In order to introduce new technologies minimizing the impact on ERTMS, preserving its train location & positioning principles, a common view of the Virtual Balise concept was agreed, estimating the train position by a combination of different technologies. The Fail-Safe Train Position specs and functional architecture were defined and described taking into the backward compatibility and interoperability requirements. In addition, a strong collaboration with ESA and GSA European agencies has been settled, fostering the usage of the next EGNOS version as public augmentation network for the sat-based railway applications, improving its development cycle by leveraging on the expertise and needs of railways stakeholders. GSA collaboration also helped WP3 by carrying out the Cost-Benefit Analysis of Satellite Positioning in the railway context. In addition to this stream of WP3 activities, a second stream has been included defining an enhanced safe train positioning subsystem to be consumed by other subsystems. It aimed to develop a SIL4 subsystem that calculates the train travelled distance, speed and absolute position including the analysis and solution of the track discrimination problem. Stream 2 do not include an integration of the output into ERTMS solution.
As far as the On-board Train Integrity is concerned, starting from a state of the art analysis of existing technologies & related products, target scenarios and product classes has been defined. The wireless sensors and transponders technologies have been investigated. The feasibility study included the use of GNSS-based solution for train tail localization. The analysis of installation options considered operational rules. Finally, the specification phase included also the safe train length determination functionality. The demonstration of the achieved WP4 results has been obtained with laboratory tests on prototypes and mock-ups, aimed at verifying and demonstrating right technical choices and to allow the performance analysis.
The analysis of existing Formal Methods was performed focusing the classification of different types of FMs for various uses, including facilitating communication, transparency and collaboration. Moreover, associated survey of FMs in the railway signalling industry was performed. The main use cases for requirement capture, design, development, and verification and validation of railway signalling systems have been defined. They are applied for case studies at the subsystem level, including a variety of different state-of-the-art methods and tools. This will provide results reflecting the potential of FMs at the rail control subsystem level, including the business case perspective. A Level Crossing application area was selected to be used as a basis for the formal methods application, taking into account considerations and trade-offs towards demonstrating the overall project objectives.
With regard to the Traffic Management System (TMS) Evolution, following IN2RAIL2 initial results, progresses were made on system requirement specifications, descriptions of use-cases representing advanced TMS principles and prototypes. Business service applications within a TMS were analysed and the performed activities included: (a) review and complement the required data elements for the Integration Layer, (b) the definition of the system requirement specification for Application Framework and the IF to external clients and services; (c) the development of Key Principles for Design & Test of Prototypes, and of the Key Principles for execution of development and for Design & Test Concepts incl. Report Structure; (d) analysis of applied principles in a TMS, including grouping them into logical clusters and the definition of the list of use-cases to be further elaborated and detailed.
In addition, existing applications for Traffic Management have been benchmarked and together with new functionalities such as ATO a set of use-cases has been developed benefitting from the new technical concepts and representing the base for a future improved and advanced Traffic Management concept.
The WP2 ensured the technical coordination and system coherence between the above technical WPs as well as with the open call projects. It performed a system integration of the deliverables of these WPs, ensuring the technical continuity with X2Rail-1 as with the IP2 Technology Demonstrators (TDs).
The WP2 worked on the functional “Reference Architecture”, including elements coming from the various X2Rail-2 needs, the scope being the overall signalling, control, automation and communication system for railways, covering all the market segments: HS Lines, Low Traffic/Regional Lines, Urban/Suburban and Freight.
Finally worked on the creation of a joint WG between EUG and IP2 about Digital Maps and GNSS Augmentation, and the creation of the Sherpa Group regarding the preparation of the inputs from the CCS TSI (in particular CCS TSI 2022).
