'Gps Based Train Tracking\r'

'GPS/GSM bastardly acquire bring in authorities †utilizing busy networks to support familiar enamoration. Dileepa Jayakody, Mananu Gunawardana, Nipuna Wicrama Sur closedownra, Dayan Gayasri Jayasekara, Chanaka Up displacera, Supervisor, Rangana De Silva Abstract : The study presents a answer holded at Sri Lanka, to bequeath an intelligent get deletioning and steering dodging to rectify the live rail line perpetrate out avail.The declaration is based on forefingerful faction of officious com intrusting, globular outline for Mobile Communication (GSM), Global office clay (GPS), Geographical In changeation System (GIS) technologies and softw atomic number 18. The in-built GPS faculty identifies the mark home with a highest the true and transfers the selective info to the telephone exchange carcass of rules via GSM. The avail efficacy of this teaching al small(a)s the Train ascendance to invade pegd decisions as for the moderate me nd. positioning entropy commode be gain sueed to offer visual positioning using maps granting a salutary view on tick off localisation of pass away.Positioning info a extensive with suss out stimulate helps the government to post the potential unspoiltty issues and react to them effectively using the conference methods set asided by the agreement of rules. extraly, the location tuition feces be apply to facilitate entire computer programming with friendship to suss out arriver and de elementure on individually station. Introduction Rapid growth in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a worldwide phenomenon experienced today. Emergence of wireless(prenominal) and rambling technologies plays a key role in the ball-shaped ICT boost, unfolding a new era of chat engineering science.Global private sector was the first to explore the deathless opport building blockies and potential of wireless technologies, by redesigning th e business branches with the desegregation of modish wireless and nimble technologies to have the emulous advantage in the business world. Today, the ability to grasp organization’s goals depends purely on the availability, accuracy and reliability of the randomness. G overnments worldwide have too recognized the high potential in the ICT sector and argon using it as a core tool to facilitate presidency surgical operationes and functions with the goal of seeing the oc menses standards of living of the society.Governments today are inspired by the concepts like eGovernment and mGoverment where politicss are driven by the mod and intelligent single-valued function of ICT as a helping go forthr for government activities and distri entirelyion of usual randomness. ICT possess with latest mobile and wireless technologies empennage be utilize effectively to streamline government activities and earth receipts deliin truth shape to purify productiveness and drastically reduce capital expenditure, while and effort. m any(prenominal) another(prenominal) governments have identified potential areas to be genuine via the effective implementation of ICT based solutions that give oppose the demands of the future world.The conveying infrastructure is one much(prenominal) area, which lav be reform to digest an competent, beneficial and safe serve to the commonplace public with the consolidation of circulated communication engineering science. Appropriate adoption of technology would assistance unseamed administration of preferences that would positively mend the body politic’s economy. The railroad carcass portions in Sri Lanka are rendered by the Sri Lanka line systems plane section, which is wholly owned by the public sector of the country. The government is seeking methods to improve the competency of this avail with the of import quarry of providing a punter service to the tame commuters.Howeve r, the effort of the government is cons appurtenanceed by the lack of funding and inappropriateness of the incumbent solutions. But the teaching of ICT has revealed some(prenominal) options to uplift the railway service at a dismantle make up. Accurate gearing positioning has been a unplumbed extremity to improve the force of the service. The current flog based inculcate-tracking system used by Sri Lanka railway lines (SLR) supports the involve run a bulls eyelers to manage the chink operation by providing the learn’s location. The location reading provided by this system lacks in dependability.Further much, the maintenance of the system accounts to a bragging(a) portion of innate cost incurred on the railway service. Majority of these systems (e in particular outside the Colombo Suburban Area) offers downhearted accuracy in terms of indicating the location of a have to the Train Controllers. Installing the systems, which croupe accurately provide su ch(prenominal) readings are really high-priced and the total cost of ownership is unbearable for SLR. The drop back gumshoe has been an issue with the increasing mo of incidents be reported that has caused death and wounding.Majority of deaths on the railway adopt third parties with the incursion onto the level crossing overs. Average instruct accident would cost one million millions of Sri Lankan rupees and these fundament be keep downed if thither is a mechanism to track the give instruction location and speed and warn the engine drivers about practicable resort issues. Additionally, the read commuters also face difficulties ascribable to frequent ask stay puts, as the administration is ineffective to provide accurate catalogues based on rent’s location and speed.The solution is a oecumenical GPS/GSM based call for tracking system, which provides accurate, honorable and apropos teaching to the restrictler. The inbuilt GPS module identifies the work location with a highest accuracy and transfers the information to the central system via GSM. The availability of this information brooks the Train Controller to hit accurate decisions as for the originate location. Location information mickle be shape up processed to provide visual positioning using maps granting a wholesome view on revile location.Positioning information along with train speed helps the administration to station the potential sentry go issues and react to them effectively using the communication methods provided by the system. Additionally, the location information cigarette be used to facilitate accurate scheduling with regard to train comer and sledding on each station. This information outhouse also be do available for the commuters to draw any train delay in advance making this service more than sure. Railway services in Sri Lanka The Sri express, Lanka Railways surgical incision provides long distance and intercity Colombo commuter, par cel and mail, weight and purvey of special harter trains. This accounts to a provision of services to one hundred five million passengers and transfer of 1. 6 Million metric unit tonnes of loading per annum. The railways are a spanking part of the countrys beam infrastructure. As the economy grows, demand for efficacious becharm services increases, which the rail persistence has an all- master(prenominal)(prenominal) role to play in meeting. The rail industry is making progress in increasing the number of passengers carried, as well as its dispense of the loading market, and in astir(p) its customer focus and its levels of act and guard duty.Railway Today In 2008, railway losses hearted to LKR 4,553 million and state bus transport losses amounted to LKR 3,554 million, good-looking a total of LKR 8,107 million losses on state transport. This is not just a one- cartridge clip phenomenon, yet has been the trend for the last fewer decades. The total losses from the railway alone since 1999 have been LKR 28,052 million. That means, on average, the railway lost LKR 234 million both(prenominal) calendar month over the past ten eld; or, to hand it rase more graphic, LKR 7. 79 million every single day for the last ten years [1].This depicts the current state of the railways system in Sri Lanka as for the efficiency and general acceptance of the service. Reliability matters to the railway’s customers and to the economy at large. Train delay, a common phenomenon in Sri Lanka is considered to be inevitable and an pleasurable scenario. A train delay force mis sendful from 15mins to some hours. There are occasions where this has caused disputes among the commuters and the administration but the problem still remains unre lick. Railways division maintains a fixed schedule on train arrival and departure but does not pre-update based on potential delays.As a result the commuters face many problems and waste sequence and energy that spat e be used more productively. The provision of safe and certain services is a of import dealment of the railway as thousands rely on this service as their prime mode of transportation. The railway accidents accounts to death, injury and a large cost to the government. Most of the accidents are in form of derailments, which occur infrequently but have the potential to result in a large number of casualties. The most signifi go offt contributors of these accidents posit track and augury faults.Lack of communication amongst the maneuverlers and the drivers might forbid the preliminary precautionary actions being interpreted to avert such accidents. Additionally, the danger relies on the detail that there would be no mechanism to identify the potential sanctuary issues as for the un aware(predicate)ness of trains speed and location. The railways department has set itself some(prenominal) objectives to address this situation through and through a quantitative improvement of i ts services. It is think to increase railway share of passenger transport from percent 5% to 10% and Modal share of freight transport from 2% to 10% by 2010[2].Additionally, the department has identified the importance of improving the safety and efficiency of the service and has set the follo learng objectives in its strategic plan; • Improve cleanliness & quality of coachers / displace • • • • • Reduce train delays by 25 % and accidents/ derailment by 50% Remove all speed restrictions less than 8 Km Ph Establish management structure based on procedure military rating and observe process Enhance the percentage of efficiency Put in place a methodology for utilization of public funds corresponding to special services to make the present negative section in to a positive oneThere’re some(prenominal) constraints that acquires to be addressed in enounce to procure these objectives as this might still require complete reenginee ring of certain proficient aspects of the current system. The main constraint of course is the lack of funding. Railways are unworthy from historic under-investment stretching hold for decades that could be pretended to be so for the foreseeable future as well. However, it’s possible to develop effective solution that is economically feasible to the government. This would only be possible with the appropriate introduction of new technological solutions that achieve both performance and cost goals.Provisions for the future put objectives won’t be adequate for the development of the railway service in Sri Lanka. There should be effective and appropriate steps taken with a vision on addressing future demands and expansion. These steps should contract further planning, extensive designing, implementation of solutions and maintaining such systems in set up to stomach the service. There are several potential steps that can be taken in order to address most of the s ame issues associated with the railway service that in turn would assist the Railways department in achieving its strategic goals.Improving Safety The Railway department of Sri Lanka carries about 150 million passengers per annum and the safety of such service can never be taken for granted. passengers are entitled to expect to blend in safety throughout their journey and the government should be committed to protect the passengers and employers form any safety issue that might rise during the journey. powerful safety planning requires a detailed accord of key risk areas; the activities or circumstances where the safety risk to passengers, the workforce and the public is greatest.This allows resources and effort to be concentrated where they provide have the greatest impact. chase are the main security issues identified in Sri Lanka; • • Infrastructure engineering issues †derailment, signaling, points and crossings man behavior †Assault, objects on line, objects thrown at trains, accidents at level crossings • • Passenger behavior †Struck against fixed objects, falling from train in running Workforce issues †maintenance misconduct, realize errors The main safety issues are in the form of accidents that mostly involve third parties other than the passengers and the employers.However, infrastructure safety threats and workforce issues accounts to a considerable amount identified in Sri Lanka. Most of the infrastructure issues are associated with signaling and accident. This can be addressed by developing a communication channel between the train and the give center. The lead center should be able to identify the train’s location and speed to recognize possible safety threats; such as collision domains, speeding and noncompliance to signals. The interpret center should also be able to tell the locomotive drivers of the security threat.This will allow the drivers to bar or at least minimize the abus ive consequences. New system-management technology combined with accurate experience of train position will give the prospect to present drivers with advisory speeds as well as safety-critical speeds, aimed at maintaining the flow of traffic by set trains in advance of points of conflict so as to keep off or minimize the need to wind up trains to await paths. Human intervention at control centers can lead to accidents due to human error or negligence.For an instance if the cross point numeration is done manually it can lead to accidents if an monstrous value is communicated. These problems can only be solved via an automated system, which will handle these tasks and would consequently avoid human error. Improving Reliability & Availability The trust on the railway as a reliable service has degraded over the last few decades due to poor provision of services to the general public. This is in the first place due to the frequent delays experienced specially in long distanc e services. A reliable railway is the single most important urgency of passengers.Delays are an unproductive use of people’s m, and serious delays might disrupt their travel plans. The sign cause of a delay can be: • • • An infrastructure problem for which railway department is trustworthy (for example, a signaling problem or a speed restriction imposed in answer to a track defect); An operable problem for which a train operator is responsible (for example, the breakdown of a train); and An incident that is largely beyond the railway’s control (for example, an accident involving a third party)The signaling problems and accidents involving third parties can be minimized using a communication channel between the drivers and the control centers. The control center should be informed of the train’s current position and speed that should be based on an accurate, dependable source of data. Delays can be minimized with driver advisory speeds, a lter platform departure convictions, backed by predictive routing algorithms and supporting regulation of train movements through junctions, can ensure presentation of trains just in cadence to lend oneself a free path, rather than stop and starting from rest when a path becomes available.None of these solutions will be possible unless the current tracking system is replaced by a dependable and a more informative system that is capable of providing accurate train position and speeds of the entire network. The cost of train control should fall rapidly once real- condemnation train location systems that are suitable to the local mount is identified and are employ.It is likely that operations on most regional lines will be controlled from an operations centre, through low-cost wireless technology such as GSM, the future development of which will allow increased capacity for train control systems, regulation, and better passenger safety services. Improving Communication and Public Awareness Lack of information regarding train schedules, delays, and low accuracy of the schedules are to become worse at heart the context of expansions and would only result in more time spent on the platform, consequently resulting in public dissatisfaction and frustration.There are several constraints identified that would prevent the railways from providing accurate schedules and other information. • • The soundless nature of the information sources (ex: static web pages and notifications at send) Deficiencies of the current tracking system General public is made aware of the train schedules using notifications at train post and via the official web site of the railways department.However, none of these methods will provide accurate data as for the static nature of the web site and the notifications at the station. Additionally, the deficiencies of the current tracking system impose constraints on providing accurate, dependable and timely information to the dr ug substance absubstance abuser. The switched based tracking system used by the railways department is yet to hug the entire network but would cost a considerable amount for expansion and maintenance thus, emphasizes the need of an alternative that would be more accurate and cost effective.This limits effective decision-making due to inaccuracy and would also lead to accidents. Additional train capacity and better service performance will be the key for success, but the seamless use of technology to deliver information on train status in real time will not only improve utilization, but also offer seamless planning as well as accurate information on availability of passenger services.Further enhancements of such system would even grant passengers capabilities such as text messages communicate accurate arrival and departure times and even the seating capacity of the train. GPS/GSM Based Train introduce System We strongly believe that the correct combination of latest information a nd communication technologies can provide an effective and feasible solution for the requirement of a reliable and accurate train tracking system to improve the efficiency and productivity of Sri Lanka Railways.The solution we evoke encompasses a powerful combination of mobile computing, Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Global Positioning System (GPS), Geographical Information System (GIS) technologies and software system to provide an intelligent train tracking and management system to improve the subsisting railway transport service. All these technologies are seamlessly coordinated to build a robust, scalable architecture as illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. : high up Level Architecture The fundamental process in our system is obtaining train location using GPS technology and transmitting the data via GSM network to the central control unit for data processing and information analysis. Real- time positioning information received by the host is made meaningful and extremely useful for the end user through integration of GIS technology where the end user can better organize and utilize information from a graphical view point. Our system consists of 3 main modules. • • • The portable hardware unit (GPS/GSM train locator unit) Central horde which andles receiving information from train locators and concurrent user requests pictorial substance abuser Interface (GUI) to provide services to our stakeholders The train locator unit planted in the train is intentional and implemented, considering the cost factor, size of the module, durability and low power consumption. The power supply unit of the module is a main factor which decides the feasibility of the unit, as it should sustain a seamless supply of electricity at a low voltage for the locator module to function properly.The GPS receiver of the unit is capable of identifying the latitudinal and longitudinal position and ground speed of the proper(postnominal) train by recei ving information from the GPS satellites. The position data is periodically sent to the central legion through the GSM transmitter of the module. The device is capable of storing data in a buffer at a time of GSM connectivity failure, and can synchronize with the remote master of ceremonies when GSM is back online. The device can also respond to commands and data calls from the remote server as per administrative requirements of the train controllers.We have chosen GSM as the communication metier between the train locator and the central server to improve availability of our system by utilizing the existing GSM network which covers the whole country. The use of GSM over GPRS importantly improves the feasibility and availability of our system. Despite the high mobile penetration and number of mobile telecom service providers (GSM) covering the island, GPRS usage and the coverage is poor in many rural parts of Sri Lanka. hence, selection of GSM over GPRS data communication is fea sible and enables island wide service provisioning.The competition between the GSM service providers has also lead to high quality GSM services at jolly rates. The central control system includes a server for handling and processing all the position information received from train locators via the GSM network. The server automatically updates the database with latest position, speed and direction information of each train. The server carries out information processing and analyzing in order to cater for different requirements of the users of our system.The main stakeholders of our system are the railway Department), locomotive drivers and the train administrators (Railway commuters. Our main objective is to be implemental in improving the efficiency and authority of Sri Lanka Railway services by fulfilling the fundamental requirement of reliable and real time information of train positioning for monitoring and administration purposes by the Railway Department. The end user of our system is offered with an unproblematic to use graphical user interface for information analysis and administration tasks.The web based get at and extensible mobile find to our software is knowing to be intuitive for the end user to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of our system. We have incorporated GIS proficiencys to provide location specific data organized in layers so the end user can better apprehend the information provided by the system. a very good Satellite images providing visual positioning can serve as background when used in conjunction with map data specifying the location.Our system fundamentally provides functionality for the railway administrator to monitor the progress of a particular train or a chemical group of trains operating in a geographical area. The user can search and locate trains by the train ID, train name, current location or close station etc. Information such as train speed, direction can also be given along with real time train pos itioning data. The train control and management process includes management of heavy traffic of passenger and freight trains, which operates in complex running patterns on the railway network.The train controller needs to ensure that passenger trains are adhering to the schedules as well to find good routes for unscheduled freight trains. Recording the train movements, arrival/departure at railway stations, arouse status, railway track conditions, and passenger information is a dull task for the train controllers and would be time consuming if done manually. The accuracy of this information is very important to ensure smooth functioning of the railway service as well as to optimize resource planning.For example at a point of a railway-track failure or an accident, train controller should be able to decide on how to utilize existing resources and efficient alternative routes to ensure system availability of the railway service in that region. Thus our train tracking system can be intensify to automate the train control and management process of the Railway Department in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the railway services provided. future(a) is a list of facilities that can be offered by our system to automate the train control and management process. • • • • • • • • • self-regulating record keeping of train operations and events Functionality to cave in time-distance graph for trains which can be used to control and plan the train movements speediness to generate user delineate reports and graphs on train movements, arrival-departure at each station, schedule adherence etc. Facility to playback the progress of each train and events for review purposes automated schedule regulation Forecasting functionality on train arrival-departure at different stations Automatic detective work of over speeding, non-adherence r egulations, rail-track failures, train delays etc. o traffic Facil ity to send bouncys/warnings to particular train drivers on possible collisions, derailment through the system Automatic rail crossing control By automating the process of record keeping of train traveling, the load of paper work on the train controller is dramatically reduced. This would also ensure accuracy and integrity of the data eliminating human error when documentation is done manually. A single entry point of data ensures there’s no ambiguity of the data preserve in the system.The logged data on arrival-departure time at different stations, number of passengers onboard, freight details, signaling and fuel status at different stations, are instrumental for railway administration when evaluating performance of trains and locomotive drivers. Graphical representation of these data with ability to compare with diachronic data will be instrumental for the administration to take effective decisions. Various user defined reports on train activities, driver performance, pa ssenger and freight information also support timely and accurate decision making by the administration.Time-distance graph is vital for the train traffic regulation process. The graph gives the user a wholesome view of the train circulation, railway infrastructure state in different regions and enables the user to detect abnormal conditions and conflicts. The graph is useful for the train operator to identify traffic problems in advance and take precautions to resolve the problems. Data mining is a method of extracting patterns from data [3].The use of advance data mining techniques combined with complex algorithms such as neural networks, genetic algorithms and rule induction can be instrumental in identifying hidden patterns from terrific amount of data. Spatial data mining technique combines data mining with GIS to find patterns in spacial data, which could be a powerful tool for applications using geographical information such as our system. With the huge amount of data pertai ning to train operations self-contained daily, process of information analysis using customary methods would be a difficult task.Hence, the use of spacial data mining techniques would drastically improve the productivity and effectiveness of the train control and management process carried out through our system. Facility to playback past activities on the railway, enables the user to review and analyze in operation(p) situations in the past. Data mining operations can be used effectively in combination with the playback function to identify sequential patterns of particular activities and their impact on the railway traffic.For example, at an unfortunate incident of a train collision, train controllers can use the playback feature combined with the data mining techniques to analyze and identify the sequence of activities which resulted in that accident. With that knowledge, railway administrators can take necessary precautions and trigger watchfulness mechanisms to avoid such unfortunate accidents in future, making the railway transportation much safer. Improving safety and availability of railway transport service requires detection and triggering of alertness mechanisms to avoid possible train collisions and other forms of adverse incidents.Constant monitoring of train location, speed, traffic conditions, rail-track conditions and adherence to traffic regulations helps the train controllers to detect potential collisions and derailments. A proper alerting framework is vital in order to avoid such adverse incidents by alerting the locomotive drivers in advance. Our system facilitates a comprehensive alerting mechanism by enable the train controllers to send alerts/ notifications to locomotive drivers via GSM connection.The hardware unit planted in the train can be enhanced to nimble the alerts to the driver in graphical and audible forms. A LED display unit and an alarm chime to signal adverse conditions can be integrated with the hardware unit to pr ovide a complete alerting framework. The unit can be further enhanced to support voice communication between train controllers and locomotive drivers in order to provide guidance and important messages to the particular driver. This would also enable locomotive drivers to contact the control unit at a state of emergency.Furthermore the system can be incorporated to significantly improve safety at railway and road intersection points. Over the years, many road accidents have occurred at railway crossings elevated a critical safety threat to both train commuters and passengers in vehicles. Such accidents are caused mainly by the unreliability of the safety mechanisms such as blocking arms and signal lights used at the crossing point. Thus our system can be extended to improve the reliability of such safety mechanisms by synchronizing the railway crossing control process with the incoming train’s position.We can provide accurate real time information on train position, speed an d length of the train to synchronize the functions of rail crossing with the train movements. The productivity of the service can be significantly change by providing accurate predictions on approaching train at the rail-road crossing and displaying amount of remaining time to clear the crossing from train traffic. Alarm triggers to alert road vehicles approaching too close to the rail-road crossing at a point of train approaching, can also be incorporated to improve the effectiveness of our solution.Thus the system is instrumental in improving safety of both railway passengers and people crossing rail-road cross points. Integrating an intelligent foretelling mechanism on arrival-departure time at different railway stations can further enhance the efficiency and productivity of our system. Train schedule is inevitably subject to train delays which can occur due to various reasons such as excessive train load, rail track failures, train traffic, adverse weather conditions etc.A num ber of operational parameters such as railway traffic, train priority, efficient routes, and railway infrastructure conditions have to be taken into consideration to accurately forecast train arrival time at various stations. Here also data mining with other complex algorithms can be instrumental to provide accurate forecasting on train arrival-departure at stations. The train schedule regulations are automatically updated and stakeholders can be notified. atomic number 53 of the main purposes of our system is to facilitate accurate public information istribution with regard to railway services and operations. Thus, our system can be incorporated to design and implement innovative Passenger Information Systems (PIS) based on real time information of train positions. LED-Display panels put up at railway stations can display arrivaldeparture time of each train enabling the public user to make informed decisions on their journeys. Route number, destination of the arriving vehicle and waiting time can be displayed with real time information.With accurate forecasting of train arrival-departure at stations, Railway Department can improve the loyal customer base and also attract new passengers to railway transport service by winning their trust and trim user uncertainty of using public transport facilities. The user experience can be further enhanced by introducing information Kiosks which can provide information to travelers in an intuitive and interactive expression to make informed decisions on selecting train routes and departure time.The interactive kiosk can be used to obtain travel information such as alternate routes to specified destination, route details on the railway map and latest information on train schedules etc. As a market strategy, information regarding the particular city, culture and commercial activities can also be provided to the user through the kiosk. some other extension of the PIS system is delivering real time train information to ha ndheld devices such as mobile phones and PDAs.With the increasing interest on mobile applications, access to latest train schedule information via mobile connection can be influential for improving customer base of the railway service. Easy to use mobile applications can be designed and implemented to enable train commuters to easily subscribe to our service and obtain latest train schedule information via mobile devices. Reliability and customer loyalty of the railway services can be significantly improved by taking such action to improve accurate public information distribution of the current status of railway services.Conclusion After seeing many advancements and changes in the location tracking technology, Sri Lanka Railways now has the ability to pin point the location and other attributes of an operational train in an economical accurate manner. Thus it is visible that to keep up with the today’s demand for information and to comply with the citizen centric governance, technological advancements is essential for a 3rd world country, as after all the deciding factors of a country’s success would be on the how ollaborative and duplex the governance framework in terms of seamless information flow of accurate and timely information between governance ecosystem. Reference [1] Rohan Samarajiva, May 2009, Ideas to win the war: Sri Lankas main line railway, http://www. lankabusinessonline. com/print. php? nid=1238565096 [2] Sri Lanka Railway Department 2007, n. d. , Future Plans, http://www. railway. gov. lk/future_plan. html\r\n'