Increasingly, standards for railway systems require novel solutions for mainstream problems, such as in the realization of optimal energy efficiency for complex control systems. For example, in order to optimize an ITCS (Intermodal Transport Control System) we will require a centralized computer network system that notifies and evaluates a carriers’ particular situation to enable analysts to make informed decisions on problems of great interest. Achieving this objective would enable the reduction of traction energy demands.

Among the basic components in an ITCS are a centralized computer system, a data communication system, and an on-board computer. The truth is there are numerous influential factors, such as, the position of the vehicle and additional vehicular data (e.g., environmental impact, intermodal roadmap conditions, etc.), which must be considered at the design level to realize significant energy conservation. The evaluation of these influential factors involves real-time communication between the rail-vehicle and the control station.

The online-system components are comprised of the parts control centre (eco^C), underground vehicle (eco^M) and data communication. A process-independent, post-processing of the operating schedule will have to be ensured by an offline component in the control centre. The offline simulation processes and mechanisms for the analysis of the impact of simulation decisions are part of the offline component. For the transmission of essential data to the board computer in real-time, an interface to the vehicle database will be defined. The system component, eco^M, contains in addition a module for supporting the train operator for predictable driving. All functions and programs are bundled and stored in the ecoC manager to support a central energy optimal procedure for rail transport. The reduction of the work data for use by the ITCS central station for situational analysis, the selection, storage and further processing of work data, central optimization, the calculation of management decisions and the administration of failure and management decision proposals will have to be considered.

In this project, members of the DIMA group at TU Berlin will play a significant role in the:

•    conceptualization of a knowledge database for relevant operational scenarios,
•    identification and description of data streams,
•    construction of efficient renewal strategies in the event of failures,
•    articulation of functional and technical specifications.

Moreover, we will also be involved in the implementation of standardized interfaces for the transmission of ELS data and in performing integration tests.  Additionally, interfaces for internal and third-party components will have to be carefully designed to meet specific conventions and ensure the optimization of the control system. 

Project Partners:

• The Institute for Railway Technology (IFB)
• HFC GmbH
• BLIC GmbH
• ASCI Systemhaus GmbH
• Modalplan GmbH
• The Chair for Ground & Sea Transportation at TU Berlin
• The Chair for Traffic Control Systems & Process Automation at TU Dresden
• The Fraunhofer Society
• The BVG

Project Duration: 05/2010 - 11/2012