OREANDA-NEWS. August 22, 2012. Development of Global Positioning System (GPS) based Anti-Collision Device (ACD) was taken up by Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) as a pilot project on 1736 route kilometers on single/double line non electrified Broad Gauge section of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) and it has been in service trials since 2006.

Based on the experience of the NFR, to improve reliability and dependability of ACDs and to test its functioning on multiple lines as well as electrified routes, the specifications and design configuration were revised and the system as evolved was tried on the electrified multiple lines, automatic signaling section of the Southern Railway in 2010-11.

Complex operational & technical issues observed during both the trials are being examined by KRCL for taking remedial measures. As an improvement over ACD, action has also been taken by Indian Railways to develop Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) through multiple vendors for which Expression of Interest (EOI) was floated and six indigenous firms have been shortlisted.

As this stage, no definite time frame can be given as the development of safety systems involves verification, validation and certification of performance against stringent safety parameters.