Mainline Automatic Train Horn and Brake Performance Metric

TL;DR

This paper proposes a new mainline rail-specific performance metric for onboard perception systems, focusing on obstacle detection, to improve safety and system comparison.

Contribution

It introduces a novel obstacle detection submetric for rail perception systems, aiding system comparison and accident prediction in operational domains.

Findings

Preliminary obstacle detection submetric proposed

Facilitates comparison of perception systems

Aims to predict accident likelihood

Abstract

This paper argues for the introduction of a mainline rail-oriented performance metric for driver-replacing on-board perception systems. Perception at the head of a train is divided into several subfunctions. This article presents a preliminary submetric for the obstacle detection subfunction. To the best of the author's knowledge, no other such proposal for obstacle detection exists. A set of submetrics for the subfunctions should facilitate the comparison of perception systems among each other and guide the measurement of human driver performance. It should also be useful for a standardized prediction of the number of accidents for a given perception system in a given operational design domain. In particular, for the proposal of the obstacle detection submetric, the professional readership is invited to provide their feedback and quantitative information to the author. The analysis results of the feedback will be published separately later.