Reliable, Remote Monitoring of Railways
June 8, 2020
The railway station and signal boxes are where all the threads converge: the process must run smoothly so that trains and passengers arrive at their destination safely and on time. To guarantee this, the Swiss railway pioneer Intelis IED worked with Pilz to develop a module for the safe implementation of shunting operations, based on the automation system PSS 4000-R.
Safe rail operation via remote control
Intelis IED has specialised in the automation of control and safety tasks in rail transport and, in close collaboration with Pilz, has integrated the remote controller INIS-TC on the Montreux Oberland Bernois (MOB) railway line. The remote controller is based on the automation system PSS 4000-R and ensures safe, economical rail operation over the 75 km long stretch. At 17 stations, an integrated interface connects PSS 4000-R to the respective signal box.
The control units PSSuniversal send sensor data from axle counters to the communication server and safety controllers in real time. The new module INIS-PN supplements the safe control and monitoring solution: in the stations at Zweisimmen and Château-d‘Oex, the whole shunting operation can now be controlled remotely from the respective signal box. Dispatchers refer to their screen to see the position and status of points and signals as well as the location of locomotives and trains. They therefore have all sections of the track in their sight and travellers on the MOB arrive at their destination safely and on time.
The benefits at a glance:
- – Track sections are monitored safely at all times, as dispatchers receive feedback on the status of rail traffic and signal boxes in real time
- – Trains are punctual and there is higher utilisation of the track
- – Modernisation measures on the railway line can be implemented in steps in a modular fashion
