Methodology for Studying the Reliability of Interlocking Devices in Bulgarian Railways
Railway signalling systems must ensure the safe movement of trains and the reliability of the operation of their components is of utmost importance. One of the main components is the interlocking devices, which provide secure, safe and reliable interaction between points and signals in the controlle...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| author | Emiliya Dimitrova Vasil Dimitrov |
| author_facet | Emiliya Dimitrova Vasil Dimitrov |
| author_sort | Emiliya Dimitrova |
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| description | Railway signalling systems must ensure the safe movement of trains and the reliability of the operation of their components is of utmost importance. One of the main components is the interlocking devices, which provide secure, safe and reliable interaction between points and signals in the controlled railway station area, and the safe movement of trains in this area depends on their proper functioning. In this article, the failures of the signalling devices in the Bulgarian railways over a three-year period (2020–2022) are analysed and processed according to a developed methodology. First, a statistical assessment of device failures is performed, comparing the number and duration of failures of different types of equipment, and calculating proportional ratios. Second, a reliability analysis is carried out and the reliability indicators are determined—mean time between failures <i>MTBF</i>, intensity of failure flow, availability and unavailability coefficients. The obtained results clearly demonstrate the need for determination of the complex reliability indicators. They give the clearest assessment of the state of the devices. If only a statistical assessment of failures and their duration is made or if only simple reliability indicators are calculated, erroneous conclusions can be drawn regarding maintenance and the need for modernization. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-06ff5d0c61ea4bae8bf14f16c81e9afe |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-06ff5d0c61ea4bae8bf14f16c81e9afe2025-08-20T02:17:19ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-04-01158417810.3390/app15084178Methodology for Studying the Reliability of Interlocking Devices in Bulgarian RailwaysEmiliya Dimitrova0Vasil Dimitrov1Department of Telecommunications and Signalling, Faculty of Telecommunications and Electrical Equipment in Transport, Todor Kableshkov University of Transport, 158 Geo Milev Str., 1574 Sofia, BulgariaDepartment of Electrical Power Supply and Electrical Equipment in Transport, Faculty of Telecommunications and Electrical Equipment in Transport, Todor Kableshkov University of Transport, 158 Geo Milev Str., 1574 Sofia, BulgariaRailway signalling systems must ensure the safe movement of trains and the reliability of the operation of their components is of utmost importance. One of the main components is the interlocking devices, which provide secure, safe and reliable interaction between points and signals in the controlled railway station area, and the safe movement of trains in this area depends on their proper functioning. In this article, the failures of the signalling devices in the Bulgarian railways over a three-year period (2020–2022) are analysed and processed according to a developed methodology. First, a statistical assessment of device failures is performed, comparing the number and duration of failures of different types of equipment, and calculating proportional ratios. Second, a reliability analysis is carried out and the reliability indicators are determined—mean time between failures <i>MTBF</i>, intensity of failure flow, availability and unavailability coefficients. The obtained results clearly demonstrate the need for determination of the complex reliability indicators. They give the clearest assessment of the state of the devices. If only a statistical assessment of failures and their duration is made or if only simple reliability indicators are calculated, erroneous conclusions can be drawn regarding maintenance and the need for modernization.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/8/4178railway transportsignalling systemsinterlocking devicesfailuresstatistical analysisreliability indicators |
| spellingShingle | Emiliya Dimitrova Vasil Dimitrov Methodology for Studying the Reliability of Interlocking Devices in Bulgarian Railways Applied Sciences railway transport signalling systems interlocking devices failures statistical analysis reliability indicators |
| title | Methodology for Studying the Reliability of Interlocking Devices in Bulgarian Railways |
| title_full | Methodology for Studying the Reliability of Interlocking Devices in Bulgarian Railways |
| title_fullStr | Methodology for Studying the Reliability of Interlocking Devices in Bulgarian Railways |
| title_full_unstemmed | Methodology for Studying the Reliability of Interlocking Devices in Bulgarian Railways |
| title_short | Methodology for Studying the Reliability of Interlocking Devices in Bulgarian Railways |
| title_sort | methodology for studying the reliability of interlocking devices in bulgarian railways |
| topic | railway transport signalling systems interlocking devices failures statistical analysis reliability indicators |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/8/4178 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT emiliyadimitrova methodologyforstudyingthereliabilityofinterlockingdevicesinbulgarianrailways AT vasildimitrov methodologyforstudyingthereliabilityofinterlockingdevicesinbulgarianrailways |