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V.2(62), 2025
137-146This article examines the enhancement of local control and monitoring systems for railway turnouts at stations based on wireless technologies. Instead of the traditional four-wire turnout control scheme, a wireless communication system utilizing a microcontroller and LoRa radio module is proposed. A custom-developed application installed on a tablet authenticates users via login credentials, password, and an NFC card. The application provides functionalities such as viewing the current status of the turnout, switching it to the required position, sending control commands, and recording and archiving operational data. Each command issued is saved both in the tablet’s internal storage (local database) and in a remote server database via the internet. For every command, parameters such as date, username, turnout number, status, and type of operation performed are logged. The newly developed scheme and mobile application enable wireless control of turnouts from the locomotive cabin, creating the possibility of performing shunting operations without the involvement of a shunting operator. The article presents the system’s operating algorithm, user interface, schematic solutions, and key functions of the tablet application. Furthermore, a structural diagram of the wireless turnout control system and a practical model based on an experimental prototype are provided. During the development of the software and hardware solutions, the requirements for ensuring traffic safety based on switch control schemes were thoroughly analyzed and taken into account through the following measures: prior to switching to local control, the section’s occupancy status is automatically verified; the switch position is visually indicated on the tablet; and all commands issued by the user are archived in both local and server databases. Furthermore, the ability to remotely control the switch enables safe operation without the involvement of a maneuvering agent. The proposed approach is considered technically suitable and practice-oriented for implementation in the automation of railway infrastructure.
