Spanish company Masats has completed dynamic testing of its new Radar Positioning System (RPS), a technology designed to dramatically improve stopping accuracy for regional, metro and tramway services. The system, developed by Auto Drive Solutions and adapted to railway requirements under Masats’ R&D programme, was tested at Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya’s COR facilities in Rubí, with FGC providing trains and track access.
FGC’s support underscores its ongoing commitment to innovation. The operator regularly collaborates on next-generation solutions that can be applied across the railway sector.
Radar-based positioning for high-accuracy stops
The RPS consists of a radar sensor installed beneath the train and a passive balise mounted on the track bed in the form of a continuous “ruler.” The balise encodes unique positional data, enabling the system to calculate the train’s exact location, speed and acceleration in real time. Tests show that precise station stopping requires only a 16-metre balise section within the platform track.
The configuration tested at FGC used RPS as a standalone driver-assistance tool. A visual interface in the driver’s cab indicated the required braking intensity, enabling the train to consistently achieve stopping accuracy better than 5 cm. Conventional stopping accuracy, based on external visual references, typically ranges between ±1–2 metres.
This level of precision marks a significant advancement for operations without CBTC. After the train comes to a complete stop, RPS verifies that it is within the specified stopping zone. The system can then authorise door opening and trigger associated infrastructure such as platform screen doors or gap fillers.
Integration with ATO and flexible deployment
The system can be fully integrated into ATO solutions or function independently from existing signalling systems, simplifying deployment. For lines where current signalling cannot provide the precise stopping information required to operate platform screen doors, the RPS offers an alternative that does not require infrastructure upgrades or changes to operating practices.
For tramway networks, the passive balise is replaced with painted raised spot patterns applied to the roadway using standard traffic-line paint. These patterns perform the same function as the ruler-type track balise, enabling seamless integration into mixed urban environments.
Supporting Masats’ adjustable platform door system
The company highlights the RPS as a key enabler of its Platform Adjustable Safety Door (PASD) concept, a platform-door system designed to accommodate mixed fleets with varying door configurations. By providing accurate and verifiable stopping positions, the RPS enhances the operational reliability of platform door systems across diverse rolling stock.
Masats considers the technology a milestone for regional and non-automated metro lines (GoA1 and GoA2), particularly where operators are seeking to introduce platform screen doors or gap fillers without undertaking major signalling upgrades. The combination of radar-based precision and flexible installation options positions the RPS as a practical, scalable solution for improving safety and accessibility across a wide range of networks.
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