GROUP 1

AXLE COUNTER MECHANISM &

CALCULATION

Izzat Hakim Dineswar

Ariff Hilmi Faiz
 WHAT IS AXLE COUNTER ?

• An axle counter is a device on a railway that detects the passing of a train between
two points on a track.
• A counting head (or 'detection point') is installed at each end of the section, and as
each train axle passes the counting head at the start of the section, a counter
increments.
• A detection point comprises two independent sensors, therefore the device can
detect the direction and speed of a train by the order and time in which the
sensors are passed.
• As the train passes a similar counting head at the end of the section, the counter
compares count at the end of the section with that recorded at the beginning.
 HOW IT WORKS ?

• If the two counts are the same, the section is presumed to be clear for a second train.
• This is carried out by safety critical computers called 'evaluators' which are centrally
located, with the detection points located at the required sites in the field.
• The detection points are either connected to the evaluator via dedicated copper cable
or via a telecommunications transmission system.
• This allows the detection points to be located significant distances from the evaluator.
• This is useful when using centralised interlocking equipment but less so when signalling
equipment is distributed at the lineside in equipment cabinets.
 EXAMPLES

Figure 1: An axle counter detection point in the UK Figure 2: A Modern type axle counter
 ADVANTAGES

• Track circuits are sensitive to ballast resistance, power fluctuations, and other track conditions while
Axle Counters are not. In wet conditions, when the ballast resistance generally drops, track circuit
operation is less reliable.
• Axle counter applications are independent of track bedding and ballast, which means they can be
used with steel structures (bridges), concrete or wood ties, and embedded rails.
• It does not get affected either by flooding of track or poor maintenance of tracks unlike the
track circuit, which is highly susceptible to these conditions.
• Track circuits consume a significant amount of electrical power and involve elaborate power supply
equipment and cabling which can lead to frequent maintenance. Axle counters consume very low
electrical power, simple cabling, and are virtually maintenance free.
 DISADVANTAGES

• Reset requirement
• if for any reason there is a failure (possibly a loss of power during a train
movement), axle counters must be manually reset (the default start up mode
is to create an occupied block).
• Axle counters, unlike closed loop track circuits, do not provide
broken rail protection.
• Although there is a great deal of controversy in the industry as to the
percentage of broken rails actually detected by track circuits before they are
traversed by a train, axle counters will not detect any break whatsoever.
 APPLICATION

• Automatic Signaling systems.

The most common way that ABS systems detect track

occupancy (by a train or obstruction) is through the use of
electrical track circuits. A low-voltage current is sent
through the track between the signals and is detected to
determine whether the circuit is closed, open, or shorted. A
train's metal wheels and axles will pass current from one rail
to the other, thereby shorting (shunting) the circuit. If the
ABS system detects that the circuit is shorted between two
signals, it understands that a train, or obstruction is
occupying that block and will "drop" the signals (display a
restricting or stop indication) on either side of that block to
prevent another train from entering (if the block is governed
by a positive stop).
 COMPONENT PART

The main components of the system are:

• Outdoor equipment (detection points in the track area)
• Information transmission equipment (cables)
• Indoor equipment (evaluation, indication & resetting)
The design of axle caunter on track or rail
How its work
 C ALCULATION FOR AXLE COUNTER

• Gross slipping will occur at a combination

of speed and axle counter deflection given :

• The angular acceleration of the axle in yaw

is: