KAVACH SYSTEM - DISASTER MANAGEMENT

News: Understanding the Kavach system

 

What is in the news?

       The train accident in Odisha has brought into sharp focus the safety mechanisms needed to prevent such tragedies.

 

KAVACH system:

       The KAVACH is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system by the Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO) in collaboration with the Indian industry.

       It is a state-of-the-art electronic system with Safety Integrity Level-4 (SIL-4) standards.

       It is meant to provide protection by preventing trains to pass the signal at Red (which marks danger) and avoid collision.

       It activates the train’s braking system automatically if the driver fails to control the train as per speed restrictions.

       In addition, it prevents the collision between two locomotives equipped with functional Kavach systems.

       The system also relays SoS messages during emergency situations. An added feature is the centralized live monitoring of train movements through the Network Monitor System.

       ‘Kavach’ is one of the cheapest, SIL-4 certified technologies where the probability of error is 1 in 10,000 years.