader in the train detects the tag and communicates the information to the onboard unit.
- They connect using ultra-high radio frequencies to control the brakes of trains and also alert drivers, all based on the logic programmed into them.
- Hence, it allows KAVACH to accurately identify the train's location and trigger the appropriate safety actions, such as automatic braking, if necessary.
- GPS Integration:
Integrated Functionality:
- The combination of GPS and RFID technologies in KAVACH provides a comprehensive system for train tracking, collision avoidance, and overall railway safety.
- The GPS data gives a broad, continuous overview of the train's position and movement, while the RFID tags offer precise location references at specific points along the track.