Digitalisation is transforming the world, also for the rail industry. It is one of the decisive factors which will contribute to the increased reliability, punctuality and performance of railway services in the future.
For that to succeed, innovative system solutions and modular infrastructures must play a central role. Topics such as advanced communications systems, the harmonisation of European rail traffic management systems and autonomous services are not merely dreams for the future; they are very real issues for railway operators everywhere.
The target set by the European Commission is for expansion of the European high-speed rail network to be completed by 2050. The overall network will then have almost tripled in length from around 11,000 km at present to almost 32,000 km. China has already set impressive standards over recent years with notable investment in the modernisation and digitalisation of its railway systems. The successful implementation of innovative technologies such as high-speed trains, digital signalling, automatic train control and advanced communications systems has lent a significant boost to the efficiency and performance capabilities of the rail system.
Future-oriented railway technologies: The transition to digital and sustainable track infrastructures
One decisive element of digital transformation is the modernisation of railway stations, where diverse infrastructural challenges are waiting to be tackled. The integration of building information modelling (BIM) in combination with digital technologies will lead to significantly improved quality in the planning, realisation and operation of railway system infrastructures. The introduction of BIM methods not only eases the path to the digital future of railway construction, but also strengthens the foundations for modern and efficient track infrastructures.
The ever greater focus on sustainability, in the form of a reduced carbon footprint and the necessary reductions in energy consumption, further increases the pressure to implement these modernisation processes in a future-oriented and resource-efficient manner.
Railway applications call for infrastructures which guarantee trouble-free operation over long periods. Environmental conditions can be highly detrimental for many applications in the outdoor sphere if they are not adequately protected. Despite the fact that railway networks are in parts still based on aged technologies, services have already been switched to a digital platform in some places.
As an experienced and reliable partner, Rittal pursues a holistic approach when it comes to railway operations. The Rittal portfolio guarantees a smooth transition to the future, but at the same time supports the long-term co-existence of both forward-looking and old technologies. Furthermore, Rittal stands at its customers’ side throughout the entire planning process from initial engineering to globally available maintenance services after deployment.
The flexible portfolio presents an intelligent system architecture comprising enclosure and power distribution technologies, efficient climate control systems and IT infrastructures, with the assurance of long-term excellent service. From pre-configured solutions for main low voltage distribution systems to modular container-based solutions, Rittal offers a comprehensive range of products tailored to the needs of the rail industry. Not only that: Rittal also supplies robust large enclosures in outdoor versions which provide protection against vandalism and are suitable for use in all climate zones.
Industry expectations for a rapid and efficient transition to digital railways are very high. The implementation of digital signal boxes and the Future Rail Mobile Communication System standard (FRMCS) is a fundamental step towards equipping railway technology for the future. Digital signal boxes facilitate precise railway traffic management and promise improved flexibility. The FRMCS technology provides a basis for seamless interactions between trains and the trackside infrastructure. The European Train Control System (ETCS) and automatic train operation (ATO) improve the safety and efficiency of railway services.
Such railway technology systems are dependent on highly developed IT solutions to guarantee simple integration into the existing infrastructures, the fast processing of consistent data and minimum latency.
Progressive solutions can contribute to minimising the complexity of implementation, while at the same time maximising the effectiveness of such technologies.
Rittal has responded to the challenge of establishing transparent, end-to-end data chains with a number of software solutions of its own. These include the RiPanel configurator and the digital wiring plan pocket Rittal ePOCKET for documentation of the installed solutions.
Parallel to this, software provider Eplan – a fellow group subsidiary of Rittal – points the way to fully integrated digitalisation. This addresses the entire process chain, from engineering via digital manufacturing to the provision of up-to-the-minute data to support service and maintenance work.
The modernisation of railway stations throws up numerous infrastructural challenges. Building information modelling (BIM) gives planners and developers the opportunity to visualise their plans for buildings and other building-specific infrastructures by way of a digital model. The comprehensive and detailed model data also facilitate effective energy monitoring and predictive simulation of the energy efficiency of station buildings. BIM enables potential problems to be identified and rectified at an early stage, and thus serves to minimise errors, avert delays and reduce project costs. The possibility to share and update data in real time improves the collaboration between project partners and maximises efficiency over the entire construction phase. From the longer-term perspective, BIM methods allow maintenance work and replacement investments to be planned more precisely, and establish an improved basis for future planning.
Rittal supplies modular IT infrastructures as secure accommodation for servers and other IT systems. The Rittal portfolio includes both robust racks and enclosures, and smart and sustainable Blue e+ climate control solutions. The Blue e+ cooling units use a refrigerant with a GWP (Global Warming Potential) value of under 650, which is approx. 56 per cent lower than that of comparable cooling units. Infrastructure solutions from Rittal remain highly flexible thanks to their modular system concept and are made available in various BIM-compatible CAD formats (IFC, Revit and others). Eplan offers additional software solutions for planning and documentation. Together, they support the unhindered use of BIM and thus optimise the planning, construction and maintenance of railway stations. This translates to more efficient operational processes and an improved customer experience.
The rail industry plays an important role as a driver of more ecological and more sustainable mobility. This necessitates the development of sustainable solutions to cover increasing energy demands, but at the same time to minimise the impact on the environment. One challenge is to design electronic systems such that they meet the requirements of a sustainable railway infrastructure. This includes the use of renewable energies for power supplies, as well as the development of systems to monitor and optimise energy efficiency.
Rittal offers a future-oriented solution for modern and efficient energy distribution in the form of its RiLineX busbar system. The benefits include simpler project planning, fast assembly and optimum contact-hazard protection.
With its intelligent and efficient Blue e+ portfolio, Rittal also supplies globally unique climate control solutions which minimise energy consumption and thus reduce carbon emissions. The Blue e+ technology is at the same time characterised by high reliability and availability thanks to the use of robust and long-lasting components.
Safety is imperative in the rail industry: Fail-safe and redundant rail network infrastructures are thus an absolute must. Given the growth in passenger numbers and the increasingly evident modal shift from road to rail for goods transport, fast and sustainable expansion of the rail network is essential. The EU is planning to cut traffic-related emissions by 90 per cent by 2050. A doubling of rail-borne freight traffic is one of the ways in which this is to be achieved. The global players among the system suppliers are called upon to base their projects on enduring solutions and standards, and to listen to the demands of the most varied railway operators.
International certification enables Rittal to offer standardised industrial quality and the same high levels of service all over the world. Rittal products are sustainable and designed for a long service life. A certified laboratory conducts regular testing to ensure that customers always receive products of the very highest quality.