Kavach 4.0

Why in news?

The Union Ministry of Railways is set to fast-track the deployment of the latest version of its indigenous anti-collision system, Kavach 4.0, with plans to issue tenders for installation in 20,000 locomotives this year.

About kavach scheme:

• Kavach is a cab signaling train control system with anti-collision features.
• Indigenously developed
• Developed by Research Design and Standards Organisation(RDSO).

Components of Kavach:

Kavach setup consist of three essential components.

1. First Component: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology into the tracks.
2. Second Component: The locomotive, serving as the driver's cabin, is equipped with RFID readers, a computer, and brake interface equipment
3. Third Component: It encompasses radio infrastructure, such as towers and modems, strategically installed at railway stations.

Applications:

It has been designed to assist locomotive pilots in avoiding Signal Passing At Danger (SPAD) and overspeeding.

The system can alert the loco pilot, take control of the brakes and bring the train to a halt automatically when it notices another train on the same line within a prescribed distance.

The device also continuously relays the signals ahead to the locomotive, making it useful for loco pilots in low visibility.

It also controls the speed of the train by an automatic application of brakes in case the loco pilot fails to do so.

It helps the loco pilot in running the train during inclement weather conditions such fog as dense.