Passive Switch
Distances for Track Switching at 160 km/h
- Active switches with conventional trains
With conventional track switches, any two vehicles have to keep a minimum distance that is determined mainly by the switching time as well as the braking distance (in case the switching was flawed). At a speed of 160 km/h this distance is more than 2 km.
- Passive switch with actively steering vehicle
In the RailCab system a passive switch is used in combination with an active steering. This enables convoy operation where some vehicles can exit the convoy at full speed even at distances of less than 1 m.
When passing through a passive switch the axle always adjusts itself according to the continuous stock rail on the side that indicates the direction of the journey. In advance of the passive track switch, the stock rails diverge, allowing the axle to turn left or right.
In the event of a malfunction during the steering process, a mechanical directional interlocking makes sure the vehicle is safely guided past the switch.