# Transmission-based train control

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Railway signaling technology

**Transmission-based train control** (**TBTC**) is a communication technology protocol used in [railway signaling](/source/Railway_signalling).[1] It encapsulates all railway signaling methodologies or frameworks that rely on the communication between the control room, trackside systems and onboard systems to ensure safe train movements.[2]

## Background

Transmission-based train control (TBTC) uses [induction loop](/source/Induction_loop) technology to facilitate communication between onboard systems and trackside systems.[3]

## Types of transmission-based train control

### Positive train control

[Positive Train control](/source/Positive_train_control) is a type of [automatic train protection system](/source/Train_protection_system) that prevents train-to-train collision, over speeding and unauthorized train movements.[4] It used GPS technology and wireless radio to calculate safe distances between trains to transmit [movement authority](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Movement_authority&action=edit&redlink=1) from the onboard controllers on the following train, to the wayside controllers to prevent collision with the leading train. [Positive Train Control](/source/Positive_train_control) calculates train stopping distances and prompts [locomotive](/source/Locomotive) engineers to slow down based on each train’s weight, length, speed and track terrain. The sophisticated safety system automatically stops trains if engineers do not respond in a timely manner, preventing certain accidents caused by human error including train-to-train collisions.[5]

### Communication-based train control

According to the IEEE 1474 (1999), [communications-based train control](/source/Communications-based_train_control) (CBTC) is a continuous, [automatic train control](/source/Automatic_train_control) system utilizing high-resolution train location determination, independent of track circuits and continuous communication between train onboard systems and wayside systems.[6] They rely on Wi-Fi or LTE radio technology to establish this bi-directional communication between the train and wayside controllers.[2]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Farooq, Jahanzeb; Soler, José (2017). "Radio Communication for Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC): A Tutorial and Survey". *IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials*. **19** (3): 1377–1402. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1109/comst.2017.2661384](https://doi.org/10.1109%2Fcomst.2017.2661384). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [20403360](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:20403360).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-handoff_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-handoff_2-1) Zhu, Li; Yu, Fei Richard; Ning, Bin; Tang, Tao (2012-07-09). ["Handoff management in communication-based train control networks using stream control transmission protocol and IEEE 802.11p WLANs"](https://doi.org/10.1186%2F1687-1499-2012-211). *EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking*. **2012** (1): 211. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1186/1687-1499-2012-211](https://doi.org/10.1186%2F1687-1499-2012-211). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1687-1499](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1687-1499).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Tan, B. T. G. (March 2019). ["The Physics of Railway Signalling"](https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S266133951950001X). *The Physics Educator*. **01** (1): 1950001. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1142/S266133951950001X](https://doi.org/10.1142%2FS266133951950001X). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [2661-3395](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2661-3395).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["An Introduction to Positive Train Control | Metrolink"](https://metrolinktrains.com/rider-info/safety--security/positive-train-control/). *metrolinktrains.com*. Retrieved 2024-04-16.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Cole, Rachel. ["Research Guides: Rail Transportation: Positive Train Control"](https://libguides.northwestern.edu/c.php?g=114812&p=5515581). *libguides.northwestern.edu*. Retrieved 2024-04-16.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Ogunsola, Ade; Reggiani, Ugo; Sandrolini, Leonardo (September 2007). ["Demonstrating signalling compatibility between two train control systems"](https://dx.doi.org/10.1109/emczur.2007.4388270). *2007 18th International Zurich Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility*. IEEE. pp. 361–364. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1109/emczur.2007.4388270](https://doi.org/10.1109%2Femczur.2007.4388270). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-3-9523286-1-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-9523286-1-3).

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Transmission-based train control](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmission-based_train_control) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmission-based_train_control?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.