摘要 |
<p>The method of automatic vehicle control running on tracks accommodates routes having downward slopes. A notional reference speed, greater than the allowable maximum speed of the vehicle, is stored in a memory. To stop the vehicle at a specified destination a signal is emitted by a radio beacon, placed alongside the route, when the vehicle is at a known distance (D) from the stop, and a second signal is emitted by a second radio beacon at the point where constant braking effort will stop the vehicle at the stop if it were travelling at the notional reference speed. From the instant of receipt of the first signal the distance remaining to the stop is continuously computed then after receipt of the second signal the instantaneous slope of the route is computed using information from an electronic altimeter. This information is used by the computer to determine the level of its output signal adjusting the braking force to ensure stopping at the correct location.</p> |