Measuring and Modeling Aggregate LTE Connection Reliability for Train Operations

We examine the connection reliability of LTE cellular infrastructure for supporting train signaling systems. In particular, the impact of simultaneous use of multiple networks on reliability is considered, along with failure correlation effects. We present a tailored reliability model, and report on data collected from many train-mounted cellular routers. Connection reliability reaches 99.994% when aggregation is used, compared to 99.953% for the best single link. Both modeling and measurement results show greatly improved reliability when aggregating over multiple links, thus indicating that commercial cellular networks may be useful for providing connectivity to future train signaling systems.