Help
Automatic Driving Concepts
Automatic driving is not a single switch. RailKernel combines a known train position, reliable feedback, protected blocks, correctly set accessories and a safe route into one continuously supervised movement.
Manual, assisted and automatic driving
In manual driving you control speed and direction yourself. Assisted operation can still use RailKernel information and safety checks while you remain in control. During automatic driving, RailKernel plans movement, reserves the required railway, sets accessories and controls the train. You can always monitor the operation and intervene when necessary.
Locomotives and trains
A locomotive supplies the address, decoder functions and calibrated driving behaviour. A train adds its complete physical length and operational identity. RailKernel drives a train rather than an abstract decoder address, because braking, block capacity and safe clearance depend on the complete consist.
Blocks and feedback contacts
Blocks divide the railway into sections that can be occupied and protected. Feedback contacts tell RailKernel where a train has actually arrived or departed. A block may contain several feedback sections, but occupancy is meaningful only when their addresses, positions and direction inside the block are correct.
Reservations and the driving corridor
Before a train may proceed, RailKernel reserves a corridor ahead of it. This corridor contains the required blocks, the accessories between them and any intervening track without feedback detection. A reservation prevents another automatic movement from claiming the same infrastructure. As the train advances, cleared parts can be released and new parts reserved.
Routes and free moves
A route is a reusable, ordered path through blocks and accessories. A free move lets RailKernel search the layout graph for a suitable path to a destination. Route search can consider block direction, occupied blocks, distance and the number of accessories. Always inspect the route preview before saving or starting an unfamiliar movement.
Turnouts and accessories
Every turnout and other relevant accessory in the corridor must be reserved and set to the required position before the train reaches it. The logical position in RailKernel must match the physical device. An accessory that fails to move can invalidate an otherwise correct route, so recurring hardware failures must be repaired and unreliable devices should be identified.
Speed, braking and dwell time
RailKernel uses locomotive calibration, train properties, block lengths, feedback positions and speed limits to control movement. Braking begins early enough to reach the required target speed or stop point. A dwell time keeps a train in a block for a planned interval before automatic operation continues.
Safety, conflicts and Emergency Stop
A train may move only when its required corridor is available and consistent. Conflicting reservations, unexpected feedback, failed accessories or loss of position can stop or pause operation. Emergency Stop removes traction power as quickly as the connected command stations allow. Determine the cause and confirm the physical situation before releasing the railway again.
Starting an automatic journey
Place the train in its actual starting block, verify its direction and confirm that its length and locomotive are correct. Choose or generate a route, inspect the preview and check that the destination is suitable. Begin with one dependable train at modest speed before adding simultaneous movements.
Monitoring and intervening
The Train Monitor shows the current movement, reservations and pauses. The Feedback Monitor and Accessory Monitor show the infrastructure states on which decisions are based, while the Drive Log explains the operational sequence. If a train behaves unexpectedly, stop safely and inspect these views before changing the project.