Activities
The activities performed by our company in the railway signalling sector include all stages of railway and metro line construction, ranging from design to configuration and verification of automatic command-and-control systems, as well as their maintenance over the years.
Railway signalling is the set of mechanical, electromechanical and electronic (HW/SW) technologies that guarantee the safety train circulation by a real-time supervision of each train movement.
Due to its nature, railway signalling falls into the category of critical Safety related systems with the highest degree of reliability (SIL 4). These characteristics impose a strict adherence to the European CENELEC standards throughout every stage of system implementation.
Design
We design railway systems according to the regulations of the countries railways rules, as well as European ERTMS L1 and L2 standards…
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We carry out Line and Station Planimetries, i.e. the non-scaled representation of the station or the railway line, with the position and layout of all signals, points, level crossings, track circuits, buildings, etc. In addition, we provide the schematic plans for the realisation of the synoptic panel used by the Control Centre dispatcher. Moreover, we provide the plans for the cables, tunnels and technological rooms of the stations.
The activity is aimed at the creation of a Track and Signalling Plan that shows the positioning of main signals with their respective aspects and indicators, highlights the type and position of points, track circuit joints, dwarf signals, shunting and maintenance areas. The Signalling Plan provides also supplementary information such as operating states, planned main and shunting routes, block interface types, signal aspects and any slowdown areas or keys, giving information about the main buildings, tunnels and platforms in the station.
In addition to the classical representation of the schematic plan, also the design of Cable Plans and Duct Plans is carried out in order to define the routes of the cable ducts necessary for the command-and-control of the yard equipment and the related dimensions and lengths.
In this context, it is carried out also the design according to ERMTS Level 2 standards. These standards aim to achieve complete interoperability of the European Railway networks by overcoming the traditional railway signalling differences among European countries, which today require the replacement of both the locomotive and the driver at the crossing of each state border.
The activity is aimed at the creation of a Track and Signalling Plan that shows the positioning of main signals with their respective aspects and indicators, highlights the type and position of points, track circuit joints, dwarf signals, shunting and maintenance areas. The Signalling Plan provides also supplementary information such as operating states, planned main and shunting routes, block interface types, signal aspects and any slowdown areas or keys, giving information about the main buildings, tunnels and platforms in the station.
In addition to the classical representation of the schematic plan, also the design of Cable Plans and Duct Plans is carried out in order to define the routes of the cable ducts necessary for the command-and-control of the yard equipment and the related dimensions and lengths.
In this context, it is carried out also the design according to ERMTS Level 2 standards. These standards aim to achieve complete interoperability of the European Railway networks by overcoming the traditional railway signalling differences among European countries, which today require the replacement of both the locomotive and the driver at the crossing of each state border.
Verification
We verify the compliance of the design drawings and the different stages of system implementation and configuration with functional and safety requirements as well as current regulations…
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The process of verification aims to ensure that the design documents and all stages of system implementation comply with functional and safety requirements as well as current regulations, ensuring the highest product quality standards.
Railway signalling rules, along with their associated interlocking logics, vary from country to country; our teams have gained significant experience on different projects in different countries around the world. We are therefore able to perform verifications on different types of logic and configuration, thus supporting the customer in the verification of interlockings and their components wherever they are located.
There are different verification methods and they cover various fields of application. Configuration verification teams analyse the correct behaviour of the system’s vital core and human-machine interface for railway traffic management intended for use by the Train Movement Directors (Dispatcher) and the Central Operations Manager.
Logic verification teams study the various functionalities on the basis of principles and/or requirements diagrams and, by adopting Use Case and Test Case methods, guarantee functional, non-regression analyses on the system and its completeness, in compliance with the customer’s requirements and the current operating regulations in each country.
Railway signalling rules, along with their associated interlocking logics, vary from country to country; our teams have gained significant experience on different projects in different countries around the world. We are therefore able to perform verifications on different types of logic and configuration, thus supporting the customer in the verification of interlockings and their components wherever they are located.
There are different verification methods and they cover various fields of application. Configuration verification teams analyse the correct behaviour of the system’s vital core and human-machine interface for railway traffic management intended for use by the Train Movement Directors (Dispatcher) and the Central Operations Manager.
Logic verification teams study the various functionalities on the basis of principles and/or requirements diagrams and, by adopting Use Case and Test Case methods, guarantee functional, non-regression analyses on the system and its completeness, in compliance with the customer’s requirements and the current operating regulations in each country.
System Configuration
We provide the configuration of the vital core of the system, adapting it to the specific characteristics of the individual station…
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We support our customers in the configuration of railway signalling systems and sub-systems in order to realise the Interlocking system for each station or line, adapting it to the specific requirements and needs, respecting the highest safety standards (SIL 4).
Interlocking systems have been designed and manufactured with a high degree of modularity and adaptability. So, with a specific configuration, they are able to monitor and control any type of station regardless of its size, the topography and the signalling rules required (which generally change according to the countries in which the system is located).
The system configuration is a detailed design activity. It aims at creating a control system that guarantees the operating rules are applied according to both the general signalling rules (signalling requirements) and the specific ones (Route Tables, Schematic Plans, etc.) for each station and its objects under the interlocking supervision and command.
The Subsystems Configuration aims to realise the interfaces of the system both with the central or local movement operator (through a vital interface) and with automatic control-and-command systems. The subsystems therefore allow the use of the system by means of the realisation of both physical (operator terminal) and digital interfaces. They therefore allow the operator, or a command-and-control system, to check the status of the station and to command the correct operations, always according to the safety standards required for this type of system. Moreover, the interface to other stations via the Italian standard vital protocol(PVS) (‘vertical’ to upper level system and/or ‘horizontal’ to adjacent interloking system) is realised when required.
Interlocking systems have been designed and manufactured with a high degree of modularity and adaptability. So, with a specific configuration, they are able to monitor and control any type of station regardless of its size, the topography and the signalling rules required (which generally change according to the countries in which the system is located).
The system configuration is a detailed design activity. It aims at creating a control system that guarantees the operating rules are applied according to both the general signalling rules (signalling requirements) and the specific ones (Route Tables, Schematic Plans, etc.) for each station and its objects under the interlocking supervision and command.
The Subsystems Configuration aims to realise the interfaces of the system both with the central or local movement operator (through a vital interface) and with automatic control-and-command systems. The subsystems therefore allow the use of the system by means of the realisation of both physical (operator terminal) and digital interfaces. They therefore allow the operator, or a command-and-control system, to check the status of the station and to command the correct operations, always according to the safety standards required for this type of system. Moreover, the interface to other stations via the Italian standard vital protocol(PVS) (‘vertical’ to upper level system and/or ‘horizontal’ to adjacent interloking system) is realised when required.
Maintenance
We provide 24/7 support to movement operators to ensure perfect system functionality…
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We support our customers in the provision of service and maintenance of signalling system.
The service is provided 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and includes two different activities.
Scheduled maintenance
This autonomous service consists of the periodic and preventive examination of the reports that the automatic diagnostic and maintenance systems make during the operation of the system; the aim of this activity is to identify potential malfunctions due to both hardware and software problems and to prevent their occurrence.
Assistance to movement operators
The service is activated directly by a call from a movement operator, for the following types of support: interpretations of the system’s operating alarms; execution of manoeuvres; restoration of correct operations when the system blocks the operation or it gives errors. In the most critical cases, an on-site visit by technicians to the system itself is envisaged.
The service is provided 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and includes two different activities.
Scheduled maintenance
This autonomous service consists of the periodic and preventive examination of the reports that the automatic diagnostic and maintenance systems make during the operation of the system; the aim of this activity is to identify potential malfunctions due to both hardware and software problems and to prevent their occurrence.
Assistance to movement operators
The service is activated directly by a call from a movement operator, for the following types of support: interpretations of the system’s operating alarms; execution of manoeuvres; restoration of correct operations when the system blocks the operation or it gives errors. In the most critical cases, an on-site visit by technicians to the system itself is envisaged.
COMPANY
AZ Service s.r.l.
P.IVA 06925831007