Integration and Concentration

Operations control systems for railway main lines and public transport

Modern Operations Management

With higher safety requirements and demands

for maximum convenience with up-to-the-minute

information via different media on the one hand

and the pressure of rising costs on the other,

railway and transport companies today are faced

with enormous challenges. These challenges can

only be met successfully in the long term by intel-

ligent IT solutions. The modern operations control

systems for railway main lines and public transport

developed by Scheidt & Bachmann System Technik

GmbH set the standard for the centralised control

of railway operations in terms of enhancing cost

effectiveness, optimisation of timetables and ser-

vices and for high levels of passenger safety.

Intelligent Concept

Operations control centres are the pivotal point of modern

railway operations management. Planning, monitoring,

dispatching, control and operational safety management

are concentrated in a few locations, in some cases in only

one. Besides rail traffic, technical installations at stations

and stopping points are also monitored and controlled

automatically from these centres. A considerably optimised

deployment of staff and resources is the result, thus increa-

sing the cost-effectiveness of rail transport. Furthermore,

the bundling of all operational data leads to a significant

improvement in internal communication and to an enhan-

ced quality of service: for example, information about any

deviations from the timetable is provided for passengers

quickly and in detail.

Future-compliant Technology

For more than 30 years Scheidt & Bachmann System

Technik GmbH has been developing solutions for opera-

tions management in rail transport. The company has, for

example, successfully installed over 700 train describer

systems. With its operations control systems Scheidt &

Bachmann System Technik GmbH has been setting stan-

dards in control technology in Europe since the 1980s.

This technology and its applications are in a constantly

on-going process of further development and are a central

component in modern operations control centres which

are successfully operating in many underground, rapid

transit, light rail and mainline and regional railways as well

as in train operating companies. The system is scalable

thanks to modern architectures such as SOA or J2EE, and

XML interfaces and web services ensure interoperability.

For cost-effective management of operations in less com-

plex networks Scheidt & Bachmann System Technik GmbH

has developed a control system specifically for regional

lines and industrial railways. This low-cost version is of

modular design, easy to upgrade and offers a wide range

of scalability options. With this compact system, operations

can be controlled using a standard PC which supports all

relevant operational processes.

2

Standardised Workstations

The workstations for all systems and tasks in Scheidt &

Bachmann System Technik GmbH’s control centres have

standardised and intuitive user interfaces. This facilitates

monitoring of automatic routine operation and enables

dispatchers and train controllers to react quickly and appro-

priately in the event of any deviation from schedule. The

result: the route for information from source to destination

is short and all operators have the same information at

their disposal at the same time. This improves the service to

passengers and enhances the attractiveness of railway main

line and public transport.

3

The Advantages at a Glance

¢ Features a very high degree of automation

¢ Increases line capacity

¢ Enables faster handling of rail traffic

¢ Optimises business processes by simplified work flow and greater transparency

¢ Minimises operating and personnel costs

¢ Ensures greater punctuality

¢ Improves passenger information and safety

¢ Is future-compliant thanks to a modular and upgradeable system architecture

¢ Enhances the quality of transport services

Modular System Components

Operations control centres are an important

factor in increasing the competitiveness of railway

operating companies. Smooth operation and a high

degree of transparency are essential for all work

processes – Scheidt & Bachmann System Technik

GmbH’s control centres fulfil these requirements. To

relieve the pressure on operators, all data is filtered

and evaluated according to its importance and made

available as needed to the responsible operator.

This leads to a more efficient performance overall by

improving the organisation within the control centre

and making best use of available resources.

Train Tracking

Any deviations from the timetable are detected at an early

stage by means of comparison of the scheduled and actual

positions of trains based on the data supplied by the train

tracking systems commonly in use today and the pre-calcu-

lated times for each train journey. The received data about

delayed trains is the basis for passenger information and

appropriate action by dispatchers.

Operational Situation

Operators in the control centres receive all data relating

to allocated track sections and connected systems in a

graphic display on their monitors. The current position of

trains, any deviations from the timetable and restrictions in

infrastructure capacity (e.g. due to track closures or speed

restriction sections) are immediately visible. In the event of

a disruption dispatchers are able to react in good time and

take appropriate counter-measures.

Track Monitoring

The technical track monitoring function records the status

of track-side elements in a largely automated procedure.

The data is then evaluated in the operations control centre.

Conflicts are detected at an early stage and displayed

directly onto the monitor of the dispatcher so that he

can take preventive action. This minimises delays and the

sequence of trains is maintained even during periods when

the intervals between trains are short.

Rail Traffic Control

Scheidt & Bachmann System Technik GmbH’s control sys-

tem conveniently provides train controllers and dispatchers

with all the data they need to monitor rail traffic. In the

event of a disruption the system really shows its strengths:

Intelligent disruption management enables fast elimination

of disruptions with only a few interactions. The effects of

any actions by the dispatcher (e.g. extending the waiting

time of a train) can be simulated before they are activated

in a bundle so that even complex disruptions can be spee-

dily and effectively eliminated.

4

Conflict Detection

The current traffic situation and the train and track para-

meters constitute the basis for automatic conflict detection.

This component detects potential conflicts from train posi-

tions and delays and from irregularities in the occupation

of track-side elements and displays them to the dispatcher.

Intelligent functions with simulation support help the

dispatcher to resolve the conflicts.

Connections

To ensure that passengers reach their destination on time,

even when a train is delayed, the control system monitors

all potential connections to the company’s own services as

well as to those of other transport companies. Dispatchers

receive early warnings about connections that are at risk

and can take appropriate action. Passenger information

installations keep passengers informed about current

connection options.

Train Routing

During regular scheduled operation routes are set auto-

matically. Short-term alterations to timetables are com-

municated directly to the train routing function which

automatically adapts routes to fit the new requirements of

the timetable, thereby significantly relieving the burden on

staff.

Operational Data / Area Information

During the last decades the continuous and immediate

availability of information has become increasingly import-

ant. The Area Information System developed by Scheidt &

Bachmann System Technik GmbH collects operational data

on train runs, current location of trains, timetable data,

train formation or routes. It analyses and links this data and

transmits it to the sites where it is needed. Thus passengers

always have correct and full information at their disposal,

train connections are correctly coordinated and resources

(routes, traction vehicles, coaches etc.) are available at the

right time and in the right quantity.

The system is operated by means of web clients in standard

web browsers. Besides direct web clients, the system also

supplies data to interfaces for external clients. Scheidt &

Bachmann System Technik GmbH’s area information system

fits perfectly into any existing system environment. It is the

central data hub for every type of operational data.

Passenger Information

Scheidt & Bachmann System Technik GmbH’s control cent-

res also use the train tracking data to drive train destination

displays, trigger announcements, ensure connections and

dispatch trains. In this way passengers are kept up-to-date

at all times with the latest information about connections

and disruptions. The passenger information installations

are controlled automatically. Any type of display and tech-

nology – including already existing installations – can be

integrated into the system.

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Passenger Safety

Nowadays, most stations and stopping points are unstaf-

fed. To ensure that the passengers’ safety is not at risk in

any way, Scheidt & Bachmann System Technik GmbH’s

control system includes CCTV monitoring, emergency

call points and an emergency stop function which can be

triggered from the operations control centre.

Flexible Allocation

No two transport companies are alike. For this reason all

monitored systems and terminals can be flexibly grouped

and adapted to any organisational structure. Tasks such as

station monitoring and train dispatching can be allocated

individually to the responsible sections. In the event of a

disruption, operators can pass some of their tasks to other

workstations so that they can concentrate on disruption

management. Furthermore, during off-peak periods,

sections can be combined to reduce the number of staff

needed to operate the control system.

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Measurable, long-term success

Facility Management

Users of public transport expect all technical installations to

be fully functional at all times. Scheidt & Bachmann System

Technik GmbH‘s installations monitoring system ensures

that the data from terminal devices at all stations flow

together at the control level. By means of a sophisti-

cated event control function, the system analyses and

filters out the data which is relevant for further processing.

Installations connected to this system include escalators,

lifts, lighting installations and ticket vending machines, as

well as train destination displays, public address systems,

emergency call points, CCTV cameras and many more.

Evaluation

Systematic evaluation of the causes of disruptions is es-

sential for optimisation of railway operations. The optional

function for statistical evaluation of incoming data reveals

existing weaknesses and constitutes a sound basis for opti-

mised planning of operational procedures.

Training Facilities

Scheidt & Bachmann System Technik GmbH provides

training facilities for basic and advanced training of train

controllers and dispatchers. Trainees learn to operate the

control systems under realistic conditions by means of

true-to-life duplications of user interfaces and operational

procedures. The training does not, in any way, interfere

with or jeopardise actual rail operations. Simulator training

increases the competence and confidence of staff to mana-

ge all kinds of breakdowns and disruptions.

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Scheidt & Bachmann System Technik GmbHEdisonstraße 3 - 24145 Kiel - GermanyTel. +49 431 2481-488Fax +49 431 2481-501office.kiel@scheidt-bachmann-st.de

Scheidt & Bachmann Österreich GmbHA-4030 Linz - Straubing Straße 4Tel. +43 732 321177-0Fax +43 732 321177-99office.linz@scheidt-bachmann.at

Scheidt & Bachmann Polska Spolka z.o.o.ul. Wąska 15 - 62-030 Luboń - PolenTel. +48 61 8306637Fax +48 61 8633823sbp@scheidt-bachmann.pl

Scheidt & Bachmann Slovensko s.r.o.Priemyselná 14 / P.O.Box B-143 - 012 32 Žilina - SlowakeiTel. +421 41 5060 111Fax +421 41 5060 118sb@scheidt-bachmann.sk

Scheidt & Bachmann Israel Ltd.Air Port city / P.O.Box 204 - 70150 Ben Gurion - IsraelTel. +972 3 9792365Fax +972 3 9730330office@sbparking.co.il

Verkehrs- und Industrietechnik AGIndustriestraße 11 - 5432 Neuenhof - SchweizTel. +41 56 4163434Fax +41 56 4163435info@vtag.ch

Dunántúli Távközlési ésBiztosítóberendezési Épító´ Kft.Vasút u. 22 - 9700 Szombathely - UngarnTel. +36 94 324-221/107 m +36 94 512-553Fax +36 94 512-580tbef@dtb.hu

Scheidt & Bachmann Sverige ABStadiongatan 65 - SE-217 62 Malmö - SchwedenTel. +46 40 6716 600office.malmo@scheidt-bachmann.se

Scheidt & Bachmann GmbHSignalling Systems / Systeme für SignaltechnikBreite Straße 132 - 41238 MönchengladbachGermanyTel. +49 2166 266-628Fax +49 2166 266-475www.scheidt-bachmann.designaltechnik@scheidt-bachmann.de

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