THIS DOCUMENT ANALYZES THE PROTECTIVE DEVICES USED IN THE ALMATY SIGNALING AND COMMUNICATION DISTANCE AND PROPOSES THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTELLIGENT AUTOMATED SAFETY SYSTEM FOR UNGUARDED RAILWAY CROSSINGS.

Abstract

The article is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of protective devices deployed within the Almaty Signaling and Communication Distance of JSC “NC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy” and to the development of scientifically substantiated proposals for implementing an intelligent automated safety system at unguarded railway crossings. The relevance of the study is determined by the persistently high accident rate at railway crossings: according to JSC “NC KTZ”, during the first 11 months of 2025, 10,668 violations of crossing regulations were recorded at railway crossings of the Republic of Kazakhstan, while up to 50% of road accidents were associated with vehicles passing at a prohibitive signal indication. The aim of the research is to analyze the current condition of the protective infrastructure of the Almaty signaling and communication distance and to perform a comparative evaluation of technical solutions aimed at improving safety at unguarded crossings, followed by substantiation of the optimal alternative. The study is based on industry statistical data, regulatory and technical documentation, research findings of PGUPS, and scientific publications on crossing automation issued between 2018 and 2022. Research methods include systems analysis, comparative technical analysis of three alternative technical solutions (video surveillance, mirrors, and optical infrared sensors), and functional reliability assessment methods. The results demonstrate that the application of a three-pair optical infrared sensor system integrated with ALS-ARS coding circuits enables automatic detection of vehicles at crossings, determination of vehicle speed, length, and direction of movement, and generation of a control code for locomotive braking with a response delay of less than 1 second — without operator participation and without dependence on lighting or weather conditions. The practical significance of the work lies in the creation of methodological foundations for modernization of unguarded crossings within the Almaty signaling and communication distance in accordance with Industry 4.0 principles, integration into the SCADA system of the dispatch center, and implementation of predictive maintenance functions.