Grade Crossing Control Systems:

Increased availability with Frauscher Axle Counters for Crossing using Track Circuits

  • The Frauscher Advanced Counter FAdC is not affected by rusty rails, snow, road salt, flooding, debris or conductivity
  • No drilling of rail required to install Wheel Sensors RSR180
  • Flexible and configurable outputs including relay and Ethernet-based solutions
  • Vital, SIL 4 fail-safe system that’s detects trains up to 280 mph
  • Remotely accessible diagnostics for preventative maintenance with the Frauscher Diagnostics System FDS reduces overall costs and worker time on track
Grade Crossing Control System
Rail Road Crossing

Application Options:

In DC track circuit-activated crossings, the replacement of only the island circuits with axle counters 

  • Island circuits are the most challenging part of DC track circuit-based crossings, since they easily collect road salt and debris
  • In this application, only the island circuit (middle track section) is replaced with two Wheel Sensors RSR180 (TS 2 in figure below)

Full replacement of DC track circuits that activate crossing

  • Axle counters interface with existing crossing controllers using the optocoupler, relay or Ethernet outputs
  • The DC track circuits in the crossing are replaced for all track sections (TS 1, TS 2, TS 3 in figure below)

Track Section Diagram

Switch Point Protection and Yard Automation 

Increasing Uptime, Reliability and Worker Safety

  • Use of wheel sensors and axle counters in years where hand-thrown switches and manual routing procedures are being utilised can improve efficiency and safety
  • The Frauscher Advanced Counter FAdCi system offers switch and flank protection, zero speed capability and handling of vehicle wheel rocking
  • Offers quick release of switches after traversing to route next train, provides flank protection to switches, and tracks axle counts within configurable track sections
  • Provides high uptime and availability in busy yard environments – increases safety as workers are not required on track for switching manoeuvres

Application Options:

For fully automated yard applications: 

  • The FAdCi is a vital, SIL 3 fail-safe axle counter, used in conjunction with the Wheel Sensor RSR180
  • FAdCi detects trains from zero speed to 50mph
  • Minimal maintenance is required 
  • The FAdC is also available, offering SIL 4 fail-safe protections and train detection from zero speed to 280mph

In switch point protection only solutions:

  • The Frauscher Wheel Sensor RSR110 is installed around each switch
  • Train detection can occur via analog signal. Digital output is also available
Axle Counter
Axle Counter installed onto tracks

Track Circuits vs. Axle Counters

Track Circuits: 

  • Reliability can decrease due to unavoidable factors such as flooding, snow, road salt, rusty rails, debris, etc.
  • Installation and especially life-cycle maintenance costs are high
  • Track section length is limited to two miles maximum
  • Frequent maintenance and train passage required (every few days) to prevent rusty rails and decreased conductivity
  • Drilling of the rail and insulated rail joints are required for installation. Insulated rail joints are expensive to maintain
  • Wiring could make removal of track circuit difficult, so damage may occur during routine track maintenance
  • Capabilities include track vacancy detection, rail break detection (if clean break) and cab signalling

Axle Counters:

  • Virtually immune to environmental factors such as flooding, snow, road salt, rusty rails, debris (can be affected by metallic debris), etc.
  • Low installation, maintenance and life-cycle costs
  • Track section length is theoretically unlimited, depending on network structure (important for dark territory applications)
  • Low maintenance requirements due to remote calibration and diagnostics, reducing need for regular maintenance. Train passage required only once in two years
  • Wheel sensors are attached to the rail, without drilling, with the rail claw. Each sensor can be installed in about five minutes
  • The rail claw will permanently attach the sensor to the rail; however, it can also be easily removed, height adjusted or relocated if needed for track maintenance
  • Capabilities include track vacancy detection, determination of speed, train direction and number of axles

Visit us at Railway Interchange Booth #3756

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Address:

Frauscher Sensor Technology
Gewerbestraße 1
4774 St. Marienkirchen
AUSTRIA

Contact:

Call: +43 7711 2920-0

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