A New Calibration Method for the Real-Time Calculation of Dynamic Safety Following Distance under Railway Moving Block System

Only the actual following distance that is a little greater than the optimum safety following distance at any time can make the following train move in safety and efficiency. For this purpose, a new calibration method is studied for the real-time calculation of the dynamically optimum safety following distance. To cope with the complex situations of train following operation, the mathematic model of train deceleration operation based on the hyperbolic function with a variable acceleration control strategy is established to simulate the speed-changing behavior of high-speed train steered by the well-experienced driver. Using the evaluation of train behavior adjustment quality and the numerical analysis theory, we build the fitting function of the optimum absolute safety following distance changing with the following train’s velocity for the real-time calibration of safe following distance under absolute braking mode. And then, we discussed the real-time calculation of the optimum safety following distance under relative braking mode (i.e., the relative safety following distance). The study results will help a high-speed train to evaluate and optimize its own following behavior according to the current operation states of train following system, the actual following distance, and the absolute or relative safety following distance. The actual following distance is rationally controlled by the scientific adjustment of the following train’s behavior so that train following movement can be always safe, efficient, and smooth (comfortable).