Yan, Wenxiao (Beijing Jiaotong University), Wang, Jiayu (Beijing Jiaotong University), TANG, Tao (Beijing Jiaotong University), Liu, Hongjie (Beijing Jiaotong University)

A Protection Method for Virtually Coupled Trains Based on Emergency Braking Acceleration Coordinated Configuration

Scheduled for presentation during the Video Session "On-Demand Video Presentations" (VP-VP), Saturday, November 22, 2025, 08:00−18:00, On-Demand Platform

2025 IEEE 28th International Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITSC), November 18-21, 2025, Gold Coast, Australia

This information is tentative and subject to change. Compiled on April 2, 2026

Abstract

Virtual Coupling (VC) has recently emerged as a prominent topic in the railway sector. It aims to offer more frequent services by allowing trains to operate at closer distances. However, current safety protection methods fail to meet the requirements of VC in terms of train separation. Implementing VC requires an advanced safety protection method that enables trains to run closer together without compromising safety. Therefore, to ensure the safety of small interval tracking of VC, a space-time interval protection method is proposed. At the same time, to reduce the safety distance and enhance train operation efficiency, this paper introduces the concept of coordination in emergency braking acceleration configuration. By actively controlling the braking performance of each train unit within the VC, ensure that the braking performance of the following train is superior to that of the leading train, thus reducing the safety distance and meeting the requirements of VC. Finally, experiments validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Results show that the safe distance can be shortened by 45.6% when the VC Train units (VCTs) drive at 80km/h.