Challenging trends from an automation and control perspective
Software-based control systems are today’s standard in long-distance/heavy rail traffic. In light rail traffic driver assistance systems are being implemented and will gain in importance. Some Metro systems even use driverless trains today. The requirements for automation and safety technology increase with a growing level of automation and bring about challenges of its own when it comes to certification.
Rail operators expect standardization and extensive monitoring of subsystems to be able to plan their maintenance efforts efficiently and precisely.
At the same time vehicle systems need to be flexible in their usability. This requires a closer networking of subsystems and the acquisition, preprocessing and storage of maintenance relevant working data. After that all data still has to be transferred to the operator’s land based maintenance systems. Standardizing communication interfaces for the subsystem integration is one answer to those demanding questions.
Shorter innovation cycles and growing requirements of operators lead to an adoption of system development concepts from different technology sectors. This includes platform concepts out of the aerospace industry to simulation systems used in industrial automation.
Calling upon concepts well established in those sectors open up new possibilities for the further acceleration of developement cycles and the minimization of risks.
