Blockchain for Safety Critical Train Control Systems

So, I found this article I wrote back in 2019 but then never did anything with it, I thought I might publish it but thought it might be worth checking to see how the field had progressed and not surprisingly there has been some development.

Here is a technical article on the application of Blockchain to CBTC [Zhu, L.; Liang, H.; Wang, H.; Ning, B.; Tang, T. Joint Security and Train Control Design in Blockchain Empowered CBTC System. IEEE Internet Things J. 2021] – well worth reading and highlights how effective blockchain

If you don’t have time, here is the “Spot the Dog” version from an amateur…

GSM-R is becoming obsolete and exposing vulnerabilities in systems, just as cyber threats are increasing. At the same time the demand on our network is reaching levels never before approached, let alone reached – we not only have to contend with train control but also traffic management data, intelligent infrastructure data, increasingly data-rich consumer data and others.

This scenario provides the catalyst for the next evolution of railway communications, and one that secures critical communications.

Blockchain Basics

Blockchain is a distributed ledger technology (DLT) that works as an enabler to transfer information.

IBM?(IBM, 2019) define blockchain as:

“A blockchain is a tamper-evident, shared digital ledger that records transactions in a public or private peer-to-peer network. Distributed to all member nodes in the network, the ledger permanently records, in a sequential chain of cryptographic hash-linked?blocks, the history of asset exchanges that take place between the peers in the network.

All the confirmed and validated transaction blocks are linked and chained from the beginning of the chain to the most current block, hence the name?blockchain. The blockchain thus acts as a single source of truth, and members in a blockchain network can view only those transactions that are relevant to them.”

What this means is that we have the ability to simultaneously secure all control, command and signalling messages across the network, ensure their validity and veracity and underwrite the effectiveness of the CCS system.

how this technology unlocks new levels of efficiency and effectiveness to the field of train controls management.

Train Command & Control Systems

Command & Control Systems (known confusingly in rail as Control, Command and Signalling, CCS) control the operations of trains around the network. Traditionally this is done via a colour light signalling and train location devices positioned trackside and an interlocking, providing the safety critical control, lineside connected to a control system with a human operator. The latest signalling technology is refining this concept by removing trackside signalling and moving it in-cab with a head-up display (HUD) approach; providing on-train location devices such as GPS and live communications links to track train movements (thereby reducing the dependence on trackside detection) and automating the operator’s actions through the advent of traffic management systems (TMS) and the increasing use of automatic route setting components (ARS).

As we move toward increasingly centralised and IT-oriented CCS, where safety-critical decisions are entrusted to automated systems and communicated via open-air media the industry will shift dramatically in terms of the amount and variety of data. And the cyber security and integrity requirements that go with it.

Using Blockchain for Safety Critical CCS Applications

Blockchain’s potential in rail expands to many areas including CCS. Factors like crew handling, weather disturbances, equipment performance, locomotive reliability, maintenance, delivery etc. can be tracked with specialised devices and saved as permanent record informing every node (the railroad, shippers, other stakeholders) about updates and changes in real time. This can be obtained through recording all the information within the blockchain, that immediately communicates updates to each of the participating entities, making the exchange transparent and events traceable. Through making the processes less error-prone, faster, and trackable, blockchain can reduce the risk of fraud or misinformation at any of the stages.

Trials of blockchain technology are underway around the world. Russian Railways (RZD) successfully carried over 5000 freight consignments ordered via RZD’s own platform underpinned by blockchain technology in 2017. Likewise, the State Railway of Thailand is investing in blockchain to manage signalling, passenger information systems, and ticketing.

5G: Using Next Generation Communications To Unlock Blockchain

5G is the latest iteration in cellular technology (albeit not far in front of 6G), engineered for uses that require real time feedback. 5G is expected to enable a great increase in the speed and responsiveness of wireless networks, as well as the amount of transmittable data. In addition, 5G offers a network slicing feature. Network slicing enables creation of multiple virtual networks within one and has the potential to enable wireless network connections to support specific uses served on an as-a-service basis, which translates to great improvement in network capacity and potential industry applications. It is worth noting that fourth-generation LTE (4G) has already been incorporated in many aspects of the rail management systems (including advanced terrain analysis), however it is now often being described as a foundation for the 5G network. Unlike LTE, 5G signals can be transmitted via large number of cell stations due to the millimetre wave spectrum – the cell stations can be located on rooftops or light poles, which removes the requirement for large, high-power cell towers.

A number of blockchain projects are linked to the development of 5G networks, ranging from systems management to high performance distributed computing nodes. Adding blockchain to old and new systems can make the operations more secure, autonomous, and profitable. The technical barriers associated with moving blockchains beyond the proof-of-concept stage are related to the required collaboration of the major industry players with private entities and government regulators. Albeit the benefits of the system can be exploited in smaller projects, it is much more impactful when it’s adopted on a large scale - the more entities within the rail sector default to blockchain, the clearer the structure and the better the functionality of the system.

Conclusion

Blockchain has the potential to transform CCS.

The computing industry keeps evolving and it is important that the rail systems don’t fall behind the technological advancements. Blockchain based technologies continue being applied by enterprises through cloud platforms provided by major IT players, including IBM and Microsoft. Looking at the current tendencies, the technology has great potential for being implemented in industry level systems.

Works Cited

IBM. (2019, May 31). Blockchain basics: Introduction to distributed ledgers. Retrieved from IBM Developer: https://developer.ibm.com/tutorials/cl-blockchain-basics-intro-bluemix-trs/