Track Component Failure Detection Using Data Analytics over existing STDS Track Circuit data

A track circuit is an electrical system that detects the presence of a train on the tracks by passing a current through the rails, which acts as a conductor. In its initial form, track circuits consisted of a battery and a relay with adjustable resistors to set the transmitted signal gain and receiver operating point. Sections of track are electrically isolated by insulated joints in each rail. The transmitted signal travels through a single rail, through the relay at the opposite end, then returning to the transmitter through the other rail. Track circuits follow the closed loop principle, which means that any failure results in the safest state (track occupied) as shown in Figure 1. Because of this, track circuits also provide detection of broken rails.Figure 1: Track circuit behaviour schema Nowadays, there are many types of track circuits. The last state of the art ones provide enhanced performance, integrating sophisticated signalling systems to improve operation and safety. Track-circuit failures have an important impact as they imply a stop of operations and an economic impact for both the railway operator and its customers (1).