Raksha Kavach- networked ACDs & my grandson
How it began…
Too many lives lost on
double line operations of trains either by side collisions because of a
derailed wagon or coach obstructing the adjacent track or by sheer head-on
collision deeply hurt me , that we as a system are not offering a safer travel
to public who are trusting us with their lives. Ordering one more inquiry as a routine , was proving
to be too often repeated gimmick, which even the appointing authority started
wondering about its efficacy. A ghastly accident moved the Honble Minister so
much that he took responsibility and resigned- but engineers / professionals simply
shrugged it off. In fact some senior engineers at the very highest levels
expressed helplessness in my presence to a staff union leader that technical
solution is not available for such cases- and drivers and passengers are at
risk at this juncture.
August 99-first concept & Khanna
committee
Having heard in August 99
this conversation, I came back with a resolve that we can find a practical
solution in this age of instant radio communications and very economic microprocessors . It was on 30 Aug 1999 that I dictated a
scheme in one page document that we can provide limited 3 to 4 km range
broadcast digital radio trans-receivers with necessary intelligence built into
a microprocessor device , when mounted on two
approaching locomotives , enable them to
mutually identify ,shake hands and if normal move on, or else, initiate
automatic brake application to control train speeds to 10 kmph. For
self-location GPS (global position satellite systems) are planned to be used.
The intention is to merely prevent collision and not to have positive train
control system. That makes the system simpler to design. Then I wrote to Khanna
commission that we can try this anti-collission device. Shri Vaish one of the
members reacted to me , that I being a Corporation,
why not do it myself?
A war like target- 90
days to produce prtotype…
I set a 90 day war like target and based
on hourly project monitoring , at my level, using all the powers
vested , produced the first experimental set up and demonstrated the same to
CRB on
The first field prototype we set
out to produce by 1st week of December 99 and we successfully
demonstrated actually on locomotives how the concept works successfully in the
3rd and 4 th weeks of December 99- All the CRSs ,Khanna
Committee as well as Minister of Railways and Minister of State for Railways
witnessed the demonstrations as to how the ACDs can prevent the collision type
of accidents.
Greatest technical challenge…
The toughest challenge was, how to make the GPS which has only 20 to 30m accuracy,
to differentiate tracks which are located 5 m from each other. If some one
gives the track ID, that is the tack on which the loco is travelling, then all
the protection is available . But I wanted to make it
totally self-sufficient and independent of any human inputs.
Even the GPS was not seen by anyone in my
organisation and to get one in normal course has its own problems. Daily I used
to work ( even now I continue this habit) on internet from 10pm to midnight ,
searching the sites and finally after checking specifications – and using my
son also to research for me – he is in USA- a software expert- short listed a
few models.. I ordered for a GPS on the internet itself using my VISA card (at
Connecting it to my laptop first I learned
how to use the same. In mobile condition- between office and residence checked
the same. Finally idea came when I was carrying the laptop in my hands and
watching the display as my grandson aged 5 yrs walked ahead with GPS in his
hand, in our lawn:
When he reversed his direction of walking,
making me turn and follow him , I found the GPS is
extremely sensitive and immediately showed the change in angle- even at the
walking speed of my grandson. That actually triggered a
thought process that if GPS has this sensitivity to detect change in angle,
then why not use this to detect the locomotive taking a turn on the
turnout to change its track. Thus I formulated the Deviation Count theory- for
locomotives moving in the yard- the change and reversal- of angle of loco
motive when it negotiates turnout in a station is now mathematically related to
continuously plot the changes in the track identification that the train is
occupying. This step has revolutionised the ACD design, by catapulating the
system to acquire the magical intelligence of deriving its own track
identification, by using the Deviation theory- first time in the world- to the
best of my knowledge. ( scientists from ISRO and BARC
too appreciated that it is really a break-through)
Blessings and guidance from wise
men…
This entire formulation of theory I
took 15 days to make, and developed the necessary software for the same using
first difference equations to have real time computing. At every stage I
subjected myself voluntarily to be examined by the Advisory Council formed of
renowned scientists and engineers from ISRO, BARC, DoT, NCST, DoE’s Soft ware
quality testing centres and TIFR. I am grateful for the positive and constructive
criticism and encouragement received from them.
Those having the knowledge of GPS
therefore, initially made too many jokes assuming that I cannot be knowing the weakness of GPS in not being able to differentiate
one track from another- over looking my proposed Deviation Count theory. Yes it
required daily additional 5 to 6 hours of work over next 6 months personally by
me to perfect the practical implementation of theory, to satisfy seemingly impossible,
unlikely to be required in practice most of the time, but in the estimate of
those in charge of clearing the device, likely to expose and fail my proposal-
thus spurring me to take the challenge. But thanks to encouragement at the
highest Ministerial levels and support received from the team within Konkan
Railway and eminent scientists from BARC and ISRO who encouraged me personally
by being with me- we succeeded beyond expectations.
ACD is more than a mere Raksha
Kavach—paradigm shift in train operations..
In fact
credit should be given to all my railway friends who did not believe in me,
thus forcing me to even further improve and write new logic- with the result ,
from simple anti-collision device , I am now able to offer a moving block
system with cab-signalling and further a paradigm shift in train control at
stations- by evolving Sat-dham system- eliminating fixed signals and cabling
and more economical and logically straightforward, simple but safer & truly
train and station route interlocked system- unique in the world. I have filed
for patents for the Sat-dham system also in addition for ACD.(
all assigned to Konkan railway and the President)
Operations will undergo a truly
revolutionary change with the implementation of ACD –Raksha Kavach and Sat–dham
system at stations coupled with Moving
block system , where with hardly 20% of currently planned capital outlay,
planned increased future capacity can be handled with improved safety. This
further leads to ultimate development of Intelligent transport systems – the
new millenium’s dream- which our
A Prayer..
I consider myself only as a fortunate
medium for transmitting the solution to our really challenging risk prone
railway operations- by way of proposing and proving the ACD. It took less
than 6 months of hard and creative work to prove - but more than 18
months to go through our bureaucratic correspondence having no value addition,
finally to get our Minister dedicate to Nation the Raksha Kavach.
Perhaps now at least we cannot allow
another life handed over in trust to us , to be lost
on railway , in another accident routinely classified as human failure! Declare
war against accidents- PRAY act now. We
must hasten with Raksha Kavach and cannot deny our countrymen and drivers by
delaying the same!
Yes , I fondly recollect the small steps taken
by my grandson, on a pleasantly sunlit green lawn with GPS in his little hands
, leading me , with his big eyes looking back at me with upturned head, for approval
whether he is walking correctly- he gave me the break-through solution- and it
is for our future generations made up by children represented by my little
grand son-that we give our best today. ACD and Raksha Kavach belongs to them!