Driving in "Moving Block" – Digitale Schiene Deutschland starts Field Tests in the Ore Mountains
This year, the “Moving Block Demonstrator” project is conducting test runs within the so-called “Moving Block” in the Digital Rail Testbed in the Ore Mountains – a central component of the new train-oriented safety logic ADI (Advanced Digital Infrastructure). The details are comprehensively explained in the following video and text.
When operating in the moving block, the distances between trains are optimized and, ideally, minimized to the absolute braking distance. Due to their very long braking distances, train movements are always subject to a safety logic that prevents the train in front from colliding. Today, this safety logic is traditionally determined by the infrastructure. In current rail operations, static sections of track, referred to as blocks, are established that are “occupied” by trains. Trains must wait – regardless of their actual length – until an entire block is cleared before they are allowed to enter. In the project’s testing approach, however, each train is accounted for with its actual length in the network (including safety margins). This approach is called train-oriented; the train becomes the central element of the safety logic. Only the part of the track that is actually required – based on the exact train position and braking capacity – is occupied. The shift from a block-based approach to a train-oriented, flexible allocation of the network allows for a higher train density, significantly enhancing network capacity, especially in densely populated areas. The aim of the project is to demonstrate that the train-centric approach with its new technological architecture works. The Moving Block Demonstrator project is part of the ERJU Innovation Pillar (read article). As part of Digitale Schiene Deutschland, DB InfraGO, Hitachi Rail Austria, SBB, and ÖBB Infra are working together on developing the new, train-centric safety system.
The Technologies
The technological foundation of the project is a train-centric safety logic based on ADI. ADI consists of three fundamental technical systems that are implemented prototypically in the Moving Block Demonstrator project. The core element is the Advanced Protection System (APS), which is also referred to as the Moving Block System (MBS) at the European level. It monitors and controls field elements (such as points) and train movements as a trackside safety system. It receives its “requests” from the Plan Execution (PE) component, which is based on a previously created timetable and translates this into meaningful requests for the APS. PE thus forms the interface to the future CTMS, the intelligent traffic and capacity management system of Digitale Schiene Deutschland. APS and PE are supplied with all the necessary infrastructure data and topology information by the Digital Register. The project integrates these three systems and tests them both in simulations and in the field. The Digital Register is developed and provided by DB InfraGO. The PE and APS components are primarily being developed by the partner Hitachi Rail.
The Test Environment
Field tests are being carried out in the Digital Rail Testbed in the Ore Mountains. The ADI concept of Digitale Schiene Deutschland is based on the European Train Control System (ETCS), the standardized European train control system. Numerous conversion measures were and are necessary both on the trackside and on the test vehicle to enable driving via ETCS in combination with the technologies mentioned above. An ETCS On-Board Unit (OBU) is required on the vehicles to communicate with the APS. One of the test vehicles was therefore specially equipped with an ETCS OBU. This OBU was already present in a second vehicle. On the trackside, modern field elements (points, axle counters) and object controllers (to control the field elements) are necessary, with the interface to the APS being based on European standards (EULYNX). Communication between the trackside APS and the trains takes place wirelessly via 5G. The use of the future FRMCS (Future Railway Mobile Communication System) mobile radio standard is planned for a later project phase.
The first smaller test campaigns have already taken place as part of the preparations for the Moving Block demonstration. The new ETCS OBU has been put into operation, and connectivity between the line and the vehicle has already been successfully tested. The next step will be to test the second vehicle soon and then both vehicles simultaneously.
Outlook
The ERJU Moving Block Demonstrator project forms the basis for the future implementation of train-centric safety logic in European rail traffic. The aim of the project is to demonstrate that a train-centric approach works and offers significant advantages over the current block-based approach. Additionally, the project aims to show how the combination of advanced technologies can revolutionize rail transport and leverage capacity effects in conjunction with ETCS and innovative control logic.
Further test runs are planned in the Ore Mountains in the upcoming months. We look forward to the latest test results and will provide further updates soon.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinion expressed are however those of Digitale Schiene Deutschland only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
