Articles & Papers

• Infrastructure survey for the „Digitale Schiene“ – a pilot project

  EI 08/2022

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  Efficient generation of asset data for the Netzbezirk Halle (Saale) thanks to Mobile Mapping and AI-based Automated Object Recognition.

• EULYNX DataPrep – the European exchange format for signalling engineering data

  SD 06/2022

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  European railway infrastructure managers (IM) have been working on data models for recording, planning and managing their signalling systems for some years now. The motivations differ according to each IM; Network Rail’s SDEF model focuses on asset inventory and data exchange in the planning process, while the DB Netz PlanPro model focuses on data exchange with the signalling manufacturers. Continuous digital data exchange offers considerable advantages and saving potentials at a national level. An internationally coordinated data interface would multiply the benefits. This has given rise to the creation of a harmonised European data model for the planning of signalling installations.

• The first ETCS project at an NE

  SD 07_08/2021

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  The introduction of ETCS (European Train Control System) is progressing both on-board and trackside. In Germany, DB Netz AG, the manager of the federal railway infrastructure, is implementing the ETCS Level 1 Limited Supervision (L1 LS) (as “ETCS signalgeführt”) and ETCS Level 2 (L2) variants. By contrast, there has been no implementation to date in the area of non-federally owned railways (German abbreviation: NE). Norddeutsche Eisenbahngesellschaft Niebüll GmbH (neg) is the first NE in Germany to launch an ETCS project. The aim is to implement ETCS Level 1 Full Supervision (L1 FS). This article provides insight into an exciting first application project.

• Nationwide infrastructure data collection and verification for the Norwegian ERTMS project

  SD 12/2020

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  In the course of the implementation of ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) in Norway, the infrastructure operator Bane NOR implemented the IDAM project (Infrastructure Data Acquisition and Management) in cooperation with Signon. The objective was to provide up-to-date and nationwide uniform data for ETCS (European Train Control System) project planning. The project entailed capturing the entire 4000 km railway network using mobile mapping technology, surveying more than 60.000 objects and updating the central asset database BaneData and adding topology and geodata.

• Leave no data gaps – geodata modelling using RailTopoModel

  SD 05/2020

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  Infrastructure models provide a framework for the description of railway systems in appropriate data formats. While two topology modelling methods are currently being discussed, namely the node-edge model (NEM) and the UIC RailTopoModel (RTM), less attention has been paid to the modelling of positioning and, more precisely, geographic in- formation. Yet, RTM already includes a concept for the integration of positioning information, which is presented and discussed in this article. Core modelling aspects are exemplified in the GeoPackage geodata format.

• Automated Capture of Railway Infrastructure Data

  SD 12/2019

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  In this article, we will present practical solutions on how current information can be optimally made available through the use of modular acquisition systems, object extraction by means of artifical intelligence and GIS-based data analysis.

• The RIMcomb project: development of new digital tools in BIM for the equipment industry

  SD 09/2019

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  Given the growing demand in 2015/2016 for the use of digital planning methods in Building Information Modeling (BIM) at Deutsche Bahn AG, it became clear at a very early stage that such developments would not be limited to structural traffic facilities, but could also entail a high efficiency potential for electric rail equipment technologies.

• Using state machines to test for verification and acceptance

  SD 07/2019

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  As system complexity increases, comprehensive testing is becoming ever more important, especially in transport systems where failures may put human lives at risk. There- fore, the EULYNX initiative has decided to implement state machine tests as early as in the specification phase. State machines enable the complete and unambiguous definition of a system’s behaviour. The resulting advantages of state machines can also be applied in the subsequent system acceptance by means of automated test specification.

• The potential of georeferenced railway infrastructure data

  SD 11/2018

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  The immense geographic extent and complexity of railway networks imposes enormous demands on recording and data processing systems. Data suppliers need to meet the requirements of all the fields of the railway trackside equipment industry and to efficiently derive and provide consistent infrastructure data. This article examines the challenges faced when collecting, analysing and managing this data and presents measures zu optimise these processes. The focus is set on the analysis of georeferenced data using geographic information systems (GIS).

• Automated recognition of infrastructure elements using neural networks

  SD 09/2018

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  Artificial intelligence is one of today’s megatrends that are shaking up various industries due to its immense potential for efficiency and automation. The rail industry also has a number of fields of application for artificial intelligence. This article examines, in addition to the basics of artificial intelligence, different applications for digital planning and analysis of rail infrastructures.

• The verification and validation of executable specification models

  SD 06/2018

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  More and more development projects for railway systems are making use of specifications based on executable requirement models. The ensuing promise of higher quality specifications and the easy reutilisation of such models, however, can only be kept, if these models meet high quality requirements. This article describes a systematic approach to the verification and validation of requirement models which are capable of ensuring this required quality.

• Approaches to modelling electrical equipment for rail systems using the BIM tool

  SD 05/2018

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  The introduction of the “Timetable for Digital Planning and Construction” by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure at the end of 2015 required Deutsche Bahn (DB AG) to adopt and introduce BIM methodology in its projects in order to improve deadline compliance, increase efficiency and enhance quality (BIM – Building Information Modelling). Pursuant to the provisions thereof, DB AG has developed an implementation strategy (BIM methodology) which defines the guidelines for the structural and practical application requirements as well as test procedures for the relevant pilot projects. The introduction and implementation of such a “BIM methodology by DB AG” will have a significant impact on the entire planning, implementation, operation and maintenance process in the future. The following explanations deal specifically with the requirements for the modelling of electrical equipment technology.

• Digital planning processes of railway equipment technology – barriers and approaches

  SD 07/2016

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  Currently, politics and business are placing great importance on digitisation. The multi-stage plan of the German Federal Government explicitly encourages the introduction of BIM (Building Information Modelling) for the management of construction projects. Unlike BIM, where railway equipment technology (such as signalling, electrification and telecommunication) is concerned, the development of digital processes is limited to specific application scenarios within the scope of the planning phase and to specific tasks. Strikingly, digital processes are seldom used today.