Collision Avoidance System (CAS)

As modern transportation grows more complex and widespread, ensuring safety through collision avoidance systems (CAS) becomes increasingly crucial. This technology helps prevent accidents by providing real-time data to vehicles, ships, and aircraft to avoid collisions.

What is a Collision Avoidance System (CAS)?

• A Collision Avoidance System (CAS) is a set of technologies designed to help vehicles, trains, ships, or aircraft avoid accidents with other vehicles or obstacles.
• These systems gather and process real-time data about the vehicle's surroundings to make navigation safer. CAS can be used in both human-driven and autonomous vehicles.

How CAS Helps Different Modes of Transport?

• Land-Based Vehicles
  • Example: Two cars, one in front and one behind, both equipped with CAS. The system tracks the speed and distance between them.
  • Function: If the distance between the cars is predicted to become dangerously small, the CAS can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. It connects to the vehicle’s braking system and speedometer and uses radar, lidar, or cameras for tracking.
• Trains
  • System: Kavach. The KAVACH is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in collaboration with the Indian industry.
  • Components:
    • Computers:
      • Onboard train computer
      • Station master computers (one master computer and one remote interface unit)
      • RFID readers on trains to track location
    • Communication:
      • Data transmission through fiber-optic cables and ultra-high frequency radio
      • GSM-Railway for network communication
    • Control:
      • The onboard computer manages braking systems and alarms
      • Station masters have interfaces to send SOS messages

• Aircraft
  • System: Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)
  • Components:
    • Transponders: Devices on aircraft that respond to radio-frequency pings to help build a 3D view of nearby traffic.
    • Alerts: Notifications to pilots if another aircraft is on a collision course, with actions to either maneuver or report to air traffic control.
    • Radar Altimeters: Measure altitude to avoid obstacles.

• Ships
  • Systems:
    • AIS (Automatic Identification System): Tracks ships using transceivers and base stations on land to monitor their location and speed.
    • LRIT (Long Range Identification and Tracking): Requires ships to report their position and equipment every six hours to international authorities for tracking and search-and-rescue operations.

Role of Satellites in CAS

• GPS: The Global Positioning System helps with navigation and collision avoidance by providing accurate location data. In road traffic, GPS data can enhance CAS by identifying traffic signals and stop signs.
• Satellite Assistance:
  • ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast): Aircraft share their location and speed via satellites, improving collision avoidance.
  • S-AIS (Satellite AIS): Used for tracking ships that are out of range of traditional AIS stations on