The development of a European, modular signalling technology based on standardised interfaces is the aim of the EULYNX Consortium, a group of twelve European railway infrastructure companies.
Pilz supports the work of the consortium. The technical feasibility of the concept will be demonstrated using a points controller on the EULYNX stand (outdoor area O/628) at the InnoTrans 2018 exhibition. The automation system PSS 4000-R from Pilz acts as the object controller.
Digitisation and pan-European standardisation are the focus when it comes to improving the quality and cost-effectiveness of European rail transport. The EULYNX Consortium wants to create more competition in the market through open standards and expects the results to be lower procurement costs and more cost-effective operation. EULYNX is committed to standardised interfaces and therefore the interchangeability of control and safety technology components. In particular it should be possible to interconnect modules from different manufacturers to form one system. Safe communication between modules occurs via the communication protocol RaSTA (Rail Safe Transport Application).
Proof-of-concept at InnoTrans 2018
Evidence of the viability of this concept will be provided at InnoTrans: An object controller for a set of points uses RaSTA to communicate with a controller from a different manufacturer.
The Dutch systems integrator Sweco implemented the project for the Dutch railway infrastructure company ProRail. The safe automation system PSS 4000-R from Pilz serves as the object controller, translating the incoming RaSTA-standard signals into control commands, which can be interpreted by the end device (in this case the points); Dutch railway experts from Pilz programmed the necessary RaSTA-compliant communication.
Basis for future innovation
The systems integrator Sweco is very happy with the result and views the collaboration as extremely positive: “It combines the knowledge of Pilz, as a control solution supplier, and Sweco as the engineering services provider, forming the basis for future innovations”, says Sander Boekee, head of department rail at SWECO.