for personal use only this presentation contains copyrighted material. please do not copy or...

For Personal Use Only

This presentation contains copyrighted material.

PLEASE DO NOT COPY OR DUPLICATE. NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE.

Rodney Black

home.comcast.net/~kb0oys

Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS)

Building a Panel

• CATS – home.comcast.net/~kb0oys

• JMRI – jmri.sourceforge.net

ResourcesResourcesComputer Automated Traffic System (CATS) Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS)

• Introduction to CATS• Prototype examples• Setting up CATS as a better magnet board• Signal aspect and indication determination• Setting up CATS as a dispatcher panel for a

model railroad• Advanced CATS

OutlineOutlineComputer Automated Traffic System (CATS) Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS)

• CATS is a computer program for controlling the signals on a model railroad (ABS, APB, CTC)

• CATS is a dispatcher’s panel for a model railroad

• CATS is a model of a dispatcher’s panel

• CATS is a suite of programs to assist in operating a model railroad in a prototypical manner

Introduction – What is CATS?Introduction – What is CATS?Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS) Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS)

• CATS is computer system independent

• CATS is not tied to a particular control system

• CATS is a JMRI application

• CATS is not PanelPro

• CATS is freeware and open source

• CATS is a modern looking dispatcher panel inspired by Digicon

• The primary CATS user is the model railroader who wants a “kit” for signaling– Simple to set up– Simple to use– Realistic

• The secondary CATS user is the purist– CATS cannot be everything to everyone– CATS follows the “good enough” principle

Prototype Research - DigiconPrototype Research - DigiconComputer Automated Traffic System (CATS) Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS)

Copyright Digicon

Prototype Research - DigiconPrototype Research - DigiconComputer Automated Traffic System (CATS) Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS)

NTSB Docket DCA-08-MR009

Prototype Research – UP CADPrototype Research – UP CADComputer Automated Traffic System (CATS) Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS)

• Convert a track plan to a CTC panel diagram

• Draw the mainline• Locate the blocks• Define the turnouts• Add some signals• Run some trains as a magnet board

Game Plan #1Game Plan #1Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS) Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS)

Copyright “Track Planning for Realistic Operation” by John Armstrong

Creating the PanelCreating the PanelComputer Automated Traffic System (CATS) Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS)

• Files – loading, saving, creating anew, importing

• Edit – geometry changes, cell clearing and copying

• Devices → Signal

• Details → Tracks

• Details → Track Ends– Block definitions– Signal placement– Turnout definitions

• Details → Stations

• Details → Labels

• Trains

• Crew

Map to CATS (Magnet Board)Map to CATS (Magnet Board)Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS) Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS)

• Trains

• Crew

• Trains

• Crew

• Trains

• Crew

• Trains

• Crew

• Trains

• Crew

• Trains

• Crew

• Trains

• Crew

• Trains

• Crew

• Trains

• Crew

• Trains

• Crew

Architecture - Control and SensingArchitecture - Control and SensingComputer Automated Traffic System (CATS) Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS)

COMPUTER

outputs

inputs

signals

switch machines

block detectors

turnout feedback

electrical switches

Wiring – Security Element (OS Section)Wiring – Security Element (OS Section)Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS) Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS)

B CA1A2

Switch Machine

Block Detection

output

Position Feedback

Turnout Control

• Aspect – the presentation – what the signal looks like

• Indication – the meaning – what the signal is telling the crew about track conditions

Signal TerminologySignal TerminologyComputer Automated Traffic System (CATS) Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS)

Sources: Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe System Timetable No. 5, April 16, 1995

Union Pacific System Timetable No. 6, May 15, 1988

Aspects and Indications – The KeystoneAspects and Indications – The Keystone

Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS) Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS)

Stop before any part of train or engine passes the signal.

Stop before any part of train or engine passes the signal then proceed at restricted speed, not exceeding 15 MPH prepared to stop at any obstruction, through the entire block.

Flashing Stop and Proceed

Proceed on diverging route prepared to stop before any part of train or engine passes the next signal. Speed through turnout must not exceed 15 MPH. Speed to next signal must not exceed 30 MPH.

Diverging Approach

Proceed on diverging route. Speed through turnout must not exceed 15 MPH.

Diverging Clear Slow

Proceed on diverging route at prescribed speed through turnout prepared to stop before any part of train or engine passes the next signal. Trains exceeding 30 MPH must immediately reduce to that speed.

Diverging Approach

Proceed on diverging route at prescribed speed through turnout.

Diverging Clear

Proceed. Speed passing next signal must not exceed 30 MPH.

Approach Medium

Proceed prepared to stop before any part of train or engine passes the next signal. Trains exceeding 30 MPH must immediately reduce to that speed.

Approach

Proceed.Clear

IndicationNameSignal Aspect

Target Signals (Scratch built & Sunrise) Sunrise signal at North De Moyan

Copyright Pat Lana

• Speed Signals – the signal indication tells the speed limit on the block being protected and one or more subsequent blocks

• Route Signals – the signal indication tells what route thru an interlocking plant (security element, OS section) will be taken

Speed versus Route SignalsSpeed versus Route SignalsComputer Automated Traffic System (CATS) Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS)

Determining the Signal AspectDetermining the Signal AspectComputer Automated Traffic System (CATS) Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS)

Normal > Limited > Medium > Slow

Track Condition: The “slowest speed” in any track segment between a signaland the next signal.

Determining Track ConditionsDetermining Track ConditionsComputer Automated Traffic System (CATS) Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS)

N N N N N N N

• At least one template for each column in the aspect table

• Can have multiple templates for each column

• Can have multiple aspect tables• CATS figures out what colors/positions are

needed based on defined aspects

Signal TemplatesSignal TemplatesComputer Automated Traffic System (CATS) Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS)

• Command – message sent to the layout– Route Selection

• Report – message received from the layout– Route selected– Route unselected

• Request – message received from the layout

Definitions of Turnout TermsDefinitions of Turnout TermsComputer Automated Traffic System (CATS) Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS)

• Tell the panel about the layout• Define occupancy detectors for the blocks• Add turnout feedback• Construct the signal aspects and

indications• Define the aspects• Define the turnout control• Run some simulated trains

Game Plan #2Game Plan #2Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS) Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS)

• Devices → JMRI Names

• Details → Track Ends → Block Boundary– Occupancy– Station

• Devices → Signal Template → Aspects

• Details → Track Ends– Signals → Layout– Switch Points

• Command• Feedback

Map to CATS (Connected to Layout)Map to CATS (Connected to Layout)Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS) Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS)

End of the LineEnd of the LineComputer Automated Traffic System (CATS) Computer Automated Traffic System (CATS)

for personal use only this presentation contains copyrighted material. please do not copy or...

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