Russian Railways has tested a "virtual coupling" system that improves the interval control of train traffic. The technology synchronizes the automatic driving systems of two trains, minimizing and automatically maintaining a safe distance between trains traveling in the same direction, thereby halving the following interval and increasing capacity.
The pilot site was the 276 km "Rossosh — Likhaya" section, located on one of the key passenger routes "center — south".
Two EP1M locomotives, equipped with automatic driving systems, digital radio modems and integrated safety devices, under the supervision of specialists from NIIAS and TMH, traveled in reserve, without wagons, with a traffic interval of 3 to 6 minutes.
Additionally, tests were carried out on the side tracks of the station and the reaction of the driven locomotive to the emergency braking of the leading locomotive was checked, as well as dozens of other studies were performed. The systems operated normally.
Experimental trips with wagons are planned until the end of November to simulate the movement of two passenger trains.
