Hitachi Review Vol. 54 (2005), No. 4 153

Leading-edge Solutions for Next-generation RailwaySystems

OVERVIEW: Interest in railway systems as a sustainable means of mediumto long-distance mass transit is increasing worldwide. To meet that interestrequires improvements in passenger car quality, even greater environment-friendliness and use of IT to provide information. It also requires moreadvanced train control that involves cooperation between on-board andtrack-side systems through use of broadband communication systems thatemploy wireless links. As a comprehensive railway system integrator, Hitachihas implemented the Nanakuma Subway Line system of the Fukuoka CityTransportation Bureau, the Tsukuba Express railway system of theMetropolitan Intercity Railway Company and a passenger system thatincorporates advanced IT. We also continue to improve quality in the variousaspects of railway transportation systems and to develop advanced systemsolutions.

Takenori Wajima

Keisuke Bekki, Dr. Eng.

Yasushi Yokosuka

INTRODUCTIONTHE railway is an excellent transportation system withrespect to both people and the natural environment,so expectations for effective use of railways in thefuture are on the increase worldwide. Many peoplechoose rail as a means of transportation, and to respondto social expectations, we must further expand onsafety and punctuality, which are the main features ofrail travel, and improve quality in various respects fromthe users’ point of view (see Figs. 1 and 2).

We have been planning the development of

information processing technology to supplement anexisting travel information service system that is usedby the passenger before boarding the train and providesticket issuing, seat reservation and operatinginformation. The control systems that support trainoperation include various kinds of technologyconcerning the railway cars in which passengers rideand the signaling systems and traffic managementsystems, which are the crux of safety support andwhich are moving toward integration into a single,huge system. Efficient functioning of these systems

Fig. 1—Overview ofHitachi TotalSolution RailwaySystem.Hitachi providesbroad support foradvancement inrailway systems thatpushes into the nextgeneration with thedevelopment ofrailway car systems,signal systems, andservice solutions thatemploy IT.

Using fuel cells, etc.

Evolving A-train*

Hybrid propulsion

Train controlOperation management/passenger information

Safe and stable transportationKeeping a pleasant passenger space

Pleasant passenger information service

Environment-friendliness

D-ATC: digital automatic train control

*The “A” in A-train represents an integration of “Advanced, Amenity, Ability and Aluminum”.

Railway carsHigh-speed car

Operation management systemD-ATC

Wireless control

Leading-edge Solutions for Next-generation Railway Systems 154

and control system, we are advancing railwaybroadband services that integrate control andinformation under the B-system (broadband networksystem) concept, which makes use of a broadbandnetwork. In signaling, too, D-ATC (digital automatictrain control) and electronic operation consoles, etc.are used to implement systems that make good use ofIT.

The system solution concept to be developed inthe future is the fusion of systems that have beendeveloped with IT and network technologyindividually to provide new services such as thosedescribed below and to improve quality (see Fig. 3).(1) The evolving A-train and B-system: providing alarge and high-quality car interior at low cost, withinformation services provided through cooperationwith the B-system to provide a ubiquitous space(2) Signaling system: in addition to adding intelligenceto on-board control, achieve a signaling system that isboth safe and flexible by strengthening the cooperationbetween on-board and track-side systems.(3) Passenger and traffic system: promotion of greatersystem intelligence, such as selectively offeringinformation that is appropriate for individualpassengers and responses that are prompt andappropriate according to traffic conditions

By developing such capabilities, we aim to achievepleasant, economical, and safe high-density trafficoperation and to improve business efficiency andmaintainability.

provides safe travel services. We will continue to strivefor even more advanced systems through thedevelopment of information and device technology toachieve railway systems that are even more convenientand easier to use for passengers.

Improvement of the functions of railway systemshas been a goal over the 180 years of railway history,which began in U.K. Now, the social role of rail travelis being reconsidered with hope for solutions to theglobal environment problem, traffic congestion in largeurban areas and other such problems, and there is ademand for development of systems that even morepeople can use in comfort.

Here, we take up the development of Hitachi’sproposed railway system and describe the most recentimplemented solutions.

NEXT-GENERATION RAILWAY SOLUTIONS Hitachi began manufacturing electric locomotives

in 1924. Since then, we have expanded the scope ofour products to provide systems for various aspects ofrailway operation. We have developed systems forsupporting passenger services through early adoptionof electronic technology and network technology,including a large-scale on-line system for seatreservation and a traffic management system.

Regarding the train car, we have been working toimprove comfort and other aspects of quality underthe A-train concept. (The “A” here refers to theintegration of the concepts of Advanced, Amenity,Ability and Aluminum.) Regarding the information

Fig. 2—Requirements for Convenient and Easy to Use RailwaySystem.There are high expectations for railways as a safe andenvironment-friendly transportation system, and there is ademand for evolution of the system from the viewpoint of theuser. Fig. 3—Development Concept for New Railway Systems.

Achieve higher quality and convenience by cooperation ofon-board and track-side systems through IT.

Improved travel quality and convenience

Provide pleasant travel

Information cooperation

Information cooperation

EvolvingA-train

B-system

• IT and network technology

• Intelligent and autonomous control

Ubiquitous mobile space

Passenger andoperation systems

Cooperation of systems via broadband communication

Flexible signaling

Increased intelligence

SignalingsystemModular design

Large car interior

Hitachi Review Vol. 54 (2005), No. 4 155

NEW SOLUTIONS CONCERNING TRAINCARSThe Evolving A-train

Hitachi has already received orders for over 1,000cars that are extended according to the A-trainproposal, and we have taken on the challenge ofdeveloping the latest technology. We are aiming toachieve a thinner structure that insulates against noiseand heat with aluminum double-skin body structuresconstructed by FSW (friction stir welding), whichproduces high-precision car body structures, and tripleskin, which evolved from the basic concept known asmodule fitting (see Fig. 4). We have also given attentionto structures that are installed beneath the floor, whichare largely neglected in conventional car bodyconstruction, and considered the structure of theinverter, moving forward with development orientedto solutions needed for next-generation cars.

We have also concluded formal contracts withHSBC Rail (UK) Ltd. for the supply of A-train cars,and we are proceeding with development of cars thatcan also fully conform with international passengercar standards. Examples include conformance withstandards for improvement of collision safety,guaranteed survival space, and crushable zone impactenergy absorption structures.

We have also begun improvement of invertertechnology as part of the car electrical system, and incollaboration with East Japan Railway Company, havemoved forward with research on hybrid propulsiontechnology in which diesel engines and secondary cellbatteries are used. That technology is generating great

expectations, because steam powered locomotives arestill common worldwide.

Broadband Era B-systemThrough e-Japan and u-Japan Strategies and other

such programs promoted by the Japanese government,broadband information technology is being estab-lished as a fundamental technology for ordinary society.u-Japan in particular plans for various social servicesto be implemented with information communicationtechnology for social life in 2010.

Information communication technology has begunto be employed in train control and signaling as wellas for use in passenger information services, on-boardmail access, and other such services. Taking traincontrol as an example, broadband communicationmakes it possible for advanced control signals, whichhave up to now used physically different communi-cation lines, to be sent and received over the same lineas the large quantities of information involved ininformation services. In addition, communicationbetween systems on the track-side and on-boardsystems on a moving train has, in the past, supportedonly the minimum communication required for thetask. Now, however, the wireless LAN technology andmoving vehicle communication technology that hasbeen developed in recent years is being applied toconstruct an environment that allows access to high-quality communication services even from within amoving train. Hitachi has been developing the B-system,an efficient railway system in which control data andinformation are integrated by connecting various

Fig. 4—Overview of 3000 Series(A-train) Cars for Nanakuma Line ofFukuoka City TransportationBureau.Progression from aluminum double-skin body structures to triple-skinstructures and modular design thatextends as far as to electricalproducts are features of this system.

Independent interior panel module

Interior module (ceiling)

Aluminum double skin

body structureAluminum double skin body structure

Toilet module

Mounting rail

Aluminum double skin

Front mask module

Interior module (side panel)

Mounting rail fastening of module interior

FSW

Driver’scabmodule

Cantilever type long seat

Air-conditioner

Door engine module

Toilet module

Independent moduleinterior

Front cover

Leading-edge Solutions for Next-generation Railway Systems 156

on-board devices and track-side systems via a high-speed, large-capacity communication network (seeFig. 5).

SIGNALING SYSTEMDevelopment of an On-board Main SignalingSystem

IT is also being introduced to the signaling systemin the form of digital ATC, etc. The digital ATC systemmaintains an on-board line database and protectionpatterns, and generates on-board protection patternsbased on the limit of movement authority signal fromthe track to protect the train. This can be seen as aleading-edge system that is moving towards addingintelligence to on-board and track-side systems. Trainlocation is detected from the track circuit and the limitof movement authority for which safe running ispossible is calculated on the track side. The informationis then passed to the train through the track. In thetrain, a running pattern is generated on the basis of thereceived limit of movement authority and the train thenmoves autonomously (see Fig. 6).

In the future, we expect the trend towards on-boardautonomy to continue with even further increases inthe intelligence of on-board systems. The functionswill be divided between track-side train controlsystems for overall safety management and on-boardsystems for autonomous train operation within the

scope of guaranteed safety. Communication betweenthe on-board and track-side systems will allowcooperation between them.

In a typical basic system configuration, the resultsof on-board train location detection are sent to thesystem on the track side, where the information isprocessed. Track-side equipment sends to each trainlimit of movement authority positions for the routeson which operation is safe as well as timelyinformation. The objective is to implement a systemthat allows the various trains that have received theinformation to run safely and autonomously, achievingsafe and flexible train operation based on theoperations schedule, the current operation situation andthe needs of passengers. That requires improvement

Fig. 5—Example of Broadband Communication Application (B-system).Linking track-side systems with on-board systems via a broadband communication network strengthenscooperation between those systems and provides pleasant information services within the passenger cars.

Fig. 6—D-ATC Control Concept.With D-ATC, the train receives stop limitation signals from thetrack circuit for safe autonomous running.

ATC control equipment

Protection pattern

Stop limitation

Track circuit location detection

Route database

ATC: automatic train control

B-systemB-system

IP: Internet ProtocolHA: home agent

FA: foreign agentGW: gateway

MR: mobile routerLCX: leaky coaxial

VVVF: variable voltage, variable frequencyLCD: liquid crystal display

On-board LAN

On-board server

Track-sidesystem

Backbone network

On-board system

Track-side-on-board

communicationsWayside networkStation network

Internet Command center Various typesof servers

Mobile IP central office (HA)

FA/GWFA/GW FA/GW FA/GW

Central officeVVVF unit VVVF unit

Brake Brake

Terminal office

Internet for passengers

Provide information to crew members

On-board Other equipment Other equipment

In-train passengerinformation

Automaticbroadcasting

In-train monitoring

In-train ticket inspection

On-board MR +wireless part

Station precincts

Milliwave wireless Wireless LAN LCXWireless for business, commerce

LCD

Hitachi Review Vol. 54 (2005), No. 4 157

INFORMATION AND CONTROL SYSTEMAND PASSENGER SYSTEM FOREXPANDING COOPERATIONInformation and Control System for ExpandingCooperation

The systems described below were introduced intransportation control systems and automatic operationsystems for newly constructed lines:(1) The transportation management system wasimplemented for the Kyushu Shinkansen which beganoperation on March 13, 2004. In addition to the trafficmanagement system, which handles mainlydispatching, we were responsible for the developmentof the system for transportation planning andmanagement, passenger information system and othersuch systems. For high reliability, the trafficmanagement system employs an FTC (fault tolerantcomputer) for train number comparison and trackcircuit tracing.

A special feature of the Kyushu Shinkansenoperation is a passenger transfer to an older expressline that occurs at the Shin-Yatsushiro Station. Toconduct this transfer in a way that does notinconvenience passengers requires close cooperationconcerning the operating information of theShinkansen line and the older line. To achieve thatcooperation, we developed an interface andimplemented a connection control and connectioninformation system. We thus were able to improve thequality of passenger information services through the

of mobile communication technology and theestablishment of safe on-board location detectiontechnology. Hitachi is pushing forward withdevelopment of that technology. We also believe thatproceeding with this technological development willallow reductions in track-side facilities and cost, aswell as proposals for signaling systems of higherquality (see Fig. 7).

Networked Station Signal Control We are developing a control method that employs

network communication for point control and signalcontrol at stations. Conventionally, the controlfunctions are centralized in the fail-safe devices thatreside in the machine rooms of stations. The localcontrol devices are connected to the machine roomindividually by control lines for control of train coursechanges and signal lamps. The very large amount ofwiring between the machine room and the controlledequipment on the station premises that is required bythis system causes problems in construction andmaintenance. To deal with that problem, Hitachi hascollaborated with East Japan Railway Company todevelop a system in which the machine room and thecontrolled devices are connected by a network.Specifically, fail-safe terminals are installed at the siteof each controlled device and the communication withthe control room required for control is done via thenetwork. This is expected to greatly reduce the numberof above-ground control lines, including power lines,that are laid at times of repair or new construction atstations. We are moving forward with continuousdevelopment of smaller and less expensive terminalsthat can be used in common by various types of stations(see Fig. 8).

Fig. 7—Signaling System with Cooperation between On-boardand Track-side Systems.The train detects its own location on board and operates safelyand flexibly according to signal information received from atrack-side system.

Fig. 8—Example of Networked Signaling System Configuration.Safe ways to use optical passive networks and small fail-safeterminals to greatly reduce wiring at stations are developed.

Track-side control equipment

Flexible operation control

Special stop limitation information

Reduction in track-side facilities

Self-detection of location

Self-detection of train position

Fail-safe local terminal

Highly safe signalcontrol protocol

Machine room

Central controlequipment

Networkinterface

Optical network

Leading-edge Solutions for Next-generation Railway Systems 158

sharing of schedule information and operatinginformation with minimum effect on existing systems(see Fig. 9). (2)We developed a full-automatic operation systemfor Nanakuma Subway Line of the Fukuoka CityTransportation Bureau, which started operation onFebruary 3, 2005. This was the first full-automaticoperation of a subway in Japan. The main factor thathas prevented this in the past is believed to have beenconcern over coping with abnormal situations in masstransit and subway tunnels. To achieve full-automaticoperation requires that there be no stopping of trainsbetween stations, no cause of concern to passengers,and a guarantee of safe train operation. The basicfunctions required to meet these conditions are listedin Table 1.

For that purpose, a function for two-wayinformation transfer between on-board and track-sidesystems is prepared. That allows monitoring of statusof the devices on the train and detection of devicefailures, abnormal vibration and other such states andfast transmission of the data to the dispatcher. For theon-board systems, we also developed technology thatcontributes to safe, fully automatic operation, includingimproved reliability through redundant configuration,running back-up, and instruction from the dispatcher. (3)Monorail system

Hitachi has accumulated much experience as a totalsupplier of straddle-type monorail systems. Hitachi has

manufactured and supplied cars, electrical productsand other components for China’s first urban monorail,which started operation in Chongqing City in June2005 (see Fig. 10).

We plan to actively expand these systems,including the track-side traffic management system andsubstation system, which have been built up from manyyears of development, to overseas markets. (4)The newest Tsukuba Express railway system

For the Tsukuba Express, which began operationin August 2005, Hitachi has supplied TX-2000 Seriescars and was involved in the construction of movableplatform gates, traffic management systems and othersuch work (see Fig. 11). The cars use the latestaluminum double-skin body structures for increasedquietness and strength to achieve a safe and pleasant

Fig. 9—Overview of Kyushu Shinkansen TransportationManagement System.Cooperation between the new Shinkansen transportationmanagement system and an older system was achieved withminimum modification of the existing transportationmanagement system by developing an interface for the older railline.

TABLE 1. Functions Required of Fully Automated SubwaySystemWe are implementing these required safety functions to realizefull-automatic train operation.

Fig. 10—Monorail in Chongqing, China. China’s first urban monorail began operating on June 18,2005.

Router

Router

Speaker

Departureschedule

Station and section systems

Operating console

Transportationplanning andmanagement

system

Passenger information

PRC

Information system,control systemor other LAN

Older line control system LAN

Interface with older line

Older line information LAN

Interface with older line

(1) A means to prevent the stopping of a running car between stations and a means to make it possible for a car to move to the next station even in the event of a stopped train

(2) A redundant system or two-unit equipment configuration for equipment that is directly related to car running so that the function is maintained even if one system or unit stops working.

(3) The running function, the function for communication with the dispatcher, and the functions for prevention of passenger anxiety of the principle devices shall not be lost when the auxiliary power source stops working in trains that have stopped between stations because of loss of power from aerial power lines, etc.

(4) On-board security equipment shall have a redundant configuration of main components and a fail-safe mechanism for the system as a whole.

(5) Cars shall be equipped with a system for rapid evacuation guidance etc. when an abnormality arises in a car.

Functions required

Hitachi Review Vol. 54 (2005), No. 4 159

passenger environment. Our objective was to achievepleasant, high-quality passenger transportation byimplementing driver-only operation, movable platformgates and an ATO (automatic train operation) functionthat increased stopping position accuracy, and a betterpassenger broadcasting and information service toimprove passenger services.

Convenient Passenger SystemsPassenger information services

Railway transportation services are changing fromsimply being a means of transportation to being asystem for supporting the daily life of customers byconstructing a pleasant living space on the lines offlow that connect the places in which railway usersengage in their lifestyles.

Among the passenger services, the gaze rate ofpassengers is high, so the value of various kinds ofinformation provided inside the train car is high forboth the provider and the user. We are therefore settingup an organization to develop LCDs for use withinthe train cars and plasma displays for use in stationsand to provide them as a system. On the NanakumaLine described above, effective advertisementinformation is presented via in-car displays.

Future development of the passenger salessystem

As a pioneer in passenger sales systems, Hitachihas developed various kinds of leading-edgetechnology in the time since the JR Group’s reservationsystem “MARS (multiple access reservation system)”was made practical. One example of that is thedevelopment of an electronic ticket ID (identification)management system. The ubiquitous informationsociety is arriving and, for railways too, the use of IDboarding tickets is expanding and compatibility withmobile devices equipped with IC card functions iscontinuing to progress. We are steadily moving forwardwith the use of open platforms for implementing thosefunctions.

Hitachi will continue to take up the challenge ofproposing total system solutions, drawing on expertisein the construction of information systems forpassenger sales and operation and managementsystems (see Fig. 12).

Fig. 11— Tsukuba Express Car and Platform Gate.TX-2000 series cars (left) and platform gates to support safedriver-only operation (right).

Fig. 12—Overviewof Total SystemConcept forPassenger SalesSystem.Hitachi is taking upthe challenge ofconstructing a totalsystem for thepassenger sales andoperation systemand the managementsystem.

Passengersales

Management solutions

Operation management

Power management Information

services foroperations

Platform for communication between train and track-sidesystems

ERP CRM/SFACustomerintegrationdatabase

Workintegrationdatabase

Flow (SCM)

MaintenanceOperationsat station

Passengerinformation

services

More diversifiedand efficientmanagement

Safe and stabletransportation

Group enterprise

Manager

Instruction

IC cardmanagement

Sales ofgoods

Administration support network

Informationservice

Station

Outdoorsection

On-board

IC tag

Physicalsecurity

Work network

Control systemnetwork

Control systemnetwork

Control systemnetwork

ERP: enterprise resource planning CRM: customer relationship managementSFA: sales force automation SCM: supply chain management

Leading-edge Solutions for Next-generation Railway Systems 160

ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY SUBSTATIONSYSTEM

The most recent railway substation systemsemphasize the need for environment-friendliness, low-loss, compactness and low maintenance. To meet thoseneeds, products such as environment-friendly SF6-gasless switches, silicon-filled transformers, and low-loss eco-rectifiers are being developed. We have alsodeveloped a storage battery regenerated energyabsorption system that employs the same lithium ionbatteries that are used in hybrid automobiles to makeeffective use of regenerated power. Field experimentsthat are currently in progress point to the practicalityof this system (see Fig. 13).

CONCLUSIONSWe have described systems that have been

implemented by Hitachi, focusing on the direction ofthe development of Hitachi’s new railway total solutionproposal.

In the future, it will be necessary to implementpassenger services of even higher quality so that evenmore people will be able to use railways in comfort,in addition to providing a safe and punctual railwaysystem. Taking a world-wide view, Japanese

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Takenori WajimaJoined Hitachi, Ltd. in 1980, and now works at theRolling Stock Engineering Department, the Rolling

Stock System Division, the Transportation Systems

Division, the Industrial Systems. He is currentlyengaged in railway car system engineering.

Mr. Wajima is a member of The Institute of Electrical

Engineers of Japan (IEEJ).

Keisuke BekkiJoined Hitachi, Ltd. in 1984 and now works at theSystem Solution Department, the Transportation

Systems Division, the Industrial Systems.

He is currently engaged in work on railway systemsolutions. Dr. Bekki is a member of IEEJ,

The Institute of Electronics, Information and

Communication Engineers (IEICE), and InformationProcessing Society of Japan (IPSJ).

Yasushi YokosukaJoined Hitachi, Ltd. in 1984, and now works at the

Railway Traffic Systems Unit, the 3rd Department of

Systems Research, Hitachi Research Laboratory.He is currently engaged in the development of

railway information and control systems.

Mr. Yokosuka is a member of IEEJ and IEICE.

(a) Regenerative energyabsorbing equipment

(b) Dry-air insulatedswitchgear

Fig. 13—Example of Substation Equipment that is Friendly tothe Environment.Achieving effective use of regenerated power and SF6 gaslessequipment implements a typical environmentally-friendlysubstation.

technology is attracting more attention from othercountries in Europe and Asia and beyond, creatingexpectations for steady global expansion.

Hitachi, as a railway total system integrator, willcontinue to propose solutions for even higher levelsof quality in the future.

REFERENCES(1) K. Kera et al., “Latest Total Solution for Railway Systems,”

Hitachi Hyoron 85, pp. 539-544 (Aug. 2003) in Japanese.(2) K. Kera et al., “Hitachi Total Solutions for Support of Railway

Systems and Services,” Hitachi Hyoron 83, pp. 504-510 (Aug.2001) in Japanese.

(3) H. Nakamura, “Railways and Progress in Electrical andElectronic Technology,” Railway & Electrical Engineering,Vol.15, No.1, 7 - 13 (Jan. 2004) in Japanese.

(4) K. Sawada, “Comparison of Railways and other TransportationSystems,” RRR Vol. 60, No. 6, pp. 2-5 (June 2003) in Japanese.