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Design of tecnological systems
Italferr plans and builds advanced technological systems intended for railway traffic and develops integrated and reliable solutions for increasing traffic potential and safety on networks, additionally enabling reductions in operational and maintenance costs. On the basis of technological standards and functional specifications, Italferr prepares technical conditions, is responsible for contracting out and supervising work, carries out quality checks on supplies and fulfils all necessary functional tests up to the pre-operational stage.
Italferr has a presence both in the traditional facilities sector and in the entire innovative technology sector.
INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
ERTMS - European Rail Traffic Management System
ERTMS is a signalling system specified by the European Union for the purpose of defining a command, control and coordination system for railway traffic to enable interoperability between European high speed lines. The first ERTMS facility was built on the new Rome-Naples High Speed/High Capacity line.
Italian high speed lines are equipped with the level 2 ERTMS system, a radio-communications-based train control system. Lateral signals area eliminated and maximum speed is 300km/h. The ERTMS is already active on the following operational stretches: Turin-Novara and Rome-Naples.
The SCMT train operation control system
The purpose of the SCMT is to constantly protect the train’s running with regards to specific limits:
signalling
maximum train speed and gradient of the line run-down times and speed reductions
whenever the instantaneous speed becomes too high compared to the above-mentioned limits, the system intervenes via a braking command.
The system is composed of a transponder (balise) and an encoder installed along the line and an on-board antenna that receives data and supplies power to the balise during the passing of the train. This new CTE has already been implemented over approximately 11.400km of line.
SSC - Driving Support System
The SSC system is a safety system for train running that provides the train driver with an auxiliary. It checks the permissible train speed compared to the maximum line speed and signal status.
Whenever the instantaneous speed is too high, the system intervenes via a braking command.
The System uses a transmission technology with a microwave transponder of the "Telepass" type.
The System, applicable on lines of which the maximum speed is 150km/h, is complementary to the SCMT System and, has been fitted on approximately 5700km of line, wherever, for reasons linked to scarcity of traffic, no SCMT has been planned.
ACC– Central Computerized System
The ACC is the most up to date system for train traffic control and management at stations. It includes a unit for processing movement logics, an operator interface unit, equipped with video terminals and with a support function, which manages diagnostics, maintenance and service functions.
Technical and operational advantages of the ACC:
improving service to customers
more regularity of operation maximum safety levels
increasing traffic potential on the facility
reducing time spent out-of-service by the facility simple to operate
optimises maintenance phases
manages anomalies and emergencies with top safety levels
The ACC system has been started up in over 50 Italian stations, among which Rome Termini, Rome Ostiense, Venice Mestre, Milan Rogoredo stations. Among others, during the course of 2008, there area plans to activate the ACC at Pisa Central station, while in 2009 it’ll be the turn of the Bologna Central ACC.
CCS - Command and Control System
The CCS is a computerized technological system that enables remote-control and telecontrol of traffic and associated activities on the railway lines of an entire area - Hubs or Main Lines
The CCS system has the following functions:
Regulating and supervising traffic circulation Managing diagnostics from the technological systems at the central control point and at peripheral posts
Information to the public statistics for traffic data
connection to other systems
GSM-R Network
FS has created its own GSM-R mobile telephony network (where R stands for railway) for voice and data transmission. Currently, coverage extends over approximately 9000km of line and enables duty communications in normal operating conditions and above all in emergency conditions on the chief main railway lines (naturally, including HS/HC stretches)
Telecommunications
The new Integrated Telephony system has been developed and fitted in various applications. Building the more up to date technology for in-tunnel GSM radio coverage is at the completion stage.
TRADITIONAL FACILITIES
Innovative technologies represent the natural development of traditional plant engineering technologies in the train traffic circulation safety sector which has always underscored FS’ entire philosophy. Aside from innovative facilities, Italferr has the know-how and is responsible for planning and implementing a vast range of traditional safety and signalling systems which are still widely used.
The safety of traffic within stations is ensured by the PBRRI (Push-Button Route-Related Interlocking) systems that create all safety conditions via cable or relay electromechanical technology.
Safety of trains on the line is ensured by various types of automatic block system. For TAF lines requiring more trains on stretches, the CCBS (Coded Current Block System) with cab signalling is used, while for single-track lines or low capacity demand traffic lines the BCA (Axle Counting Block).
A predecessor to the innovative CCS is the CTC (Centralised Traffic Control) used on secondary lines, that makes it possible to remote-control stations and manage traffic from a central control point.
The Level Crossings along the line are managed by relay logic automatic safety systems to command barriers.
ATN (Train Number Announcement) facilities enable automatic transmission of the exact "Sequence of Trains" between adjoining stations, eliminating the need for associated telephone communications between the Movements Inspectors and recordings on the module in use.
