In indoor wireless positioning systems, non-line-of-sight (NLOS) propagation caused by base station deployment constraints and environmental structures poses a major challenge to positioning accuracy. Mitigating the adverse effects of NLOS propagation without increasing deployment cost remains a fundamental challenge in indoor wireless positioning. To address this challenge, we propose a novel correction framework that utilizing ranging information and structural constraints to construct virtual line-of-sight (LOS) base stations as substitutes for NLOS measurements, thereby enabling effective utilization of NLOS signals. The proposed method models the structural information of the indoor environment in a planar form and, in combination with a location prediction algorithm, enables accurate identification of signal types in dynamic scenarios. Furthermore, an NLOS reconstruction algorithm is developed to infer feasible propagation paths of identified NLOS signals, allowing reliable virtual LOS base stations to be generated for subsequent localization. The entire framework operates rapidly without requiring any prior data collection, and improves positioning stability and system availability using only standard ranging measurements and structural constraints at a low computational cost. To validate the proposed approach, multiple low-cost ultra-wideband (UWB) base stations were deployed in a corridor environment, and pedestrian motion data were collected under dense NLOS conditions. Experimental results demonstrate a substantial improvement in positioning performance: the root mean square error (RMSE) of UWB positioning is reduced from over 4 meters to below 0.4 meters, confirming the effectiveness of the proposed solution.

GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) for train positioning has been applied in advanced train control systems. GNSS as the input for train localization, testing GNSS positioning for train localization as function and performance is a necessary procedure throughout the entire lifecycle of the train control system, from design to operation. To generate corresponding GNSS for train localization test cases, it is essential and beneficial to go through data mining of various train operation records and analyze the failure modes of the GNSS for train localization operations. This paper focuses on analyzing the GNSS data recorded during train operation, considering both textual records and numerical data generated by GNSS receivers. The textual records comes from regular records logged by the trainborne equipment of ITCS (Incremental Train Control System) collected on the Qinghai-Tibet railway line, while the numerical data is extracted from the processed NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association) data and RINEX (Receiver INdependent EXchange) format files. A semantic analysis method based on the TF-IDF (Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency) algorithm is used to mine the textual records, identifying important feature words and utilizing fault tree analysis to determine the causes of the failure modes. For the numerical data, a machine learning approach based on SSA-XGBoost (Sparrow Search Algorithm-eXtreme Gradient Boosting) is employed, followed by the application of the Shapley additive explanation method to identify the most important parameters. Through the mining and analysis of textual records, we identified that “Bad satellite geometry” “Poor satellite signal quality” and “Insufficient Number of visible satellites” are important fault causes when compiling test cases. FTA (Fault Tree Analysis) modelling method is used to determine the root cause of these failures as “positioning environment is restricted”. Through the mining and analysis of numerical data, we have determined that it is crucial to model the 3 key parameters of SNR_mean, HDOP, and PRerror_mean during the testing process. By mining and analyzing these textual records and numerical data, the paper provides clear directions and effective foundations for the generation of GNSS test cases for train localization. Based on the mining results, key failure modes and parameters to design more targeted and comprehensive test cases, improving testing effectiveness and comprehensiveness.

To address the challenge of stability analysis for traditional nonlinear fuzzy PID controllers in train virtual coupling, this paper proposes a dynamic modeling approach for speed errors based on the T-S fuzzy model. The T-S fuzzy model is constructed via fuzzy rules to achieve local linear approximation of nonlinear error dynamics. Leveraging Lyapunov stability theory, local asymptotic stability conditions are derived using Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs), and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm is employed for multi-objective optimization of PID parameters, considering response speed, control smoothness, and gain robustness comprehensively. Simulation results in virtual coupling following scenarios demonstrate that the controller achieves high-precision tracking, the mean error shows a 19.67% reduction compared to traditional fuzzy PID, the mean squared error exhibits a 20.51% reduction and control effort fluctuations are significantly reduced. This study establishes a local stability framework for T-S fuzzy control in virtual coupling systems, providing a theoretical basis for energy-efficient multi-objective optimization under complex dynamics.

The accumulation of inertial equipment errors in the GNSS/INS integrated system can degrade the accuracy of the train's position, velocity, and attitude (PVA) determination in the GNSS-difficult scenarios. To address this issue, a method for improving train attitude accuracy by employing inertial quaternion modelling is proposed. This method involves designing the quaternion estimation model assisted by the train acceleration in the inner-loop’s inertial derivation model (inner-loop estimation). When the INS operates in combined mode with the odometer, the inner-loop KF measurement model causes rotation errors due to the accelerometer’s bias. These errors can be transferred into the odometer, making it difficult to maintain the system's accuracy. To deal with this problem, the external-loop quaternion model is introduced. Utilizing error-quaternion as the coupling medium will ensure that the inner-loop’s quaternion and inertial-bias errors can be estimated and corrected in the external-loop, which involves integrating the inner-loop estimation model with the odometer/INS to generate the double-loop quaternion enhancement method. The experiment results on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway demonstrate that the proposed method has an obvious improvement in the PVA determination compared with odometer/INS method, and it can track the PVA references better and improve capability to maintain the PVA determination accuracy in GNSS-difficult scenarios.

The integrated Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)/Inertial Navigation System (INS) system has been widely used in vehicular positioning and navigation. However, the complex unstructured environments would lead to positioning degradation due to the GNSS outage. This paper proposed a Convolutional Neural Network-Long Short Term Memory (CNN-LSTM) assisted 21-dimensional GNSS/INS integrated navigation system using a Recomputed Method based on the Bias and Scale factor (BS-RM) error of the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). When GNSS is available, the obtained accurate GNSS/INS integrated navigation information is used as the input of the proposed BS-RM model to calculate the precise theoretical bias and scale factor error, which are trained as the target values of CNN-LSTM. When GNSS is unavailable, the trained CNN-LSTM is utilized to predict the accurate bias and scale factor. The consistent system positioning could be obtained with the suppressed INS error divergence by applying the IMU dead reckoning. To verify the performance of the proposed BS-RM model, three GNSS signal failure segments at different periods were randomly selected to evaluate the system. In addition, two GNSS failure segments were selected in the straight and curved roads respectively to further evaluate the performance of the CNN-LSTM assisted 21-dimensional GNSS/INS navigation system based on BS-RM. Compared with the traditional model of predicting position and velocity, the horizontal Distance Root Mean Square Error (DRMS) of BS-RM in the straight and curve tracks is improved by 83.85% and 88.06%, respectively, which confirms the improvement and consistent accuracy capability of the proposed method.

Technological advances in the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) industry have brought significant advantages in enhancing the cost-efficiency of railway applications. However, GNSS vulnerability to external jamming necessitates enhanced protection ability of the GNSS-based train localization system. This paper proposes a resilient train localization solution under the tightly-coupled integration scheme. This solution maximizes the utilization of multi-source information from train-borne sensors, including INS, odometer, and the trackmap database. Based on the existing localization scheme, it achieves a compatible way to address different jamming-intrusion situations without altering the GNSS receiver structure, addressing both the GNSS failure and degradation caused by jamming. Using an odometer/trackmap-enabled equivalent measurement logic, the continuity of localization can be guaranteed against GNSS failure under strong GNSS jamming. A robust filtering algorithm enabled by a jamming discrimination mechanism is proposed for GNSS/INS integration to mitigate the negative effect from degraded GNSS measurements, reducing the hazards by jamming with an intermediate power level. Based on the field data and a jamming test platform, results under two typical jamming scenarios are evaluated to demonstrate the necessity and superiority of the proposed solution. It also emphasizes the importance of the full-life-cycle resilience of GNSS-based train localization under the railway operation environment.

GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) is virtually becoming an autonomous train localization technology for the next-generation train control system. However, potential threats from the intentional interference may severely degrade the availability of GNSS due to its vulnerability. It is of great significance to detect and isolate the negative effects from GNSS interference for the Train Control System (TCS) in the railway field. For the protection against GNSS jamming, extra information from the Inertial Navigation System (INS) and odometer are involved, and an INS/odometer/trackmap-aided GNSS localization method for railway trains is raised in this paper. While the GNSS receiver cannot identify the real signals under a high-power jamming attack condition, a prediction deduced train position generation approach is proposed. In this strategy, velocity from the odometer and the geospatial constraint from the trackmap are involved to calibrate INS, with which continuous positioning is realized under a GNSS-denied situation. Furthermore, while the measurements degradation occurs caused by a relatively low power jamming, a residual-test-based detection solution based on the deviation between the predicted reference pseudo-ranges and the real ones is proposed to isolate degraded measurements. Results from an experiment under a GPS jamming condition demonstrate that the proposed solution outperforms the GPS Single Point Positioning (SPP) and the conventional GPS/INS method. The jamming protection and continuous positioning performance under specific jamming conditions enhance the capability of resilient train positioning.

Satellite-based train positioning has been an important focus for new generation railway train control systems. The Virtual Balise (VB) technology enables a compatible solution for introducing Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) into a train control system under the existing system specification framework. The VB capture operation requires accurate and reliable position information of the train, even under complicated and challenged operation environments. In this paper, the key logic of the Safety Qualifier Module (SQM) in the VB scheme is investigated. Using the integrity concept, specific detection and isolation logics are presented at both the GNSS observation level and the sensor fusion level. By actively adjusting the positioning calculation structure according to the quality inspection of the GNSS measurements, the qualification criteria can take advantage of the integrity report of the positioning result, which guarantees the dependability of GNSS-based VB capture for the train control purpose. Results from the filed data and simulation demonstrate the capability of the presented solution, which illustrates the advanced VB capture performance under specific GNSS observation scenarios.

Integrity monitoring is a crucial concern in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) based positioning for railway transportation. The accurate detection and exclusion of the fault in GNSS measurements will greatly enhance the stability of the positioning performance for the safety critical application of GNSS. However, the existing Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM) method may fail in detecting and excluding the incipient fault due to the constraint of a Gaussian assumption. In this paper, a novel Fault Detection and Exclusion (FDE) approach with non Gaussian assumption is proposed to eliminate the effect from the incipient fault. Hatch filter is adopted to eliminate gross errors and smooth the observation but retain the incipient characteristic of deviated GNSS residual. A sliding window-based strategy is introduced to extract the empirical non Gaussian fault-free distribution using kernel density-based distribution fitting. Based on that, a global/local integrated test method is proposed to realize FDE, where the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Chi-square test are involved to detect the fault(s), and the improved Efficient Leave One Block Out (ELOBO) strategy is adopted to realize fault isolation. Results of fault injection tests under the GNSS-based train positioning scenario established with the field data demonstrate the performance of the proposal. In the comparison with the Gaussian-domain FDE method, the proposed approach realizes an enhanced sensitivity and exclusion capability to both the low level step fault and the incipient ramp fault. The fault exclusion capability ensures a stable positioning precision level, which is significant in GNSS-based train positioning for specific railway applications.

Jamming to satellite navigation signals has become a major threat to the safety critical train control systems using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), where the Virtual Balise (VB) concept enables a specification-compatible solution to utilize GNSS and reduce the physical Balises. This paper presents a novel GNSS jamming detection and exclusion solution to achieve trustworthy capture of VBs. An advanced architecture of Virtual Balise Reader (VBR) is proposed by integrating an Interference Qualifier Module (IQM) into the conventional GNSS-enabled VB framework. To enhance the trustworthiness of the VB capture, the IQM detects and identifies the existence of interference by examining the residuals between the real and predicted GNSS pseudo-ranges, which are generated by the odometry data and the trackmap. A discrimination test approach is utilized to evaluate the availability of raw satellite measurements according to the statistical analysis. We embed the performance indicator for each pseudo-range into the VB capture logic to isolate the degraded measurements and, meantime, adopt an adaptive Capture Interval Limit (CIL) to avoid the unexpected missed capture. Data sets from a GNSS jamming injection-based test platform are used for comparative studies, demonstrating the necessity and superiority of the proposed solution in improving the interference protection capability and trustworthiness of VB capture under the GNSS jamming environment.

Advantages of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) in precise and reliable localization can be exploited to enable low-cost and train-centric railway train control systems by reducing track-side facilities like Balises and track circuits. However, constrained observability of satellite signals in specific railway station areas leads to a great challenge to the continuity and availability of GNSS-based train positioning. The pseudolite (PL) technology has a great potential for seamless localization under GNSS-challenged or even signal-denied environments. In this paper, we consider the optimized solution of pseudolite constellation design for seamless train positioning in railway station environments. An integrated train positioning architecture is presented based on a combined GNSS/PL measurement model. Using the trackmap, the proposed solution firstly establishes a feature point set covering all tracks in the station by extracting key Points-of-interest (POIs) from track database. Based on that, a K-means-enhanced generalized center-guided firefly algorithm (KGFA) is proposed to improve the standard firefly algorithm (FA) for deriving an optimized pseudolite constellation solution. The performance indicator for each candidate pseudolite layout scheme is defined according to the scenario-based GNSS/PL constellation configuration. The capability of the KGFA-enabled solution is validated by comparisons with similar FA methods. Through a case study, performance of the optimized pseudolite constellation and its influence to GNSS/PL-based seamless train positioning have been demonstrated over the involved reference pseudolite layout strategies. It is noteworthy that the proposed solution enables the enhanced inherent capability of the local pseudolite network to achieve seamless train positioning over the conventional GNSS-alone train positioning mode.

Train localization based on the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is an important feature of the novel train control systems. Considering the complicated railway operation conditions, jamming signals from the environment may pose a severe threat to the GNSS-based train localization. Therefore, the accurate detection and perception of GNSS jamming will play a significant role in ensuring the safe operation of the trains. In this paper, a jamming identification method for GNSS-based train localization using singular value decomposition (SVD) is proposed. By extracting feature values from the singular value sequence, and modeling the mapping relationship between the feature values and the jamming characteristics, the discrimination of jamming characteristics, including the type and the power of the jamming signal, is achieved. A satellite signal-level test platform with the jamming signal injection capability is built to verify the proposed solution. Results of the tests demonstrate the jamming recognition performance of the proposed solution under the Continuous Wave Interference (CWI), Linear Frequency Modulation (LFM) and the Band-limited White Noise (BLWN) jamming conditions.

Satellite-based positioning has become a significant technical feature of next-generation railway train control systems. However, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) enabled train positioning is susceptible to the threat from radio frequency interference, which may lead to risks to the safe and efficient train operation. It is of great necessity to evaluate the influence of GNSS jamming in developing specific anti-attack solutions in the railway applications. In this paper, tests of GNSS jamming scenarios are carried out through a jamming injection platform, with which the different signals that can be utilized in jamming are investigated, including (non-)coherent continuous wave, amplitude modulation, frequency modulation and bandwidth limited noise. The trackmap database is involved to evaluate the precision level of localization under jamming-injected conditions. The result analysis in terms of the cross-track error illustrates the degradation of the receiver under the threats from interferences, although there are different levels and characteristics among the involved jamming signals.

Cooperative localization of the connected vehicles is significant for many advanced intelligent transportation system (ITS) applications. Vehicle-to-vehicle communication using dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) has great potential to enhance global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs) for the capability of cooperative localization. In the integration of DSRC and GNSS, the tolerance against the unknown and time-varying observation conditions is a key factor to fulfill the requirements of several specific ITS applications. Under a GNSS/DSRC integrated architecture for cooperative localization, a novel robust cubature Kalman filter (CKF) is proposed in this paper to improve the performance of the data fusion under uncertain sensor observation environments. In the proposed solution, the structure of the standard CKF is enhanced using the Huber M-estimation technique, in which the original measurement update in the CKF is modified considering the probable anomalies in state estimation. Furthermore, based on the investigation of the adjustment effect from the constraint factor, an adaptive strategy for this parameter is introduced to optimize the performance comprehensively. The proposed method is validated using a specific simulation system. Results of experiment and simulations demonstrate the capability of improving the robustness and adaptive performance over the original filters under the unknown operation conditions.

The accurate and reliable localization of the trains is one decisive factor for a lot of specific location-based railway applications. Considering the cost-efficiency of construction and maintenance, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is an effective approach for train localization systems which aim to replace the track-side Balises with on-board sensors. Thus, the accumulative error of the odometer is calibrated by the GNSS receivers and the autonomy of the on-board equipment is surely improved. In order to cope with the uncertainties in raw sensor measurements, the Bayesian filtering frame is adopted to obtain an accurate estimation of the train's state. Based on that, an enhanced particle filter solution is presented to realize iterative estimation. In this method, the cubature Kalman filter (CKF) is involved to generate the proposal distribution by using the track constraint, which indicates a modified kinematical model and an extended measurement model. The coupling of track constraint is designed to generate the importance proposal distribution for the update stage of the sequential importance sampling. Results from simulation with field data demonstrate the capability of the track-constrained particle filter for train localization using GNSS and odometer, which is with great potential for enabling the next generation GNSS-based railway systems.

A speed trajectory profile indicating the authorized train speed at each position can be used to guide the driver or the automatic train operation (ATO) system to operate the train more efficiently, which is the most important part of the Chinese Train Control System (CTCS) and will decide the safety and efficiency of train operation. The efforts produced by the train to follow the speed trajectory will directly affect the evaluation of train operation. This paper studies the optimization approach for the speed trajectory of high-speed train in a single section. First, we take the energy consumption as the measure of satisfaction of the railway company, and the trip time is being regarded as the passenger satisfaction criterion; then, we present optimal speed trajectory searching strategies under different track characteristics by dividing the section into some subsections according to different speed limitations. After that, we develop a multiobjective optimization model for the speed trajectory, which is subject to the constraints such as safety requirement, track profiles, passenger comfort, and the dynamic performance. For obtaining the Pareto frontier of train speed trajectory, which has equal satisfaction degree on all the objects, a hybrid evolutionary algorithm is designed and applied to solve the model based on the differential evolution and simulating annealing algorithms. By showing some numerical results of simulations, the efficiency of the proposed model and solution methodology is illustrated.

Satellite navigation system, especially the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), has become a significant resource for many transport branches. It is strongly required that BDS is applied in modern railway transportation systems to support the rapid development of Chinese railway infrastructure and services. Currently, the BDS is still in the developing period, and the existing resources are not sufficient to support integrity assurance for many safety-related railway applications. The aim of this paper is therefore to develop a novel integrity monitoring method for the BDS-based train positioning with assistance from the additional dead reckoning system. In this method, the raw measurements of sensors are fused with the Bayesian filtering, and the self-weight adaptive particle swarm optimization with a combined objective function is involved to achieve an effective solution for the horizontal protection level which indicates the integrity capability. Field data are taken to validate effectiveness of the proposed solution and the advantages of the integrated particle fitness strategy. The implementation of this method will be positive for realizing fault detection and isolation for a series of safety-related railway applications based on BDS.

Train operation energy consumption occupies a large proportion of whole rail transport resource consumption. Aiming at improving energy utilization, current research is mainly about saving energy while security and time are limiting conditions. However, actual train operation is a complex process which has strict requirements on safety, energy consumption, precise parking and some other factors. This paper summarizes train control optimization research, analyzes train running characteristics and influential factors, and introduces train traction computing method. Multi-objective Particle Swarm Optimization with inertia weight algorithm is applied to study train operation optimization. With energy-saving, punctuality and precise parking being optimization goals, train operation optimization models and fitness evaluation functions are established. Through optimization, optimal operating condition sequence and corresponding condition conversion points are obtained. Effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is verified by offline simulations, and the results present good optimization performance.

Based on the exploration and development of Train Collision Early Warning System (TCEWS), the safety assurance overlay for high-speed train operation over the railway signaling system is becoming a reality in China. As the rapid development of BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), availability of precise and effective satellite navigation encourages a revolution in railway transportation system. It is becoming a general belief that Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is recommended as the most autonomous, flexible and cost-efficient choice for location-based railway application. However, field experience of BDS-based positioning in train collision warning system tests suggests that several issues should be considered for application aspects. According to the performance requirements, this paper analyzes some significant points of the BDS-based train collision early warning system scheme. It is complemented by comparison and discussion with field test results of BDS and GPS enabled train collision warning implementations, which demonstrate the great potentials of BDS in this novel safety-related service.