Virtual block control system for railway vehicle.

A virtual block system is provided in which a section of track is represented by a zone having a plurality of virtual track circuits. Communication between wayside and the vehicle is established within the zone, and may be used to provide the initial position of the vehicle to the carborne equipment. The carborne equipment can then calculate and up-date its position within the zone by using its initial position and sensor information relative to its movement within the zone. The actual position within the zone can be transmitted from the vehicle to the wayside equipment. The wayside equipment converts the actual position within the zone to a virtual track circuit occupancy. The wayside equipment may also use the train length to calculate one or more virtual blocks as being occupied. The wayside unit outputs the occupancy status, occupied or unoccupied, to the wayside interlocking equipment. The wayside equipment generates profile data which can be transmitted to the vehicle.