As rail systems become more automated, point control units are increasingly becoming electronic-based and the latest from Hanning and Kahl uses a microprocessor at its core. It features 256 KB of EPROM program memory and 4 KB of RAM with a seven-segment status display and a diagnostic RS232 interface.

The HN-P Microprocessor Point Control Unit can also control the HFP track circuit unit with axial short-circuit detection; the HFK detection circuit for vehicle mass detection; and the HSK combined unit.

Depending on the radio control system deployed, either coupling coils or receiver coils receive the setting commands from the vehicle. The point control unit then locks by a setting command or when the track blocking circuit is driven over, creating the axial short circuit. When locked, the point control unit prevents electrical switching of the point. Driving over and driving clear of the HFK-coil or the blocking circuit unlocks the point control unit.

The unit corresponds to a safety control unit of category 6. It uses modular construction in a 19-in standard assembly rack and will interface to the company's VLSA traffic light signal unit. It features point heating actuation triggered by temperature and moisture sensors.

Bombardier Transportation has received a US$70 million order from the State Railway of Thailand to supply and install its Interflo system which comprises the EBI Lock 950 computer-based interlocking system, wayside equipment and associated communication systems. This is for all four new double track mainline routes in and out of Bangkok, a total of 174 km and 33 stations. The technology meets the highest reliability, safety and efficiency levels. The latest generation has a modular design, offering high flexibility and adaptability to different operational principles. It complements Bombardier Transportation's mass transit Cityflo solution.

While these track control systems provide better operating communications, railway personnel also need high quality communications and Kapsch TrafficCom provides innovative solutions for both analogue and digital communication. The company's portfolio includes radio systems, dispatcher systems, network management systems and multimedia backbone switching and transmission systems with full service back up.
Major projects have been implemented for the Austrian Federal Railway, Deutsche Bahn, Italian Transport Ministry, the Railways of the Russian Federation as well as the state railways of Poland, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Hungary, Croatia and Slovenia.
MAID, the new generation of Railway Operations Communications Systems is a fully digital system designed to handle the central control and processing for a variety of tasks. The system permits train management, communication, monitoring and control to be easily operated from a central command station. It features an open system architecture and a modular system concept. Three different system sizes and specially developed interface cards enable the allocation of various railway specific interfaces, including telephone and network. The operator station is outfitted with a touchscreen as well as an emergency telephone.

Largest network

At the end of last year, Kapsch saw the final stage of an installation that has been gradually expanded over the last five years. This was an Enterprise Management project for the Austrian Federal Railway which uses a universal network management system to monitor one of the largest communications networks in Europe. The system includes inventory, cable management, IP-Accounting and network planning. It enables monitoring and configuration of more than 6000 network components throughout the country. The IP-Accounting solution has a data warehouse base developed by Kapsch.

A powerful simulation tool is also integrated so the current network structure can be transferred into a simulation environment. Here it is possible to simulate load scenarios, for example, to identify weaknesses of the existing network or to plan for the future.

Improved functionality

A railway management system from EKE Electronics improves train functionality, says the company. This means secure and reliable train operation with optimised stock mobilisation.

EKE-Trainnet consists of an EKE-TCN Gateway system as the core product and animplementation-dependant line of other components including local intelligence, intelligent and non-intelligent system interfaces, and data logging facilities with a data radio-based depot interface.

The EKE-Trainnet Gateway is a fully IEC 61375 Train Communication Network (TCN) compliant gateway, which supports UIC 556 leaflet application functions. The gateway comprises three modules; the Wire Train Bus (WTB) module, the Multifunction Vehicle Bus (MVB) module and the Gateway module (CPU). The Gateway is integrated as the networking part of the EKE-Trainnet Train Management System but is also available asstand-alone equipment.

A diagnostics interface can be used for both on-line problem investigation and depot maintenance purposes. The diagnostics data can also be downloaded for later analysis or forwarded to the depot via a GSM interface before the train arrives at the depot.
The system is capable of automatic control oruser-initiated functions such as door-control orbrake-testing functions. A data-logging facility is also available for train operation analysis purposes. The networking facility can be used for other systems, such as passenger information purposes.

Innovative software

Also for efficient railway operation, Qnamic offers innovative software solutions for the optimisation of logistics and transportation planning processes.

These are based on a highly configurable agent-based Java framework. This approach offers the security of standard, preconfigured components, including fully configured, deployable planning modules. In addition, it offers the flexibility if building a customer specific solution as an expandable network of functional modules. The framework provides both the runtime environment and technical infrastructure as well as clearly defined extension points that allow configuration and customisation of each functional module.

The company says standard software only partially meets these requirements, and is rarely able to adequately represent a company's unique processes and business rules. Qnamic addresses these requirements by building customer specific solutions.
A typical application is the planning and financial system used by the Swiss railway company BLS Lotschbergbahn AG. The application covers the entire internal supply chain of the company.

Individual modules include demand planning and quote generation, shift planning, rostering, real-time dispatching and aggregation of financial information. In addition, the application is integrated with an external ERP System from SAP, an external timetable planning software, SBB's SyFa system, and Microsoft Office products.

Each functional module addresses a specific set of business requirements; together they provide BLS with a highly integrated solution that fully supports the company's planning processes and business decision information requirements.

Management system

Interfleet Technology has a comprehensive contact management system called Cardyx which is accessible through the website www.clyx.net. It enables users to find personnel contact details quickly and easily.

The service also includes Natryx, an extranet service that provides users with the ability to view National Incident Reports over the web.

It provides the benefits of a centrally accessible repository of NIR information with intelligent and intuitive drill down search facility, including key word text search. It can deliver an Adobe Acrobat copy of an NIR via the web; and provide an annual reporting facility to comply with railway standards. Comments can be attached and an electronic distribution list provides a visible log of who has viewed an NIR.

The Slyx Extranet Service provides subscribing companies with online information on the health of their equipment based upon oil analysis results. These results are based on a spectral assessment of the chemical elements and compounds found in lubricating oils, plus specific physical properties. This data is provided by specialist laboratories that submit the detailed results to Interfleet Technology for interpretation and trend review.

The interpretation and trending analysis conducted by the company's experienced specialist engineers helps reduce in-service failure costs and maintenance costs. It also improves equipment reliability, leading to increased revenue-earning potential.

Once the oil spectral analysis is received, it is checked and subjected to a high quality engineering interpretation assisted by specialised software tools. The data is then fed into Slyx along with a statement describing the condition of the equipment and any specific action which needs to be taken. All abnormal results are communicated immediately to the client.