Kavach Safety System: Indigenous Automatic Train Protection System | UPSC Notes

Unveiling the Kavach Safety System

The Kavach, a homegrown Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, is a remarkable innovation by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in partnership with the Indian industry.

• Kavach is a cutting-edge electronic system that complies with the highest safety standards known as Safety Integrity Level 4 (SIL-4).
• The system's primary function is to protect trains by preventing them from crossing the Red (danger) signal, thereby avoiding potential collisions.
• Kavach is one of the most cost-effective, SIL-4 certified technologies, with an error probability of 1 in 10,000 years.

Working Mechanism of the Kavach System

The Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), a crucial component of Kavach, facilitates two-way communication between the station master and the loco-pilot using equipment onboard the locomotive and transmission towers at stations equipped with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags.

• The dashboard inside the cabin alerts the loco-pilot about the upcoming signal and the safe speeds to be maintained.
• In case a red signal is missed, and two trains are on a collision course, the technology automatically intervenes and applies emergency brakes.
• The system also includes an automatic Hooter that activates when approaching a level crossing, a particularly useful feature in foggy conditions when visibility is compromised.
• In emergencies, the system can also send out SoS messages. Additionally, the Network Monitor System enables centralized live monitoring of train movements.

Source: Hindustan Times

Kavach Deployment Strategy:

• The South Central Railway (SCR) Zone is leading the implementation of KAVACH – (TACS). As of March 2023, the Kavach system has been deployed over 1,465 km within the SCR boundaries, covering 77 locomotives and 135 stations.