ProSig Info Mail 06/2013

Transcription

1 Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear ProSig Users, May 23 and 24 marked the occasion of ProSig, held once again at the Locomotive-Event-Park (Lokpark VBV) in Braunschweig, Germany. For our business partners, for ProSig users in engineering companies, as well as for the regional divisions of Deutsche Bahn AG, it turned out to be two highly informative and diversified days. Following is a summary illustrated with many pictures to give you an idea of what the event was all about. For those who attended, we ve also further a summary of the presentation slides of all the speakers at the event. Look for the corresponding download link in a separate . Your ProSig Team 1

2 Day 1 May 23, 2013 Fig. 1 Welcoming roughly 70 visitors during the first part of the introduction speech, Mr. Uminski pointed out the only way to establish reliable planning processes in LST (railway signaling and safety systems) is to integrate all participating systems into data and process networks (Fig. 1). On that score, this year s highlights included the presentation of four ProSig partner systems centering on both LST and ETCS (European Train Control System). Fig. 2 Fig. 3 2

3 During the second part of the introduction speech, Mr. Forger offered a brief overview of ProSig versions planned for 2013 (Fig. 2). Mr. Müller, acting as host (Fig. 3), introduced the event s first guest speaker Mr. Rosenberger, representing DB ProjektBau. Fig. 4 Fig. 5 Beginning with a brief overview of DB ProjektBau, Mr. Rosenberger went on to discuss some of the processes and tools involved in assuring quality in planning (Fig. 4). Specifically, he illustrated the complexity and sophistication involved in the version management of the underlying IT landscape, a combination known, among others, for causing the occasional processing delay of software packages compiled by DBI and distributed through DB Systel. Fig. 6 3

4 The subsequent presentations focused on the main issue of day one of the event the standardization project of Deutsche Bahn (DB) known as PlanPro. Its purpose is to implement consistent electronic data storage across all planning phases, right up to the final inventory of all participating software applications. Eventually, this data flow reaches the project engineering applications of interlocking system manufacturers, allowing them to design a suitable ESTW (electronic interlocking system). To this end, all PlanPro Players have to thoroughly define all required data formats (interface schematics) along with all planning activities (processes) and relevant participants (roles) for eventual use as standard parameters by all participating systems. The center point of all processes is the LST-database in its function as central data storage device, making it the needle s eye of processes. In this context, Mr. Brödel s presentation focused on describing the strategic orientation of DB Netz AG in the renewal of LST planning processes, plus related PlanPro goals and contents (Fig. 5). He also pointed out a diversity of participants that have to be united at all levels under the same game plan for a project of this complexity to succeed. Last but not least, there are the proper tools needed by planning and drafting staffs to compensate for the increased workload in plan and data processing likely to result from such a project. Given the fact that the LST planning processes are mostly based on DB-GIS inventory data (DB s Geographical Information System), Mr. Meyn gave a brief presentation outlining both DB-GIS and the DB-Ref coordinate system (Fig. 6). Fig. 7 The first coffee break at the event also served as the birthday occasion for ProSig, celebrating its 15 th year as the standard software application at Deutsche Bahn (Fig. 7). Back in 1998, DB started incorporating ProSig as a software application for ESTW system design as part of their planning guidelines. Ever since, it has served as the primary distribution and implementation tool for form and quality standards at DB. Following a brief ceremonial address by the founders of ProSig, (Fig. 8 from right to left) Dr. Fengler, Mr. Müske, and Mr. Goldberg, it was time to cut and serve the birthday cake. 4

5 Fig. 8 Fig. 9 Hosting the buffet, Mrs. Pfaff (Fig. 9, shown at right) and Mrs. Thomas served selected foods and beverages to appreciative guests. Fig. 10 Aside from the presentations and workshops, casual networking offered a third information channel during breaks at Customer Day (Fig. 10). 5

6 Fig. 10 Mr. Buder (Technical University Dresden) offered detailed insight into the possible or conceivably possible planning scenarios of a PlanPro planning project (Fig. 10). His presentation gave one a near palpable sense of the enormous complexity of the structure and dependencies involved, highlighting not only the challenges but also the enormous improvement potential inherent with PlanPro. In his position as CEO, Mr. Zuber welcomed the audience on behalf of IVV and its staff, expressing great satisfaction at the kind of acceptance and perspectives generated by ProSig (Fig. 11). Fig. 11 6

7 Fig. 12 Fig. 13 Mr. Schlemmer pointed out current developments in the software ProSig relating to PlanPro (Fig. 12). He clarified how increasingly complex project tasks faced by planners lead to increasingly complex functionality and how automation is increasingly vital when it comes to manageability in this field. To achieve this ProSig provides numerous functions for extended planning support, called EPU. Currently and in the months ahead, various pilot projects are underway at both DB and IVV to examine the EPU functions in preparation for their productive operation in real LST planning projects. To this end, the ProSig Team plans the release of a Beta version (ProSig 7.0-Beta) for separate EPU pilot projects, beginning this summer. Evening event: The evening event kicked off with a special tour in the form of a special locomotive ride commandeered by Mr. Kraatz (Fig. 13). It was a roundtrip that took us along the connecting railways of the VBV to the Alstom workshop and to the Moll sleeper plant. From Lokpark VBV, we started out on the turnout track near the local bus depot, heading to the Moll plant. On the inbound track, our trip then took us around to the turnout track and local marshaling yard before arriving back at Lokpark VBV. 7

8 Fig. 14 Our tour ride happened to be a My 1142 locomotive of the NOHAB type (made in 1958 by NOHAB in Trollhättan, Sweden), originally commissioned by Danish State Railways, or DSB (Fig. 14). In the late 1990s, some of the My 1142 units came to Germany. This particular one was acquired by Braunschweiger Bahnservice GmbH in late It has remained in operation ever since as a transport, construction, and excursion vehicle, among others. Fig. 15 As Fig. 15 suggests, the weather felt no less rustic than this historic diesel locomotive did on our trip. So, imagine the sight of hot BBQ and cold beverages greeting us back in the locomotive garage. It certainly wrapped up day one of the event on a warm and comfortable note (Fig ). 8

9 Fig. 16 Fig. 17 Fig. 18 9

10 Day Day 2 of the event kicked off with a brief presentation introducing the four aforementioned partner systems, accompanied by live demonstrations of the systems in the workshop corners at the event site. The latter fittingly consisted of two historic railroad cars parked in front of the locomotive garage. The first (extra long) coffee break following the live demonstrations translated into more time for passionate, in-depth conversations among fascinated visitors to the workshop corners: Fig. 19 The presentations included the ESTW simulation application BEST and a recently developed webbased training platform for train dispatchers, both introduced by Mr. Demitz (Fig. 19, shown at left in front). At the same time, Dr. Gerke (Fig. 19, shown at left in rear) was busy presenting the prototype of the LST-database mentioned earlier. All applications presented by the two representatives of Funkwerk AG from Kiel, Germany, are soon-to-be recipients of ProSig data. Here bidirectional comparison is a must especially with data pools stored in the LST-database. Fig

11 Representing the engineering consultancy OPB of Munich, Germany, Mr. Frey (Fig. 20, shown at center) introduced the application ProVI for rail alignment design. ProVi creates the planning bases for LST projects and is therefore the link between inventory data of the aforementioned DB-GIS and the LST planning system ProSig. It further highlights the enormous advantages offered by electronic data transfer. Fig. 21 Traveling all the way from Brussels as the official representative of ERTMS Solutions, Mr. Pinte introduced the application ERTMSCamCorder, designed to support ETCS system testing specifically for all interactions between on-board computers the driver machines and ETCS control centers. In fact, ERTMSCamCorder is slated to join the equipment lineup at the Luxembourgian Railway (CFL), with plans for a separate data interface to ProSig. Fig

12 Representing the Berlin-based engineering company Signon, Mr. Wenzel was there to introduce the application SAT.Engine (Fig. 22, shown in front). This application supports the precision measurement and structural analysis of all rail lines to be equipped with ETCS components. It involves virtual positioning of the required components and an analytical test drive as a means of validating the components properties and functionality on the rail line. The application SAT.Engine presents a further neighboring system of ProSig because it needs data from a signaling layout plan (provided by ProSig) and is then able to return precise positioning data of all ETCS components back into the signaling layout plan. Fig. 23 Plenty of people also visited the ProSig corners where Mr. Schlemmer was busy presenting all new functions for EPU and where both Mr. Zahlmann and Mr. Grün (Fig. 23, shown at right) were busy presenting the ProSig module for the planning of ETCS Level 2, all of which offered plenty of material for in-depth technical talk (Fig. 23). ETCS Level 2 also was the focal issue of day two at the event and, thus, the dominating topic of the remaining upcoming presentations. Mr. Hundt shed light on what kind of data in what kind of form it takes to simulate an ETCS system in an interlocking function (Fig. 24). Specifically, he highlighted the enormous complexity involved in subjecting the generic data of an interface to generic data consistency validation. Nevertheless, the same validation approach has proven indispensable even over the medium term when it comes to generating trust in any interface data that s not human-readable. Against this backdrop, one of the objectives of project PlanPro now is to explore the possibilities of validating interface data through the use of generic approaches (as flexible in use as possible) along with suitable tools. 12

13 Fig. 24 Mr. Zahlmann presented the latest developments in the ETCS Level 2 module within the scope of ProSig (Fig. 25). Based on standard LST planning results, ETCS planning requirements are first and foremost implemented as part of the ETCS layout plan. As implied earlier, this part requires various input data (incl. positioning, speeds, and gradients) from other systems for subsequent compilation into ETCS planning in line with Level 2. This planning data compilation, in turn, serves other applications, which simulate (e.g., simulation application BEST, see above), implement (e.g., applications used by interlocking system manufacturers as described above), or support the implementation (e.g., applications SAT.Engine and ERTMSCamCorder, see above) of ETCS systems. Fig

14 In conclusion of the event, Mr. Uminski offered a summary of the previous two days and thanked everyone who contributed to the success of (Fig. 26). Fig. 26 Once Mr. Müller wrapped up event presentations, saying See you at the next ProSig Customer Day, visitors had two choices. They could join Mr. Sonnenrein of the TÜV-SÜD Group for a tour of Lokpark VBV, or they could board another railroad car a special one, for viewing all the historical engineering treasures collected by Mr. Sonnenrein over the course of several years (Fig. 27). 14

15 Fig. 27 After the event, safe and speedy transportation to hotels and mainline railways was made possible by Mr. Albat and his Shuttle Bus. Fig. 28 Until the next ProSig Customer Day, we wish everybody great success and remember: Full steam ahead! Yours, Volker Uminski 15