Stability Analysis of Train Following Model with Multiple Communication Delays

In dense traffic regions, moving block railway signalization systems are utilized instead of fixed block systems. In a moving block approach, exact location of the consequent trains has to be determined which brings stability problem of keeping safe distance headway between the trains. In this study, the train following problem with multiple communication time delays between the trains and the wayside control unit is handled. The problem is modeled as a linear time invariant multiple time delay system (LTI-MTDS) for two different scenarios. Stability boundaries with respect to time delays for an appropriate following distance are obtained by using the Cluster Treatment of Characteristic Roots (CTCR) Technique with Extended Kronecker Summation Method and the results are validated via simulations.