A Method of Transmitting Shunting Signal Aspect Data to a Locomotive with Formed Directional Signal Reception Zone

the paper addresses the challenge of improving shunting safety at railway stations with track sections lack track circuit coding. Under such conditions, locomotive onboard safety systems do not receive shunting signal aspect data, which increases the probability of passing restrictive signals and creates hazardous situations. This study aims to develop a method for transmitting shunting signal aspect data to a locomotive using a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless communication channel. A distinctive feature of the proposed method is the formation of a directional signal propagation zone through the use of shielding elements in the transmitting device, ensuring spatial restriction of the signal area. The paper presents free-space path loss calculations, evaluates the received power level, and proposes an approach to characterizing the directional properties of the data transmission system. A laboratory prototype based on the ESP32 microcontroller with BLE support was developed and evaluated. Experimental studies confirmed the feasibility of forming a directional signal zone towards the receiving device. The results demonstrate the practical feasibility of the proposed method and the high potential of implementing BLE technologies to enhance the safety of shunting movements at railway stations.