The invention discloses a departure indicator control method. The method comprises the steps that S1, an automatic train monitoring system ATS sends a command to a departure indicator DTI; the departure indicator DTI receives a command data packet sent by the automatic train monitoring system ATS; the departure indicator DTI analyzes the received command data packet; s2, the departure indicator DTI replies a heartbeat data packet to an automatic train monitoring system ATS; the automatic train monitoring system ATS receives and analyzes the heartbeat data packet; and S3, the departure indicator DTI carries out fault processing. The departure indicator control method provided by the invention is compatible with various interface types communicating with the ATS, such as an internet access,a 422 serial port, a 485 serial port, a CAN bus and the like; meanwhile, the control method is compatible with a 64 * 32 or 64 * 64 double-color LED dot matrix screen or a full-color LED dot matrix screen. In addition, remote firmware upgrading can be carried out through a communication interface.