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Disclaimer Imprint |
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| Railway Control Technology |
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Europe is growing closer together. The demand for a high-performance railway network is greater than ever before. More and more people and goods are being transported at higher and higher speeds and as a result, railway operations managements are constantly confronted with new and more difficult challenges. The operations control centres represent a platform which ensures availability of a greater quantity of data and more flexibility in operations management, and at the same time results in a decisive improvement in service to passengers. All operational data flow together in these centres and contribute in many ways to higher-quality rail transport. The centres serve to improve internal communication and are the basis for more comprehensive passenger information. Furthermore, they enable optimal deployment of personnel and resources and, by carrying out detailed evaluation of statistics, provide criteria for continuous improvement of rail services.
Operations Control Centres in Action
DB Netz AG is responding to the situation with an innovative concept which will combine the control and supervision levels of railway operations – until now carried out by separate teams of staff in separate locations. Today, rail traffic throughout Germany is controlled and supervised from 7 operations control centres. This concentration of operating facilities in one location and combination of operating levels at one workplace increases the efficiency and flexibility of operations management.
In a consortium with Thales RSS and Siemens AG, Funkwerk Information Technologies implemented the operations control centres for DB Netz AG. The development was based on the successful modules of computer-aided train monitoring installations which have been operating for several years. These modules were up-graded to the latest technical standard, equipped with additional functions and integrated into the new system environment. This procedure guaranteed problem-free introduction of the new operation management concept of DB Netz AG.
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Increased utilisation of lines and improved punctuality without additional investment in tracks
In contrast to underground and rapid transit lines, traffic control of national railway lines is a complex task. The mixture of fast long-distance trains and slower regional and goods trains places high demands on rail traffic supervision. Foresighted management is essential in order to achieve increases in line utilisation and punctuality. The heart of the operations control centres is therefore the component for track and junction supervision. Based on the current traffic situation and taking timetable and track parameters into consideration, conflicts are automatically identified and alternative solutions with their effects on following train operations worked out. The solutions are evaluated and given to the dispatcher for his decision. He selects the appropriate solution and enters it into the route control function with a mouse-click.
Speedy implementation of decisions via the integrated train routing function
With the integrated train routing function, route-setting for regular scheduled operations is fully automated and operational costs therefore considerably reduced. But the new concept of DB Netz AG goes even further. Direct intervention in the train routing function from workplaces enables dispatchers to implement their decisions themselves. The burden on staff is greatly reduced now that the previously necessary communication stage is left out. However, the task of verifying that the requirements for route-setting are fulfilled and with this the responsibility for the safety of operations remains at interlocking level.
Technical track monitoring raises the quality of traffic control and indicates when maintenance is necessary
The condition of the track is inspected largely automatically by the track monitoring function. The results are evaluated in the operations control centre. Technical faults are quickly identified and therefore their effect on operations minimised. The influence of disruptions and irregularities on train runs can be calculated in advance which results in a decisive improvement in the quality of traffic control. Constant monitoring of track installations also means that certain developments can be identified in good time and preventive measures taken. In this way the technical track monitoring function makes an important contribution to optimal maintenance and repair management and thus to a further reduction in costs.
Standardised workplaces so that work can be organised to match the current situation
The operations control centres are multi-task facilities where all data flow together. One operations control centre may have as many as 80 workplaces for monitoring and controlling rail traffic. To relieve the burden on staff, all data are filtered and sorted according to their priority and supplied as needed to the appropriate operator. Alarm functions warn of irregular situations. Problem-oriented graphics present clear pictures of the current operations situation, thus providing optimal assistance for operators. All staff receive thorough preparation for their new work environment through training systems especially designed for the functions of the operations control centres. Standardisation of workplaces and flexible allocation of authorisation to access permit optimal deployment of personnel, in this way guaranteeing a work organisation tailored to suit each operational situation.
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Brochure (PDF) | |
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