Signalling and Operation Systems Technology Division
Profile
The Signalling and Operation Systems Technology Division is composed of three laboratories of Signalling Systems, Train Control Systems, and Transport Operation Systems. Our division conducts research and development on signalling safety and train control systems, both essential for ensuring safe and stable railway transport. Additionally, the division explores operations planning and management, typically including timetables, vehicles, and crew scheduling. Moreover, to establish innovative railway systems in the future, we are actively involved in research and development activities that integrate Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and other cutting-edge digital technologies with existing railway-specific technologies pertaining to safety and railway operations.
Introduction
Trains are operated safely and stably based on train timetables. The Signalling Technology Research Division is engaged in research and development in the technical fields related to the creation and implementation of operation plans as typified by train timetables and vehicle and crew operations, as well as signalling systems, which are the foundation for safe and stable transportation. Our strength lies in the fact that our three laboratories work together to implement a series of processes from train operation planning, to logical control, to the hardware devices that operate the actual equipment.
With the advancement of AI and other digital technologies, safer and more advanced train operations utilizing those technologies are expected. We aim to quickly resolve current issues by combining our proprietary technologies related to railway safety and operation with the latest digital technologies, and to build innovative railway systems that are not bound by existing concepts by taking advantage of our strengths.
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mitsuyoshi Fukuda</span> - Director, Signalling and Operation Systems Technology Division</div>
Laboratories and their field
Signalling Systems
The Signalling Systems laboratory is in charge of research and development of signal equipment containing track circuits, ATP (Automatic Train Protection), and switch machines. This lab is also in charge of safety assessment of signalling systems and investigation of failure, and EMC evaluation of new cars for signalling equipment.
Train Control Systems
The Train Control Systems laboratory is in charge of the research and development of train control systems with new technologies and safety assessments of signalling systems.
Transport Operation Systems
The Transport Operation Systems laboratory is in charge of the research and development of systems and algorithms, the analysis of train delay, congestion and passenger flow in transport, to support transport operations.
Research Division
- Vehicle Structure Technology Division
- Vehicle Control Technology Division
- Structure Technology Division
- Power Supply Technology Division
- Track Technology Division
- Disaster Prevention Technology Division
- Signalling and Operation Systems Technology Division
- Information and Communication Technology Division
- Materials Technology Division
- Railway Dynamics Division
- Environmental Engineering Division
- Human Science Division
- Maglev Systems Technology Division
- Center for Railway Earthquake Engineering Research
- Vehicle Structure Technology Division
- Vehicle Control Technology Division
- Structure Technology Division
- Power Supply Technology Division
- Track Technology Division
- Disaster Prevention Technology Division
- Signalling and Operation Systems Technology Division
- Information and Communication Technology Division
- Materials Technology Division
- Railway Dynamics Division
- Environmental Engineering Division
- Human Science Division
- Maglev Systems Technology Division
- Center for Railway Earthquake Engineering Research