Published by : International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)

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Vol. 8 Issue 09, September-2019

Prevention of Railway Accident using Arduino

Based Safety System: A case Study of Addis
Ababa Light Rail Transit
Adoh Lucky Ugochukwu1*, Akello Fiona Mercy2, Nyangassa Faraja2, Ishimwe Pascasie2
1*
African Railway Centre of Excellence, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.
Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
2
African Railway Centre of Excellence, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.

Abstract - Obstacles on the right of way of the train, smoke on move along the railway track. The aim of this paper is to
the train and flooding on the track can cause derailment, simulate a program in Proteus to detect obstacles on the right
collision, injuries to train passengers, environmental damage of way of the train, flood on the railway track and smoke on
and loss of properties, so there is a need to look at various ways the train.
to prevent or reduce the frequency and severity of these
accidents by using Arduino based safety system to mitigate this
The sensors used for this simulation is explained below;
accidents. The aim of this paper is to simulate a program in 1.1. Smoke Sensor
Proteus to detect obstacles on the right of way of trains, flood A smoke detector is a sensor that detects smoke as a primary
on the railway track and smoke in the train. Arduino code is indication of fire. It functions is simply with a detection
written to detect obstacle on the track as well as fire in the element inside the device that activates when it reaches a
trains, and floods in the railway track and simulated in fixed temperature or an extreme increase in temperature
Proteus. The result shows that this new innovative technology occurs [1].
will increase the reliability of safety systems of railway. By
implementing these features in real time application, we can
Accident caused by fire in Trains
avoid accidents up to a very significant margin.
Fire incidences in trains are among the most serious disasters
Keywords - Accident, Arduino, Proteus, track to human lives and the property of railways. Thus the
prevention of train fire has become a serious concern for
INTRODUCTION Railways. A train fire is different from a fire in other places
Transport plays a vital role because it enables the act of in the manner in which it breaks out, grows and spreads, and
buying and selling goods and services between persons in the method of fighting it, as well as the damages it causes.
which is a pre-requisite for the development of a Nation. Fire especially in uncontrolled state is a source of very rapid
Transportation has throughout history been a spur to destruction and this gets compounded when loss of human
expansion as better transport leads to more trade. The stage life is involved. Hence, taking all possible steps to prevent
in an economic cycle has always been dependent on train fire from breaking out in coaches, and if it breaks out,
increasing the capacity and rationality of transport. But the to prevent it from spreading and causing further damage is
infrastructure and operation of transport has a great effect on being given great importance. In order to prevent such
the land and is the largest drainer of energy, making accident caused by fire in train we can use fire/smoke sensor
transport sustainability and safety a major issue. in order to detect fire [1].
Derailment occurs when a vehicle such as a train runs off its
rails. Usually, the derailment of a train can be caused by a 1.2. Ultrasonic sensors
collision with another object, an operational error, the An ultrasonic transducer is a proximity sensor that converts
energy into ultrasonic sound, or sound waves above the
mechanical failure of the tracks, such as broken rails, or
mechanical failure of the wheels. In Ethiopia, the Ethiopian normal range of human hearing. With 2.5 -5.5V power the
Railway Corporation has in the recent past experienced LV-Max Sonar provides very short to long-range detection
monetary loss due to train derailment on the Djibouti- and ranging, in an incredibly small package. The
Ethiopia line caused by collision with animals and block LVMaxSonar EZ detects objects from 0-inches to 254-
materials in the country side areas of Ethio-Djibouti line. inches. (6.45-meters) and provides sonar range information
from 6-inches out to 254- inches with 1-inch resolution.
Obstacles on the right of way of the train (track), smoke on
the train and flooding on the track can cause derailment, Objects from 0-inches to 6-inches range as 6-inches.
collision, injuries to train passengers, environmental damage
Modern level crossings (or railroad crossings) have come a
and loss of properties. So there is a need to look at various
long way from the early days of human railway employees
ways to prevent or reduce the frequency and severity of the
waving red flags and shining lanterns to clear railroad tracks
these accidents by using Arduino based safety system to
of vehicles and pedestrian traffic for reaching trains. As still
mitigate this accidents.
the case today, nineteenth century railways were deeply
In this paper, ultrasonic, rain and smoke sensors will be used
concerned with preventing accidents and protecting
for obstacle detection of object on the track, flood on the
resources. Respond to this concern, railroad began to
track and fire in the train and the detection is done as trains

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Vol. 8 Issue 09, September-2019

implement manual, and eventually electrical, boom gates runs. The track goes underwater and consequently it
(crossing barriers) to block road traffic from the rail tracks. becomes unable to carry train and the result is derailment.
Although plain, easy signage may be So, if we use a flood sensor then this type of accidents maybe
plenty for level crossings in sparsely inhabit region, high detected before it happens. The Flood sensor module is an
traffic intersection today often aspect active notice system, easy tool for flood detection. It can be used as a switch when
which include electrical explosion gates, blinking lights, and water drop falls through the board and also for measuring
caution bells that are triggered when an approaching train falling intensity. The flood sensor placed near railway track
trips a nearby track circuit [2]. All ultrasonic sensors are at appropriate places send the signal whenever the overflow
used to detect arrival and departure of the gate near and away occurs [5]. A water detector is an electronic device that is
to the railway crossing respectively. They are placed at two designed to detect the presence of water for purposes such
sides of railway crossings. Ultrasonic sensor gives the as to provide an alert in time to allow the prevention of water
accurate distance in terms of centimeter so that we can detect leakage. A common design is a small cable or device that
the train. Train is passing the railway crossing. The detection lies flat on a floor and relies on the electrical conductivity of
of two ultrasonic sensors is placed to detect arrival of the water to decrease the resistance across two contacts. The
train and departure of train is done by using two ultrasonic device then sounds an audible alarm together with providing
train and both also detect departure of the gate. Ultrasonic onward signaling in the presence of enough water to bridge
sensors used at two ends for checking of train arrival and the contacts. Rain sensor is designed for water detection,
departure. The distance at which the ultrasonic sensor is which can be widely used in sensing rainfall, water level,
placed is properly selected so that the gates close in times. and even liquid leakage. Connecting a water sensor to an
As the train approaches the ultrasonic sensor, it detects the Arduino is a great way to detect a leak, spill, flood, rain, etc
train and the servo which is a replica of automatic gates in on the railway track and on the train.
our project will close or open according to the condition. At
one end, if obstacles are detected, condition for presence of 2.0. METHODOLOGY
train will be ON, gates will be closed, Receiving again the
original condition, gates will be OPEN. Same case will be 1.4. Main component specifications in the connection
observed for train travelling otherwise [3]. The logically Arduino UNO Microcontroller
coupled ultrasonic sensors sense the direction in which train The Arduino Uno R3 is a microcontroller board based on a
is moving and correspondingly display measures on LCD removable, dual-inline-package (DIP) ATmega328 AVR
screen. The ultrasonic sensors then logically control the microcontroller. It has 20 digital input/output pins (of which
opening/closing operation of gates (servo motors) [4]. For 6 can be used as PWM outputs and 6 can be used as analog
this paper, the ultrasonic sensor shall be used as a proximity inputs). Programs can be loaded on to it from the easy-to-
sensor used to sense object on the track. When the distance use Arduino computer program. The Arduino has an
between the train and object is less than 5cm, it sends an extensive support community, which makes it a very easy
alarm to the driver to stop the train. way to get started working with embedded electronics. The
R3 is the third, and latest, revision of the Arduino Uno [6]
1.3. 1.3. Rain sensor as shown in Figure 1 below.
Flooding is another problem often required to control the
overflow of water that submerges the land on which train

Figure 1. Arduino UNO R3 board

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Vol. 8 Issue 09, September-2019

Arduino board Specifications

Microcontroller : ATmega328
Operating Voltage: 5V
Input Voltage (recommended): 5V
Digital I/O Pins 14 : PWMo/p
Analog Input Pins : 6 DC
Current per I/O Pin : 40 mA
DC Current for 3.3V Pin : 50 mA
Ultrasonic Sensor module
An Ultrasonic sensor is a device that can measure the
distance to an object by using sound waves. It measures
distance by sending out a sound wave at a specific frequency
and listening for that sound wave to bounce back. By Figure 2. Ultrasonic sensor [8]
recording the elapsed time between the sound wave being
generated and the sound wave bouncing back, it is possible Ultrasonic pin configuration
to calculate the distance between the sonar sensor and the 1. VCC: 5V DC power supply
object [7]. The Ultrasonic sensor module is a convenient 2. Trig: trigger signal for starting the transmission with 10μs
way for measuring distances from objects. This module has high time
a lot of applications such as parking sensors, obstacle and 3. Echo: output
terrain monitoring systems, industrial distance 4. GND: ground
measurements, etc. It has a stable performance and high Interfacing the Ultrasonic sensor with the Arduino board
accuracy ranging from 2cm to 450cm with a resolution of ✓ Ultrasonic sensor, test pin(analog pin) connected to a
0.3 cm. The module sends an ultrasonic signal, eight pulses DC SINE generator(variable voltage source) and
of 40kHz square wave from the transmitter; the echo is then voltimeter, the positive pin connected to power, trigger
picked up by the receiver and outputs a waveform with a pin connected to pin 3 on the Arduino UNO R3, echo
time period proportional to the distance. The connected pin connected to the pin 4 on Arduino UNO and GND
microcontroller accepts the signal and performs necessary to ground.
processing. The HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Distance Sensor is a ✓ Virtual terminal, connected to pin 1 and 0 of the
sensor used for detecting the distance to an object using Arduino UNO R3.
sonar. It's ideal for any robotics projects your have which ✓ LED pin connected to pin 13 of Arduino UNO and
require you to avoid objects, by detecting how close they are buzzer to pin8 of the Arduino UNO R3. Input and
you can steer away from them. The HC-SR04 uses non- output terminal were used for these connections.
contact ultrasound sonar to measure the distance to an ✓ After all connections were made, the Arduino code was
object, and consists of two ultrasonic transmitters (basically loaded on to the Arduino UNO from the archives (hex
speakers), a receiver, and a control circuit. The transmitters file).
emit a high frequency ultrasonic sound, which bounce off ✓ The ultrasonic sensor location was also loaded (hex
any nearby solid objects, and the receiver listens for any file).
return echo. That echo is then processed by the control ✓ The run/start simulation button was pressed to start
circuit to calculate the time difference between the signal simulation of the program.
being transmitted and received. This time can subsequently
Rain Sensor Module
be used, along with some clever math, to calculate the
Raindrop sensor is basically a board on which nickel is
distance between the sensor and the reflecting object [8].
coated in the form of lines. It works on the principal of
The HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor specification resistance. Rain Sensor module allows to measure moisture
via analog output pins and it provides a digital output when
• Input Voltage: 5V
a threshold of moisture exceeds. The module is based on the
• Current Draw: 20mA (Max)
LM393 op amp. It includes
• Digital Output: 5V the electronics module and a printed circuit board that
• Digital Output: 0V (Low) “collects” the rain drops. As rain drops are collected on the
• Working Temperature: -15°C to 70°C circuit board, they create paths of parallel resistance that are
• Sensing Angle: 30° Cone measured via the op amp [9]. The sensor is a resistive dipole
• Angle of Effect: 15° Cone that shows less resistance when wet and more resistance
• Ultrasonic Frequency: 40kHz when dry. When there is no rain drop on board it increases
• Range: 2cm - 400cm the Resistance so we gets high voltage according to V=IR.
• Dimensions When rain drop present it reduces the resistance because
✓ Length: 43mm water is a conductor of electricity and presence of water
✓ Width: 20mm connects nickel lines in parallel so reduces resistance and
✓ Height (with transmitters): 15mm reduces voltage drop across it [9].
✓ Centre screw hole distance: 40mm x 15mm
✓ Screw hole diameter: 1mm (M1)
✓ Transmitter diameter: 8mm

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Vol. 8 Issue 09, September-2019

The LM393 Rain Sensor specification Gas sensor module

• Adopts high quality of RF-04 double sided material. A smoke sensor is a device that senses smoke, typically as
• Area: 5cm x 4cm nickel plate on side, an indicator of fire. Commercial and residential security
• Anti-oxidation, anti-conductivity, with long use time; devices issue a signal to a fire alarm control panel as part of
• Comparator output signal clean waveform is good, a fire alarm system, while household detectors, known as
driving ability, over 15mA; smoke alarms, generally issue a local audible or visual alarm
• Potentiometer adjust the sensitivity; from the detector itself. The Analog Smoke/LPG/CO Gas
• Working voltage 5V; Sensor (MQ2) module utilizes an MQ-2 as the sensitive
component and has a protection resistor and an adjustable
• Output format: Digital switching output (0 and 1) and
resistor on board. The MQ-2 gas sensor is sensitive to LPG,
analog voltage output AO;
i-butane, propane, methane, alcohol, Hydrogen and smoke.
• With bolt holes for easy installation;
It could be used in gas leakage detecting equipment in family
• Small board PCB size: 3.2cm x 1.4cm;
and industry. The resistance of the sensitive component
• Uses a wide voltage LM393 comparator changes as the concentration of the target gas changes [10].
Pin Configuration for the gas sensor; pin 1 corresponds to
VCC, 2 to D0 pin, 3 to A0 pin and 4 to the ground. The
smoke sensor is shown in Figure 4 below.

Figure 3. Rain sensor module [8]

Rain Sensor
Description
Pin
Vcc +5 Volts Power Source
GND Ground or negative power source
Digital Output. Goes low when moisture
D0
exceeds set threshold.
Analog Output – Zero to five volts. The lower
A0
the voltage, the greater the moisture
POWER LED Indicates that power is applied
Illuminates when moisture has exceeded
OUTPUT LED
threshold set by sensitivity adjustment.
Sensitivity Clockwise is more sensitive. Counterclockwise
Adjustment is less sensitive.
Interfacing the Rain Sensor with the Arduino board
• Connect VCC pin of sensor to 5V power supply of
Arduino,
• Connect GND pin of sensor to GND of Arduino and Figure 4. Gas sensor module [10]

• Connect Analog output pin of sensor to A0 pin of Interfacing the smoke sensor with the Arduino board
Arduino. ✓ Connect VCC pin of sensor to 5V power supply of
• The rain sensor location was also loaded (hex file). Arduino,
• The run/start simulation button was pressed to start ✓ Connect the GND pin of your module to the GND pin of
simulation of the program. \ your Arduino.
✓ Connect the Output pin of your module to the A1 pin of
you Arduino.
✓ The smoke sensor location was also loaded (hex file).
✓ The run/start simulation button was pressed to start
simulation of the program.

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3.0. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION the train operator then takes further steps to eliminate the
Ultrasonic sensor was used as a proximity switch, in the causes of the smoke on the train. Similarly the rain sensor
sense that whenever there is obstacle in the way of ultrasonic detects (from Figure 6) the presence of flood on the track up
sensor (from Figure 5) (in front of the train), it will to a certain height, if the water level reaches the height on
automatically give an indication through the led which the track, the rain sensor sends a feedback to the train
blinks red and the buzzer will continue sounding until the operator to stop the train. With all this sensor installed on the
drivers stops the train for the object on the track to be train, we can reduce railway accident to a significant margin,
removed. The smoke sensor detects the presence of smoke which will lead to a smooth operation of the railway and
(from Figure 6) on the train and sends a signal to the driver increase profitability of the railway company.
via an alarm and a led and buzzer installed inside the train,

Figure 5. Interfacing Rain, Smoke and Ultrasonic Sensor with the Arduino board

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Figure 6. Water and Smoke is detected but no obstacle on track

CONCLUSION
On this paper, the Proteus simulation using Arduino based
safety system is done such that all obstacles in the right of
way of the train, smoke in the train and also flooding on the
railway track will be detected therefore preventing
derailment and collision accidents that cost the railway
company a lot of money.
In this paper, a cost effective, low-power embedded system,
was designed which facilitate better safety standards for rail
tracks for preventing railway accidents due to obstacles on
railway tracks, flooding and fire in the train. The result
shows that this new innovative technology will increase the
reliability of safety systems of railway. By implementing
these features in real time application, we can avoid
accidents up to a very significant margin.

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[2] Crack detection system for railway track using Ultrasonic and PIR
sensor, Prof. P.Navaraja, Volume 05, 2014.
[3] Dhiraj Sinha, Farhan Feroz. “Obstacle Detection on Railway
Tracks Using Vibration Sensors and Signal Filtering Using
Bayesian Analysis,” IEEE Sensors Journal Vol. 16, Issue. 3, Feb.1,
2016.
[4] Krishna, ShashiYadav and Nidhi, “Automatic Railway Gate
Control Using Microcontroller”, Oriental Journal Of Computer
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[5] J. Xuer, “Visual Monitoring Based Railway Grade Crossing
Surveillance System, “Congress on Iamge and Signal Processing,
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[6] https://www.pololu.com/product/2191
[7] http://www.cmra.rec.ri.cmu.edu/content/electro
nics/boe/ultrasonic_sensor/1.html
[8] https://www.piborg.org/sensors-1136/hc-sr04
[9] https://electrosome.com/interfacing-rain-sensor-arduino/
[10] https://www.sainsmart.com/products/mq-5 smoke-gas-detector-
sensor

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