Technology

The planning and control of rail traffic is one of the most crucial functions of railway services – and a key difference from road traffic management. In the future, AI and trainable algorithms will optimise the controlling of trains and network capacity in real time. AI will bring all data together, evaluate it and then convert it into optimised instructions for trains and track systems. If there’s a disruption, an AI-based system can immediately suggest possible courses of action: and save valuable time. In this way, it is possible to fully exploit unused potential of the entire network.

The introduction of digital signalling system   (DLST: Digital Leit- und Sicherungstechnik) is a huge step towards a new digital future. Step by step, DLST will replace existing signal box technology, some of which is over 100 years old. This will be replaced throughout the network by the European Train Control System (ETCS) and new digital interlockings (DSTW: Digitaler Stellwerke), which will be operated in future with a uniform integrated comand and control  system (iLBS: integrierte Leit- und Bediensystem). The introduction of DLST has many advantages for the infrastructure. Operation, maintenance and also qualification will be improved and simplified. With the new DLST, we are also creating the platform for further digital technologies, through whose interaction the digital railway system unfolds its full potential. For example, together with track-accurate real-time positioning, trains can be driven at significantly closer succession  and still with a high degree of safety.

For trains to travel at an optimal distance from each other, they must locate each other continuously, reliably and with high precision throughout the journey. This is made possible by technologies such as satellite positioning, digital maps and sensors on the vehicle. As well as the location, they determine speed, acceleration and train integrity and transmit the data to the traffic management system. The digital map is the central repository for infrastructure data and the ‘digital twin’ of the rail network

In the digital future, trains will perceive and analyse their surroundings themselves. With sensors like cameras, Lidar and radar, the vehicles will be able to recognise and classify objects and obstacles on their route. Together with the digital map, landmark-based location will be realised – for example via buildings in the track environment. Disturbances can also be detected and assessed, which significantly shortens reaction times.

Automating systems like starting, acceleration, braking and automatic door control is an important prerequisite for automated driving. For example, these systems enable automatic, high-precision acceleration and braking, and so guarantee exact adherence to speed specifications. This creates capacity and reduces energy requirements, as well as wear and tear.

The wider the use of digital technologies, the more complex and extensive the traffic data. Data from sensors and cameras on tracks and trains must be collected, processed, analysed and made available in real time to AI-based traffic management. This isn’t possible without a high-performance mobile network. That’s why railways and telecoms manufacturers are working together to develop the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS), based on 5G mobile communications technology.

For these new digital technologies to work, there needs to be a secure and scalable IT infrastructure to process the data. Together with other railways, IT manufacturers and manufacturers of control and safety technology, we are developing a ‘Safe Computing Platform’ for the railway sector. This platform is based as much as possible on cross-industry standard software, so the latest developments can be used for railways.

Cloud technology like 5G is a cross-sectional technology. That ensures that all technological innovations work together in real time. This cloud-based data processing infrastructure ensures that the ‘digital map’ can be accessed at any time and from anywhere: as the central repository for static and dynamic infrastructure data.

To guarantee safe train traffic, trains must maintain a safe distance from each other due to their long braking distance. For this purpose, a line is nowadays divided into stationary, physical block sections, which are closed to the following train as long as the preceding train has not yet left them. With the Advanced Protection System, Digitale Schiene Deutschland is therefore working with European partners to develop a train-centric safety technology that breaks away from securing train traffic via fixed blocks and introduces a new type of safety logic. This results in more capacity, more flexible operations and simplified trackside equipment.