3rd UIC RailTopoModel and railML Conference · Page9 3rd UIC RailTopoModel and railML conference / Paris, October 2014 Topology in Mathematics > Topology is the mathematical study

3rd UIC RailTopoModel and railML®

Conference

UIC, Paris October 7th, 2014

Towards a Universal Topology Model for Railways and Data Exchange Format for Infrastructure

Page 2 3rd UIC RailTopoModel and railML conference / Paris, October 2014

Agenda

1 Welcome and keynote speeches

2 UIC RailTopoModel

3 Practical examples and benefits from a shared model

4 A first railML® 3 version; especially for infrastructure

5 Evolution of the railML.org business model


UIC RailTopoModelPresentation of first operational version

Railway Network Description

A Conceptual Model to Describe a Railway Network

[email protected]@oebb.at

RailTopoModel

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


UIC RailTopoModel

RailRail

TopologyTopology

Model(ing)Model(ing)


UIC RailTopoModel

> Conceptual (data) modeling

> Topology

> How do we work

> Components of UIC RailTopoModel

> Generic properties of the topological core

> Railway aspectdescription levels, „vertical navigation“, positioning, functional/physical view, ...

> railML® challenge


Conceptual (data) Modeling

> Method to capture the language of a businessand prepare a basis for the work of IT-professionals

> Mostly used in requirement engineeringReduce/avoid misunderstandingsReduce/avoid costs (projects failures)

> Culture clash between two tribesEntitity relationship modelingObject oriented analysis/ Object oriented design (UML)

> Prejudices still exist ☺

Further reading: UML as a Data Modeling Notation Part1-Part 4http://www.tdan.com/view-special-features/8457

http://www.tdan.com/view-special-features/8457


Topology

> Greek roots: study of places, science of locations

> Wikipedia disambiguation pageEnglish: 12 different meaningsGerman: 13 different meaningsFrançais: 4 different meanings

> Central definition à mathematics


Mathematics Part I

“In mathematics you don't understand things.You just get used to them.”

John von Neumann


Topology in Mathematics

> Topology is the mathematical study of shapes and topological spaces.

> It is an area of mathematics concerned with the properties of space that are preserved under continuous deformations including stretching and bending,but not tearing or gluing.

> This includes such properties as connectedness, continuity and boundary.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topology

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topology


Identical Topology?

YES

NO NO

YES

YES


How do We Work

> Agreement on the problem

> Proposal

> Discussion (always animated – sometimes heated ☺ )

> Solution

> Challenges

> Stress testingpilot implementation, prototype implementation,experiences from ongoing projects


How do We Work - List of Problemsnot exhaustive

> How to deal with interconnected layers of topology

> How to define multiple networks / subnetworks

> Definition of terms / concepts(example: track / trail)

> How to model parallel views of topology(functional view versus physical view)

> Has a nonlinear element (node) a physical extension

> How to deal with time / time constraints / life cycle

> How to deal with positioning and locations

> What levels of accuracy to support / to require

> How to deal with mileage anomalies

> Do we need Metadata / is the available data appropriate for the problem at hand


Components of The UIC RailTopoModel

> Central notion: Network

> Topological core (very abstract, very generic)

> Specific elements for railway systems (Railway aspect)

> Net-Entities (placeholder for the entire railway world)

> Positioning


Toplogical Core

> The topological core allows arbitrary domain specific implementations of network structured systems and their respective conceptual models

> Rail specific implementations

> Implementations in other subject areasCommunication networksEnergy delivery networksOther transport networks

> The recursive multilayered structure facilitates a unified view on more than one network type


Toplogical Core – Non Rail Examples

Topology for telecommunication equipment



Intra-Building Topology



Example: telecommunication equipment & Building


Toplogical Core –Rail Specific Recommendation


UIC RailTopoModel – Description LevelsUIC RailTopoModel Traditional

Railway TermsConventional network categoriesEdges Nodes

MACRO Line Section of Line (SoL)

Operational Point

MICRO Track Trail (!) Border Point (Terra Icognita),Bufferstop,Switch,Double Diamond Crossing,Single Diamond Crossing,Crossing

MESO Line / Track combined

Trail between two Operational Points

Operational Point


„Vertical Navigation“

> A.k.a. aggregation and disaggregation, scrolling between description levels

UIC RailTopoModel supports flexible scrolling between description levelsUIC RailTopoModel supports traditionell view on topologyas well as connexity view

> simulation software, optimization toolsfluidification of a complex junctionre-scheduling of trainsre-routing of trains

Reference: A multi scalable model based on a connexity graph representation 2010 WIT Presshttp://www.witpress.com/elibrary/wit-transactions-on-the-built-environment/103/19759

http://www.witpress.com/elibrary/wit-transactions-on-the-built-environment/103/19759


Functional / Physical View

> Two Micro LevelsPhysical level

• Composition of the networkFunctional level

• Routing information


Connexity

> For „Vertical Navigation“a connexity structureis recommended• Nodes represent infrastructure ressources• Arcs represent connections

between ressources

• Connexity structures can be derived fromtraditional topology structures basedon „physical“ nodes and edges

See UIC RailTopoModel documentation chapter 4


Intrinsic Positioning

> Positioning in reference to NetElements

> General idea: NetElements are the natural carriers of an „intrinsic“ positioning system

Recommendation: Instances of positions are using numbers in the interval 0 and 1 (experience of Belgium and French projects)Alternative: any other interval (traditional mileage positions)

> ChallengesBidirectional transformation between intrinsic and classic LRSMileage anomaliesLifecyle (additional switches, removed switches)


„Vertical Navigation“ Alternative

Idea: model the internal structure of a node

Source: ProRail, D.Kes, R.Nagtegaal 2014 Source: ÖBB, 2014


Usages of UIC RailTopoModelStrategic PlanningCapacity planning + transport policys--> target networkDetailled planningstations, shunting yards,tracks, control systems, ... ConstructionOperation MaintenanceDecommissioning, closure

Business process category

Asset category

Org. Work / System

architecture

IT-technology

centric

Telco equipmentReal estateBuilding(above ground level)Permanent wayControl system, interlockingHigh voltage equipment, lighting systemsTrack substructure

Support analysisRedesign of business processesGreenfield development of new systemsExisting systems

Specific data modelsData exchange formatsService oriented application systems


System Boundaries of UIC RailTopoModel

> Inside:Flexible, generic topological core Railway specific topological objectclasses (recommendation)PositioningIntrinsic positioningPlaceholder for arbitrary railway information objects

> Outside:1000+ railway information objects ☺


Requirements for Data Exchange Formats

> What do we expect from railML.org?Guidance and Challenge

Support systemswhich are built according to the principles of RailTopoModel

Support different viewson identical information objects

Support integrated information flowinside the railway value chain



> Usecase „Annual directory for speed limitations“• Directory of allowed speeds and speed changes• Central information hub between infrastructure (construction,

maintenance) and operation of network• Many interfaces• Produces topology view

of line and track network



An heavy process with multiple data exchanges… to be improved through standardization


Mathematics Part II

“As far as the laws of mathematicsrefer to reality,they are not certain;and as far as they are certain,they do not refer to reality.”

Albert Einstein

Corollary: "Essentially, all models are wrong,but some are useful.“ (George Box)

Page 31 3rd UIC RailTopoModel and railML conference / Paris, October 20142nd UIC’s RailTopoModel and railML conference


Agenda§ Business stakes and objectives

§ IS contribution and main drivers

§ Ariane Model

§ IS architecture and implementation project


BUSINESS STAKES : GLOBAL EFFICIENCY AND PERFORMANCE

Développement-Rénovation /

Ingénierie Projets

Gestion des demandes

client

Gestion dela Capacité

Maintenance : planification, ordonnancement, exécution, analyse

Circulation

Contrôle Commande

Suivi Circu-lation

Factu-ration

Continuous business processesIntegrated Information System

TARGET

Isolated organizations, Chopped business processes, Fragmented Information System

RFF2010 Assesment

Stra

tegy

Cus

tom

er M

ngt

Cap

acity

Pla

n

Traf

fic M

ngt

Mai

nten

ance

….

Engi

neer

ing


SIMULATION : AN EXAMPLE OF COMPLEX INTEGRATION

• At target, all those components should be based on A common Model

Traf

fic

Sim

ulat

ion

Repository

INFRA Logical description (routes,…)

Interlocking Rules

Nominal

INFRA Physical description

Simulation

Simulation Engine

CK Interlocking Logic Engine

Train circulation Logic Engine

A

Operations

Real Traffic Events

Traffic Mngt

Results

Setting

Nominal Traffic Schedule

CKValidated Scenario

A

A

A A

AA

A

A

A

A

Wear & tear Rules for Infra

Infrastructure aging logicTraffic forecast

Future state of infrastructure

simulation engine Works planningM

aint

enan

ce

Sim

ulat

ion

Status

Restrictions

AA

A

AA

• The various components involved in a simulation process are under control of multiple actors,• For best performance and reactivity, all actors and components should be « aligned »


OBJECTIVE : DESIGN IS ARCHITECTURE TO LEVERAGE TARGET, AND EASE TRANSITION

Driven by the business projects for optimization of processes and organizations, RFF IT department launched in 2010 the foundations for an integrated transversal information system :

§A shared vision of railway business objects: one common data model à Ariane (UML) base on graph theory

§A Master Infrastructure Data, available to all (IMs, RUs, and partners) : à GAÏA infrastructure repository

§A shared view of all events and related data, all along the value chains (Network Capacity and Traffic Mngt, Asset management and Works planning,…)à Operational Data Store

§A flexible application architecture à Service Oriented Architecture

Page 36 3rd UIC RailTopoModel and railML conference / Paris, October 20143rd UIC’s RailTopoModel and railML conference

MAIN DRIVERS FOR IS PERFORMANCE

Drivers for a transverse IS Solution

Business objects Model A shared vision of all railway business objects (network topology, Infrastructure, Traffic life cycle, works,…)

Ariane

Data Repository

Static Qualified data for all users and applications Gaïa(Ariane compllant)

Dynamic Structuring events all along main value chains ( scheduling – traffic Management –Works planning,…)

Operational Data StoreBASIC

(Ariane compliant)

Process modeling Dynamic modeling of business processes, under control of businesses

BPM

Data Exchange

Platform A shared bus to manage all inter-application and external data flows (transformation, tracability,…)

HUBIC

Format A standard exchange data format to ensure continuity in topology model, and data quality

railML®

(UIC RailTopoModel)

Cross-domain Intelligence A shared view on all events and data to support cross analysis, along processess or between domains,…

Business Intelligence (Ariane compliant)

REFREF

BASICBASIC

+ SOA - Service Oriented Architecture (flexibility, scalability,…)

Page 37 3rd UIC RailTopoModel and railML conference / Paris, October 20143rd UIC’s RailTopoModel and railML conference

ARIANE: CONCEPTS & BENEFITS

• ARIANE allows progressive modeling of all railway business objects• Designed « per nature » and not « per usage »

A universal model A universal model

• one of the first objectives is to share a common view, and faciliate communication between departments

A common languageA common language

• The missing link between topology (Traffic Mngt & Network Capacity) and infrastructure (Maintenance & Network restrictions)

• open facilities for cross analysis between multiple segmentations

Open to cross-business usagesOpen to cross-business usages

• allows multilevel agregation to support business processes at different levels along the time (from macro to mezo to micro)

• supports time and project management, event tracability,… simulation

Introduces advanced capacitiesIntroduces advanced capacities


2nd UIC’s RailTopoModel and railML conference

ARIANE : MAIN CHARACTERISTICS

Ariane is globally designed on same bases as UIC RailTopoModel

ØNetwork topology, multi-referencing, localization, objects and installations, business events,…multi-levels (lines, tracks,…),…natively geographic,…


ARIANE UML Model

Coming soon….Interlocking

Line Topology & referencing Track Topology

& referencingN

etw

ork

Topo

logy

Network Segmentations

Installations

Signaling

RoutesProtections & ElementaryRoutes

Catenary

Linear characteristics

Net

wor

k ob

ject

s an

d pr

oper

ties

> 200 Object Classes

A

Trafficlife-cycle

Projects & Works

Bus

ines

s Ev

ents

on

Net

wor

k

Customer ordering for circulation


UIC RailTopoModelNext steps towards an International Railway StandardAiry MAGNIEN, Data, Statistics & Economics Unit


Standardization> What is a standard ?

ISO/IEC Guide 2:1996 defines a standard as a document, established by consensus and approved by a recognized body, that provides, for common and repeated use, rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results, aimed at the achievement of the optimum degree of order in a given context (“fit for purpose”)

> Standards are recommendations, not laws, but• they can be made mandatory via law (UIC leaflets are often made national laws !)• they can be required by contractual arrangements• voluntary adhesion to standards is often expected

> International Standardization bodiesAre non-governmental, non-profit organizationsTheir members are “national committees”•“national” = a reminiscence from the past?•Committees include manufacturers, providers, distributors and vendors, consumers and users, all levels of governmental agencies, professional societies and trade associations as well as standards developers from national standards bodies.

Interoperability and Standards / EU experience / 17 September 2013


Steps in standardization

1. Market need è Feasibility study report, 2013

2. Requirements è (Ditto)

3. Specification è based on UML Diagram, end of 2014

4. Approval & publication è IRS, mid 2015

5. Implementation & testing guidelines è (Ditto)Generic model è propose consistent usage“what’s behind ‘macro’ / ‘meso’ / ‘micro’ level ?”

6. Maintenance & review è see presentation : <add ref.>+ possible extensions

Source : CoPRaS


From UIC leaflets to IRS

> Why “International Railway Standards” ?CEN/CENELEC/ETSI Standards made necessary by EU interoperabilitydirectives & TSIs are increasingly derived from, and substituting UIC leafletsThe remaining UIC leaflets should not excessively differ from other international standards (format, structure, content)UIC is member of ETSI and has also prepared memoranda of understanding with CEN & CENELEC in view of joint standards : seek convergence

> How ?IT platform with Rational Doors-derived requirements management toolCoordinated work programme (where are the priorities?)

changes in existing UIC leaflets are expected to trigger migration to IRSnew technologies will follow the IRS format immediately


UIC code è IRS code ?

The current UIC code (chapters 0-9) is well understood, but ‘historic’There are inconsistencies regarding new technologiesOne-to-one correspondence between UIC leaflets and IRS will be sought, but will not always be possible or advisable – especially concerning IT


More internal testing

> Standards reflect established “best” practice

> This does not tell about their usability

è Also Self-Test by UIC

> “ERIM reborn”Network: based on OpenStreeMap + other sourcesAttributes :

EDM (1998) & ERIM (2004-2009) iron network databasesRepresentation : macro-level and corridor-levelAdded value : reduced data collection cost using railML3Date: early 2015


Thank you for your kind attention

Documents

3rd UIC RailTopoModel and railML Conference · Page9 3rd UIC RailTopoModel and railML conference / Paris, October 2014 Topology in Mathematics > Topology is the mathematical study