Union Switch and Signal (US&S) CTC (Centralized Traffic Control) is a chiefly North American system for implementing a
train dispatcher's workstation. It is a very complex system.
An understanding of the goals of CTC and how it functions is
very helpful. While this tool will describe various CTC features, it is not a CTC course.
There are many books written on the subject, for example Dr. Bruce Chubb's CTC manuals. Other
materials (too numerous to list) exist on the Internet as well, such as Mike Burgett's web
site (since shut down, but may be active in the future again) and Michael J. Burgett's
The Engineering Basics of CTC.
As a starter, check our CTC Definitions at the bottom of this
page.
Important: A requirement of CTC is that a fully functional ABS (Automatic Block Signaling) signaling system already is in place on your layout. As you may already know, CTC is just a layer on top of ABS.
The CTC system consists of three main components. The first one is the CTC Editor which is used to define the CTC system. The second component is CTCMain, which is a run time component which executes the rules created by the editor. These components are started by using the PanelPro Tools menu and/or including them as actions defined in Preferences ⇒ Start Up.
The last component is the layout configuration in JMRI. This includes turnout definitions, occupancy sensors, blocks and signals. The signals can be defined as signal heads with SSL or signal masts using signal mast logic (SML). The signaling implementation needs to properly implement ABS signaling before adding CTC. This includes proper block boundaries.
I personally suggest that you use Layout Editor to generate your CTC panel, along with using Signal Mast Logic (and at least one discovery of same), along with signal masts placed at block boundaries, so that topology information available in that system can be used to automatically generate Traffic Locking rules for you.
To start the CTC Editor, on the main PanelPro screen select Tools ⇒ CTC ⇒ Open CTC Configuration Editor.
The CTC Editor is used to define the CTC components and the rules that will be used by the run time component. The resulting data is stored in the PanelPro XML data file along with the JMRI tables and panels. The previous version of CTC used the CTCSystem.xml file. This file was located at the user files location in the ctc directory.
As an option to support creation of the GUI portion of the CTC machine, an external Panel Editor panel file can be created by pressing a single button. This facilitates the design of the full GUI CTC panel.
CTCMain is the run time component that provides all of the logic to implement a CTC machine. It responds to layout and panel inputs and takes appropriate actions based on the definitions provided by the CTC Editor. It eliminates the need to create Logix or scripts.
Use the following table of contents to jump to various topics. For new CTC implementations, the topics should be reviewed/carried out in order.
The CTC Editor consists of a menu bar, a section containing a list of the defined OS sections with related buttons and a group of 9 buttons at the bottom. With the exception of the Code button, the remaining buttons can be enabled to activate the selected CTC feature.
After loading the PanelPro data file (aka panel xml file), the editor can be started. It will use the current configuration that was included in the PanelPro data file. If there is no CTC data, the OS section list will be empty but the basic configuration will be created. This will include defaults for the items in the CTC Configure menu. When the PanelPro data file is stored, the CTC configuration will be included along with the tables and panels.
The New menu item deletes the current configuration in the editor.
The Import old configuration menu item will replace the current CTC configuration with the contents of an existing CTCSystem.xml file. This provides a one-time migration from the previous version of the CTC configuration. When the import is done, the orignal file name will be V1_Save_CTCSystem.xml.
If an attempt is made to close the editor window and the ***ERROR*** indicator appears anywhere in the Columns listing, the close will not occur. A dialog will suggest doing this menu item. Please read carefully the information in this menu item.
The defaults here are good enough, but may be modified if desired.
CTC system reload sensor: This sensor, when triggered (set to active) will cause the entire CTC system to reload. This makes it possible to make CTC Editor changes and then test them immediately without having to restart JMRI each time. See "Running the CTC system under JMRI" for more information on this.
CTC debug traffic locking rules triggered display sensor: When active, the number of the Traffic Locking rule that was true is logged when a Code Button is pressed. It is logged as an INFO message to the System Console. In order to see the System Console within JMRI select Help ⇒ System Console... It's the "Green Screen".
Signal System Type: Select either Signal Heads or Signal Masts.
Turnout locks enabled at startup and Seconds until all lockable turnouts locked: The default is checked and the CTC system will lock all of the turnouts automatically at startup. Some layouts require locks to be unlocked at CTC system startup for other external (to CTC) initialization requirements. You can then have your dispatcher manually lock all of the locked turnouts before the layout starts operation. Or, you can set the "Seconds until all lockable turnouts locked" to a value >0 (in seconds), and the CTC system will do this automatically after that time period. Note: each time JMRI is started, it takes a variable amount of time to complete, so this value may have to be set a bit higher than the quickest time, in order to give the system a chance to stabilize before locking the turnouts. Or you can invoke the following lines (however you want) in a Jython script file in order to have this done automatically by your script(s) after your special external initialization requirements are done:
import jmri
ctcMain = jmri.InstanceManager.getNullableDefault(jmri.jmrit.ctc.CTCMain)
if ctcMain is not None: ctcMain.externalLockTurnout()
Time values (for Signal and Switch directions): These are values that are given to each CTC O.S. Section as default values when the CTC O.S. Section is created. The timing values edit boxes are standard CTC values, refer to Definitions for more information on each.
No Code Button delay in milliseconds: This is the default for newly created O.S. Sections. Individual O.S. (for "On Sheet") Sections can be changed if needed. Background: Normal CTC panels always had a code button for every O.S. Section which means a value of zero is appropriate. Certain tower situations did not have a Code Button(s) present when some or all of the O.S. Section(s) were local to the tower. In this case, the tower operator changing either the switch direction and/or signal direction levers was enough to transmit the request to the field. On the prototype, there was a built in delay so that the tower operator could change both the switch and signal levers before the code was transmitted to the local O.S. Section. That delay is simulated with this value. Having a larger value will increase this delay, and a large enough value will allow the tower operator to change both the switch and signal lever before the codes are transmitted to the field. A reasonable value in this case might be 5000 (5 seconds). Some towers had virtually no delay, so enter a value such as 10 milliseconds.
Fleeting toggle sensor: The sensor used to enable/disable fleeting.
Fleeting enabled at start: Default is to not enable fleeting during startup.
Since there will probably be 100's if not 1,000's of JMRI internal sensor objects (Prefix "IS:") that need to be created to support all of the on-screen objects of a typical CTC installation, it is important that you realize how this program works with these "patterns"". By using them, you do not have to spend dozens of hours to enter all of this in manually, or make a mistake and have the JMRI runtime system complain of problem(s) - back and forth, make a change, run JMRI, find another problem, etc. Using patterns prevents this.
Patterns are used for all of the internal sensors created by this system. When an O.S. Section is created, there are two numbers that are associated with that O.S. Section: a switch number (always odd) and the corresponding signal number (always even and always one more than the switch number).
The pattern format is IS#:XXX. The "#" character in the edit boxes are substituted automatically when the CTC O.S. Section is first created. The respective switch / signal areas use the respective switch # / signal # given for the O.S. Section. If more than one "#" appears, every "#" will get the corresponding substituted number. In this way you do not have to do all of the manual typing or selecting associated with creating all of these sensor strings.
Patterns usage by this program and its advantages over other methods
Every time an O.S. Section is created, the program will apply a set of patterns provided by the user: a default set of patterns is automatically generated by the program at startup which the user can override at will. This will be explained in more detail later. In order to see these default patterns, start the program and choose the Configure ⇒ Patterns menu.
Changing anything on this screen has no effect on existing information in the system. It
is only used when a new O.S. Section is created (via the Add... button).
However, you may selectively re-apply this pattern to the whole system or individual pieces
of the system. Here's how:
Reapplying patterns to existing information:
Once you've changed this screen, you may want the new pattern to be selectively applied. Get
to the main screen, and select a single O.S. Section. Then at the bottom of the screen, press
the "Edit" button for the sub-system you want to modify. NOTE: Some sub-systems are not
affected by this, so what follows may not appear. You will then see a button at the bottom of
the sub-system selected, called "Reapply patterns - this form ONLY!". Pressing it will
immediately show you the results of the new pattern in the edit boxes of that screen.
GUI Design - automatic creation of the JMRI GUI screen: An additional feature of this program is to be able to automatically create a "standard" USS CTC panel from the parameters specified elsewhere in this program. This screen configures the available options. See "Files created for support..." for more information and procedures for loading them into the JMRI system. Everything is put in pre-determined locations on the screen. It is an easy procedure in JMRI's Panel Editor (or other) to reposition those items.
Extra blank columns after last defined column to create: Normally, if this is 0, this program creates after the last CTC O.S. Section column specified a "right edge of CTC machine panel". If you want additional blank column(s) between your last CTC O.S. Sections column # and the right edge, enter that number here.
Type of CTC panel: Presently only USS is available at this time (10/31/2018). More may be available in the future.
Vertical size: JMRI provides blank panel items in each of the sizes listed. Choose one.
Signals on panel All O.S. Section signals - All of the signals specified in the Signal Direction Indicators sub-system are created on the screen for you. This is not a prototype practice, but will help in your development of SSL (Simple Signal Logic) and CTC design. You can see the state of the signals in the field with this. Signal heads or Signal masts will be created per your specification. Green/off only (Future feature) - Not available at this time. The prototype in certain installations have a single green indicator indicating all signal(s) at that location are displaying stop (red) (green indicator off) or permissive of some form (one or more signals at that location non-stop (non-red)).
Builder Plate Check this if you want the builder plate on the machine face.
Turnouts on panel Normally you want to generate turnouts on the CTC track board, which is the default "Generate checked". If you don"t want this feature, uncheck this.
Fleeting toggle switch (only if fleeting configured) Create the toggle switch on the panel if checked.
Analog clock and clock on toggle Create an analog clock on the panel, along with above it a toggle switch to turn it on / off.
Reload CTC system button Create a button on the screen to perform this.
CTC Debug on toggle Ditto.
Create variety of track pieces (future feature): A variety of track pieces are created on the screen, so that it is easier to "copy / paste" all of these objects as the designer desires.
O.S. Occupancy sensor blinks red when unknown or inconsistent Normally, JMRI will display an "X" or "?" on a sensor when its state is unknown or inconsistent. By checking this checkbox, the program will substitute a blinking indicator for these to draw better attention to them. I personally use these for optical sensors on my layout because of the number of sensors on my layout causes LocoNet to loose messages at system startup.
A prototype CTC machine is organized by columns (my term). A single CTC machine column can be blank, or contain an O.S. section and all of the associated controls. I begin the numbering of my CTC machine columns with 1. This column number has no relation or correlation at all to the Switch or Signal numbers of a normal O.S. Section. You can create as many columns as you like on the computer screen(s).
A non-blank column always has an O.S. Section with a Code Button associated with it. An O.S. Section always has an odd switch number and an even signal number, where the signal number is always one more than the switch number. Each O.S. Section as it is created does not have to be 2 more than the prior switch number entry. Example: 1, 3, 7, 15, 17.... They do not have to be in ascending sequence, their order has no impact on the program. However, it is strongly suggested per prototype practice that they are in ascending sequence. You may re-order them on the main screen using up/down buttons in case you entered them out of order, which is described in another section.
These are located to the right of the "Presently defined CTC O.S. Sections:" list.
The "Add..." button is always available.
Other buttons are dynamically enabled or disabled based upon the selected item.
Allows you to add another column.
After pressing, configure the two values as needed.
The "GUI Generated before" checkbox is used to control which O.S. Sections will be included when using the Write .xml file for JMRI GUI support button. For more information see GUIObjects.xml
Allows you to delete a column if there are no references to it.
If you notice in the column that you are deleting that there are items in parenthesis's, you will be prevented from deleting that column with an error message. Only when the parenthesis's disappear will you be allowed to delete the column.
The general format is #/# indicating which switch and signal column entry is referencing this entry, followed by the following letter possibilities: "TrL:" Traffic Locking rule references this. If there is an 'L' appended, it indicates left traffic rules, otherwise right traffic rules. "Sw:" Switch Slaved references this.
See the Add button details.
Move the select O.S. section up one row. This action has no impact on the data.
Move the select O.S. section down one row. This action has no impact on the data.
Create a GUIObjects.xml file.
At the bottom of the screen are buttons to configure the selected entry in the list.
Note: For a new column, the CTC internal sensor name fields (IS#:XXX) will be used. For CTC implementations using a JMRI panel, these are the preferred names. If a physical CTC panel is being used, use the combo box to select the hardware sensor.
This provides the major information for a single O.S. Section. It is enabled as soon as an item is selected in the list.
Code Button sensor: Required. Select the sensor associated with this Code Button. This name is automatically generated by the patterns system.
Primary O.S. Section occupied sensor: Required. So long as this sensor is active (indicating that the O.S. Section is occupied), then the following cannot be changed: signals, turnout change, lock/unlock turnout and call on. This should be the main occupancy sensor.
Secondary O.S. Section occupied sensor: Optional. Typically this is entered when a crossover is in an O.S. Section and you have two sensors, one for each parallel track. This is the non-primary route, for instance the other side's track sensor. When active, it prevents turnout change and lock/unlock turnout only.
Switch slaved to O.S. Section #: Optional. Use this to slave another O.S. Section with just a turnout in it to this O.S. Section. Used primarily when one track goes to 3 or more other tracks via multiple turnouts.
No Code Button delay in milliseconds: Required. If there is no Code Button (i.e. a tower operation), then put in the delay between when either the turnout or traffic direction switches are changed and when the action actually occurs.
Defines all of the information required for displaying the signal direction indicators on the CTC panel, and which signal(s) in the field control them.
Left, Normal and Right indicator sensorsThese names are automatically generated by the patterns system.
Coding and response time milliseconds: and Time locking interval milliseconds: Required. Values are defaulted from the CTC Defaults screen. Change as you see fit to make each section unique if you want.
Traffic Direction: Select the direction of traffic. The default is Both. If Left or Right is selected, the appropriate traffic signal list will be disabled.
Left to right and Right to left traffic signal lists: Here you specify each of the signal masts or individual signal heads associated in each direction with this O.S. Section. There must be at least one entry in each, unless it is a uni-directional (Left or Right) O.S. Section.
Defines all of the sensors required for the JMRI MultiSensor object in order to select a signal direction.
Left, Normal and Right lever sensors: These names are automatically generated by the patterns system. When panels are created by the GUI export process, the traffic direction selection in the Signal Direction Indicators section will determine which sensors are used to create the multi-sensor icon.
Defines all of the information for displaying the switch direction indicators on the CTC panel, and which switch in the field controls them.
Normal and Reverse indicator sensors: Required. The two indicators on the panel. These names are automatically generated by the patterns system.
Actual turnout: Required. The turnout who's information is being displayed.
Coding and response time milliseconds: Required. Values are defaulted from the CTC Defaults screen. Change as you see fit to make each section unique if you want.
Feedback different: JMRI does not support backwards feedback values, i.e. turnout is commanded to CLOSED, turnout reports THROWN. Check this if your device's feedback is opposite from the commanded value.
Optional GUI parameters: Ignore this if you are not generating GUI information. Otherwise select the type of turnout from the 3 radio buttons, Check "Left hand turnout" if so, and if "Crossover" is selected, then check "Other turnout also left handed" if so.
Defines the one sensor associated with the Sensor icon lever.
Lever sensor: Required. This name is automatically generated by the patterns system.
Defines all of the information for controlling (allowing) call on aspect(s) to be displayed in the field.
Toggle sensor: Required. This name is automatically generated by the patterns system. This associates the toggle switch on the panel with this Call On.
When you first enter this screen, there is nothing in the "Grouping list" area. Once you have entered new entries, you may individually select an entry by clicking on it, and then the "Edit Below" and "Delete" buttons become available, along with various field(s) below being enabled for changing. In order to get started, press "Add New" the first time here, and various fields below will be enabled based upon how you have configured you system for Signal Heads or Signal Masts via the Configure ⇒ Defaults menu. Below all fields are described, but some may not be available based upon whether Signal Heads or Signal Masts is selected:
Signal: Required. Choose from the signals defined in your system already. Then select in the drop down to the right of this field whether the signal faces Left or Right.
Aspect: Required. Choose from the available aspects in the drop down list. Do not choose flashing aspects for semaphores! The semaphore will act weird as it tries and fails to keep up with the stream of movements.
Called on sensor: Required for signal heads. Choose from the sensors defined in your system already.
Block: Required for signal masts. Choose from the blocks defined in your system. The selected block must have the Permissive checkbox enabled. If it is not, a dialog will be displayed which will offer to set the value. Select Yes to have it set. If you select No, you will need to do it yourself. If you don't, Call-On will not work.
--- Route --- Choose up to 6 switch direction indicators that when lit specify the route from the O.S. Section to the called on block (Signal Masts) or sensor associated with the block (Signal Heads).
Defines all of the allowed non conflicting routes from the selected O.S. Section in either direction from it. This is the beating heart of the CTC system. As such, it is the most complex part of CTC you will encounter. However, if you are methodical and after some experience, you should find that this section is fairly straight forward.
When you initially select Traffic Locking, the first screen that comes up will allow you to edit one of the directions from this O.S. Section to other O.S. Section(s). Note: Having no rules always allows that direction of travel no matter any other condition, and may be valid in certain situations such as traveling to staging where there is no O.S. Section.
A NEW feature is available with CTC version 1.05 and later: IF (and only if) you have used Layout Editor to generate your track plan, and used Signal Mast Logic (SML) defined for your signal masts (along with a minimum of one auto-generation of SML), and Signal Masts at block boundaries, then this screen can use the information available in them to generate all of the Traffic Locking rules automatically. You will know that this is possible because two new buttons will be displayed: "Auto-Generate" and "Reverse Left/Right". See "Auto-Generate details" below for more information.
Select either Left or Right to proceed. On the next screen that appears, you will notice that the "Rules:" area is blank, and that "Add New" is only button enabled. Press "Add New" now, and notice how the bottom half of the screen is enabled for editing of this new rule.
Before we proceed to details on this rule, you will notice that "This rule ENABLED" is checked by default. You may enable / disable individual rules at your whim, you mostly disable ones so that the information is not lost, and you may in the future want to re-enable it.
Part of the design of your CTC system (which has nothing to do with this program) is determining where the interlocking limits are in complex trackwork situations, such as parallel (or 3 or more) tracks with multiple switches and crossovers. It is beyond the scope of this help in guiding you in designing interlocking plants. For instance, it depends on how you want simultaneous moves to occur within interlocking limits that may need to be considered.
Auto-Generate details:
First, 3 Caveat Emptor's:
#1: As a prerequisite for CTC in general, you must have completed the track diagram in Layout Editor, and have a properly operating Signal Mast Logic (SML) signal system completed, along with at least one auto-generated SML. Any missing items in these will prevent proper auto-generation of Traffic Locking rules. However, you can always after fixing SML rules regenerate the Traffic Locking rules for that O.S. section again.
#2: Auto-generation assumes a properly formatted track diagram. Real CTC systems (in my experience) always proceed left to right and right to left, with occasional 45 degree tracks at an angle. However, Layout Editor and Control Panel Editor allow you to "willy nilly" put track in any orientation. This will confuse the auto-generation operation, as to what rules are to the left and right of the O.S. section. Worst case, if this happens, press the "Reverse Left/Right" button. The rules should be correct even if the screen orientation is "invalid".
#3: As a reminder: When you auto-generate, all prior rules are deleted first.
After auto-generating, you may go and manually edit any of the auto-generated actions, if you feel they are not needed or improper for some reason.
Specifying a rule:
Under "--- ROUTE ---", you specify the O.S. Section(s) traversed, and the switch alignment associated with each O.S. Section for that route. Order of specified O.S. Section(s) is irrelevant. For a simple route, such as a passing siding, there will only be one switch. A complex interlocking will normally have several switches. An O.S. Section that contains a turnout will have at least two routes, a closed route and a thrown route.
Under "Occupancy sensors ... allowed." you specify the sensor(s) that will be locked for that route. For simple routes, the O.S. section occupancy sensor and the occupancy sensor for the destination block will be specified.
Under "--- Optional sensors... valid ---", specify any sensors that must be ACTIVE to allow this rule to be valid. You may (for instance) use JMRI Logix to create such a sensor for specific unusual situations. Important: These optional sensors are not allocated as part of the rule. They are just checked at the moment the dispatcher codes the O.S. Section.
Final result: When the dispatcher codes this O.S. Section, the Left or Right rule set is selected based on the position of the signal lever. A specific rule is then selected based on the turnout positions. If all of the occupancy sensors defined in the rule are not already allocated to another route, and all defined optional sensors are ACTIVE, then only the occupancy sensors are allocated. The allocation for each occupancy sensor is removed after it becomes unoccupied after becoming occupied.
In complex interlocking situations: as a train traverses the rule's occupancy sensor(s) and transited occupancy sensor(s) are released, other rules that don't conflict with the remaining allocated occupancy sensors may be allowed before this train has fully transited this whole rule, and the dispatcher may select these routes (rules) safely.
There are 3 types of turnouts on a layout
If the turnout position can be changed using local controls, there is a risk that the dispatcher can authorize a train movement that can cause issues. The goal is to detect those changes and take corrective action.
If the known state of a turnout is different than the CTC required state, a turnout command will be issued to return the turnout to the CTC state. Depending on the hardware used to change the turnout position, a typical reaction might be that the turnout has started moving and then reverses direction. This is typical for Tortoise switch machines.
A related requirement is that the dispatcher may need to grant local control of turnouts. This frequently occurs where switching actions need to occur. Once local control has been granted, the CTC machine needs to prevent dispacher actions with the exception of revoking local control.
Another use for local control is having control of turnouts even if the computer is not running. This provides a backup mechanism to computer failures. It also requires that alternative procedures are available for dispatching, such as "captain may I" and magnet boards.
Some possible scenarios:
Items 1 and 2 are local to the JMRI environment. The CTC machine will see the change and take corrective action. 3 and 4 are external to JMRI. Detection of these items will depend on turnout state feedback. If feedback has not been implemented, turnout locking will have no value.
Feedback depends on the hardware used to change turnout positions. A Tortoise switch machine can do either 1 or 2 sensor feedback but requires other hardware to convert the TTL logic state change to a sensor message. A Digitrax DS64 running on a LocoNet can handle both the local switch button and generate a feedback message.
To configure turnout locking, select an O.S. section from the list, click on the Enable check box and select Edit under the Turnout Locking: label. The form contains two sensor entries for the lever and indicator icons, 4 entries for turnouts, and 3 options. The Lock Implementation is fixed. There are also 4 options for Feedback different.
The When locked, switch state is Closed option indicates whether the turnout should be set to Closed or Thrown when the dispatcher regains control of the turnout.
There are 4 locking styles.
The turnout belongs to the O.S. section and will have Switch direction levers and indicators. The Enable GUI Icons option is selected so that the locking lever and indicator icons are added to the CTC panel.
This is the typical case, and requires nothing special be done. The O.S. Section must be unoccupied in order for a turnout to be unlocked or locked. Depending on the available feedback, the local turnout changes might not be reported to JMRI. If that is the case, the dispatcher should use the CTC controls to set the turnout to the desired state.
The turnout belongs to the O.S. section and will have Switch direction levers and indicators. The Enable GUI Icons option is NOT selected so that the turnout locking lever and indicator icons arre not on the panel. The turnout cannot be unlocked since there are no icons. This makes the turnout permanently under dispatcher control.
Create a special O.S. section that contains the turnout as if it was an O.S. Section. Use a switch number that is higher than the highest value that will used on the CTC machine, or for safety, use values starting with 1001. For the GUI column #, use the proper number to create both the Code Button and the lock/unlock toggle switch in the proper place.
However, do not check any features except the Turnout Locking check box for this fake O.S. section. This is how this is differentiated from the above true O.S. Section lock.
When configuring the Code Button, you will be required to enter an occupancy sensor. Enter the occupancy sensor for the block containing the turnout to be locked.
On the Turnout Locking screen, select the turnout, the No Dispatcher control of switch and the Enable GUI Icons options. Since the dispatcher has no direct control of the turnout, the turnout will be forced to the state based on the When locked, switch state is "Closed" setting. The default is Closed, uncheck for Thrown.
The special O.S. section and turnout locking are defined as above with one exception. The Enable GUI Icons option is NOT selected. This makes the uncontrolled turnout locked for the duration of the CTC session. This is used for uncontrolled turnouts that must always be in a known state during the CTC session, but have other uses when not running CTC. For example, a turnout to facilitate re-staging.
Normally, the feedback value matches the commanded value. JMRI allows for both being backwards, and in order to fix that, you put a check the "Inverted" column in the Turnout Table in JMRI. However, in case the feedback value is different than the commanded value, then you put a check in that column. The following table lists the possibilities:
| Command: | Feedback: | JMRI Turnout inverted checked: | CTC Editor feedbacks different checked: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | Normal | No | No |
| Reversed | Reversed | Yes | No |
| Normal | Reversed | No | Yes |
| Reversed | Normal | Yes | Yes |
Defines any additional locking of an O.S. Section above and beyond what is normally expected by this system. The locking applies to setting the turnout and turnout locks. Signal locking uses Traffic Locking.
As indicated on the screen, specify the signal head(s) / signal mast(s) that when any are non-red, the O.S. Section is considered indication locked. When an O.S. Section is locked this way, the turnout and turnout lock/unlock functions are disabled so long as any of these are non-red.
All files for the CTC system are stored in the "ctc" directory under the User Files Location. In order to access this directory, on the main JMRI screen, press "Help", then select "File Locations". This will bring up a JMRI screen with all relevant file locations. Press "Open User Files Location". That will open up the file manager at that location. You should notice a "ctc" directory under it. Navigate to it. What follows is a discussion of the files located there.
CTC was upgraded after JMRI 4.20. The primary change is that the CTC configuration data is no longer stored in the ProgramProperties.xml and CTCSystem.xml files. The configuration data is included in the standard PanelPro data files. This change insures that the CTC configuration and the JMRI tables are always consistent.
The following changes to the version 1 files are listed below.
The following file descriptions are retained for historical purposes.
There are two basic types of sensors needed by the CTC system: sensors that are backed by real objects on the layout and are not created by this system, and "soft" sensors that are created as needed by this program for objects on the CTC Panel Editor panel (indicators, levers, toggles, push buttons, etc.). These "soft" sensors definitions are automatically added to the JMRI Sensors table.
When Write .xml file for JMRI GUI support is selected, a minimal Panel Editor panel will be created. The O.S. sections with a column number greater than zero and have GUI Generated before unchecked, will be included in the panel. Use the standard File ⇒ Load table content and panels... to add the panel to JMRI. This is one of the few cases where it OK to load two xml files.
GUI Generated before is used to control which columns will be included in the new panel.
As noted, columns with GUI Generated before checked will not be included in the file. This can result in empty spaces in the file. For example, if a file is created from columns 1-5, a second file for columns 6-10 will have 5 empty columns. If the goal is to merge the panels later by editing the xml file, that works. If the goal is to have a second panel, that does not work. To create a second panel with just 6-10, set the column numbers for the first 1-5 entries to zero and 6-10 as columns 1-5.
Using the CTC Editor, first define all of your O.S. Sections to the best of your knowledge, then create and then load the GUIObjects.xml panel in, and review the results. If you are not happy, then delete the panel, save the panel file, and re-iterate the process (i.e. CTC Editor, write files, etc.).
After defining the CTC system using the CTC Editor, you will need to start it up. On the main PanelPro screen, select Tools ⇒ CTC ⇒ Run CTC Logic. This will start it up right now (on demand real time).
For ease of access during development, add buttons to the main PanelPro window. From the main PanelPro screen, select Edit ⇒ Preferences... (PanelPro ⇒ Preferences... on macOS), select the Start Up tab, press Add ⇒ Add button to main window..., scroll to "Start CTC Runtime" and select it. To add a button that opens CTC Editor, do the same but instead scroll to "CTC Editor" and select it.
To start it up as part of the startup of JMRI: Select Edit ⇒ Preferences... (PanelPro ⇒ Preferences... on macOS), select the Start Up tab, press Add ⇒ Perform Action, and select "Start CTC Runtime". For this option, the PanelPro data file which contains the tables, panels and CTC configuration must be loaded before starting the CTC run time.
Debug (default: IS:DEBUGCTC), Reload (default: IS:RELOADCTC) and Fleeting (default: IS:FLEETING).
Debug and Reload can be accessed via CTC Editor menu Configure ⇒ Debugging. Fleeting can be accessed via CTC Editor menu Configure ⇒ Fleeting.
These are convenience functions, and can be removed at any time.
For support of conditional preconditioning, there is sensor "IS:PRECONDITIONING_ENABLED" that is automatically created. If manually set to ACTIVE in the Sensors table, it allows preconditioning on all O.S. sections.
While this toggle is on, each time a Code Button is pressed and a signal direction lever for that Code Button selects a direction of travel, the program will list out the single rule that was satisfied (if any). If none are listed, then none were satisfied. Note: Even if a rule is valid, the ABS system may not clear up a signal in the direction indicated, and the CTC system will re-lock that O.S. Section.
When this button is pressed, the CTC system will reload the current CTC configuration based on the latest CTC Editor activity.
After this button is pressed, the CTC system will be completely re-initialized to it's starting position(s). Also, remember to look at the JMRI System Console for any new errors.
You should remove this button after all debugging is completed, so that your dispatcher doesn't accidentally push it during a session.
Fleeting is a concept within "normal" CTC, and may not be useful. Most model (not prototype) dispatchers don't use it even if available, due to the "speed" of the layout's status changing.
When a dispatcher had previously cleared a route thru an interlocking or O.S. Section, and it is still clear, and then the dispatcher now attempts to change their mind and bring signals to stop, the system will run time and lock the route and signals during that time. At the end of that time, the CTC system will release and then allow a new route and signal state to be established.
Why? Locomotive engineers always expect a yellow signal of some form before an absolute stop red signal at a Home signal of an O.S. Section. This gives the engineer time to begin slowing the train upon approaching the yellow approach signal expecting a possible red signal at the next home signal.
If the dispatcher was allowed to immediately change a Green home signal to a Red signal it is possible that a locomotive engineer just passed that prior approach signal and saw Green, and now expects at worst to see Yellow at the home signal. In this situation, the train may be traveling too fast to stop in time at the Home signal's red signal, and actually overshoot it and enter the interlocking. By locking down the plant during this time, the route and signals already established may allow this overshooting train to enter the interlocking in a safe manner. The amount time associated with this "running time" depends on many factors in real life: Train speed on the segment of track, sighting distances, etc.
On a model railroad, due to such short distances and the fact that our models can "stop on a dime" relative to a real train, and the fact that we are running typically with fast clocks, you may want to limit this time to say (my default) 5 seconds. Otherwise a busy layout may come to a screeching halt. Some layouts use 30 seconds or 1 minute to "force" Dispatchers to think ahead and prevent this situation. Your choice.
When a route is cleared thru an interlocking, no changes to the route or other signals may occur so long as a signal protecting the interlocking allows movement thru that interlocking.
An arrangement of signal apparatus that prevents conflicting movements through an arrangement of tracks such as junctions or crossings. The signaling appliances and tracks are sometimes collectively referred to as an interlocking plant. An interlocking is designed so that it is impossible to display a signal to proceed unless the route to be used is proven safe. An interlocking may consist of one or more O.S. Section(s).
See Interlocking. The terms are used interchangeably in this document.
When a signal has been cleared, prevent changing the turnouts that are included in the path for the cleared signal.
Button to press to being the process of throwing switches / setting signals by sending control codes to the field to effect those changes requested by the operator. This button may have no or partial effect if there are rule conflict(s) i.e. unsafe condition(s) associated with the requested change(s).
Used to allow "back to train" movements. Normally, CTC systems prevent signals being cleared into an occupied section of track. Example: When an engineer is attempting a run around move, and as the last part of the run around attempts to rejoin their train. The CTC system and trackside signals (the vital signal logic) will actively prevent that. Pressing (or toggling) the Call on feature while pressing the Code Button bypasses the safety checks of the Vital signal logic and CTC systems, and allows that signal to go to its most restrictive aspect. Now the engineer will get a non-red indication which allows them to rejoin their train.
The trackside "relay" logic (on the prototype) that actively prevents unsafe situations in the field. CTC can only force signals to Red (their most restrictive aspect). Other than that, CTC has absolutely no effect on this Vital Signal Logic (except in a Call on situation). CTC systems "sit on top of" the Vital signal logic trackside. CTC cannot clear a signal. CTC can only allow the vital signal logic to allow a signal to go "non-Red". Most of the time this vital signal logic is implemented by ABS or APB systems. In JMRI, this is implemented using signal heads and SSL (Simple Signal Logic) or signal masts and SML (Signal Mast Logic).
When enabled, will allow interlocking signals to automatically maintain an already established direction of traffic. Normally, all signals in an interlocking drop to red and remain there after train movement thru the interlocking.
Summarizes the state of all the signals in the field associated with this O.S. Section. If the center red indicator is lit (indicating "signals normal"), all entrances into the O.S. Section are displaying stop. A green in either direction indicates signal(s) in the indicated direction are not displaying stop, and traffic may proceed in that direction. If all 3 indicators are unlit ("out of correspondence"), the signals are either running time, or the CTC system has sent commands to the signals in the field and is waiting for replies from those signals as to their status.
The "normal" state of an O.S. Section is "all stop", i.e. all home signals protecting entry in the O.S. Section are at Red.
Lever used to establish a direction of traffic thru an O.S. Section. Moving this lever has no effect on the signal in the field until the Code Button is pressed, and all rules are valid for allowing the change to occur.
It is not valid to attempt to change from one direction to the other. The CTC system instead will interpret this as a request for "Signals normal" (all stop) first, and then (after probably running time) with another Code Button press to change direction to the requested direction.
Shows the current state of the turnout in the field. Green indicator is lit is for the normal route, and the yellow indicator is lit for the non-normal route. If both indicators are unlit ("out of correspondence"), the CTC system has sent a command to the turnout to change and is awaiting the acknowledgement of movement to the new position.
Lever used to change the position of the indicated turnout. Moving this lever has no effect on the switch in the field until the Code Button is pressed and all rules for allowing change in the switch orientation are valid.
The set of rules that prevent adjacent O.S. Sections (reached by a possible series of track switches, i.e. routes) from directing traffic in opposite directions into the common track between them.
When signals are cleared over a specific turnout, or the O.S. Section controlling that turnout is occupied, that turnout is considered locked and its orientation cannot be changed.
A grouping of signals, track switches etc. that have a single CTC "wire" to them. Unused in my system, so I will not elaborate on this further.
A single (On Sheet, hence O.S.) control point on the CTC panel. Contains at minimum a Code Button, and other assorted features.
All Signals that protect entry into an O.S. Section from all possible directions and routes.
A real CTC machine has a single wire set out to the field installation. This time delay simulates the delay between when a Code Button is pressed, and a response from the field occurs. During this time, all of the indicators for the changed items (switch, signal) are "Out of correspondence".
The state of display indicators (either switch or signal) whereby a command by the CTC operator has been initiated by pressing the Code Button, and the CTC system is awaiting response(s) from the field. Also may be present for a long time if "running time" as relates to a signal change. This is indicated on the panel by all indicators for the changed system (switch, signal) being out until the response is received.
See "Running time" definition.
When enable: Only while a O.S. section is occupied, a dispatcher can "code ahead" by setting the signal direction lever and / or switch direction lever to the next move thru the O.S. section, and when the O.S. section becomes unoccupied, the CTC machine will automatically code the new arrangement if valid. No "code ahead" for locking or call on is supported at this time, nor is it considered (possibly due to the prototype CTC machine not supporting it).
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