Testing of Optical Sensors in Measuring Systems on Railway Marshalling Yard

The paper describes the research in the field of improving the principles of control in railway transport. The possibilities of using optical sensors in the system of providing train traffic in place of traditional rail circuits operating on the basis of electric current are considered. The way of installation and fastening of sensors to railway rails is described, as well as the principle of linking them to the system. A block diagram of the system for recording the parameters of moving units based on optical sensors is given. The results of experimental investigations of sensors on the «Shushary» marshalling yard of the October Railway of Russian Railways are described with the participation of the authors. It is shown that optical sensors can be used for the positioning of conveyance units, but it is proposed to expand the sensor functions from discrete control to the means of measuring a number of crucial parameters of conveyance units.