A distributed interlocking device, architecture and process are disclosed, and are based on segregating vital logic for a signal installation by type of signal equipment. A plurality of intelligent signal devices is disclosed, wherein each intelligent signal device is used to control a basic signal unit. A signal unit includes a set of signal apparatuses that are geographically and logically interrelated. An intelligent signal device receives data related to the states of other signal devices, determines and controls its own operational states, and communicates its own operational states to other devices. A generic intelligent signal device is also disclosed. Further, a plurality of new concepts, and signal control functions are provided, and include a vital change management process, and a failure recovery scheme based on dynamic reconfiguration of home and distant control functions.

This trackside controller for at least one piece of trackside equipment of a railway network, comprising a processor, a memory unit associated with the processor, and at least one communication port configured to be directly connected to the piece of trackside equipment. The memory unit comprises an area dedicated to storing a logic object representative of said at least one piece of trackside equipment, the logic object being executable by the processor and comprising a plurality of logic rules defining the operation of said at least one piece of trackside equipment.

This trackside controller for at least one piece of trackside equipment of a railway network, comprising a processor, a memory unit associated with the processor, and at least one communication port configured to be directly connected to the piece of trackside equipment. The memory unit comprises an area dedicated to storing a logic object representative of said at least one piece of trackside equipment, the logic object being executable by the processor and comprising a plurality of logic rules defining the operation of said at least one piece of trackside equipment.

A device for monitoring network traffic arriving at a signal box of a railway operating system over a communication network includes a network TAP for reading the network traffic arriving at the signal box over the communication network and outputting the read arriving network traffic to a processor in order to check the read arriving network traffic. A network separating device separates the signal box from the communication network. The processor is configured to actuate the network separating device on the basis of the result of the check of the read arriving network traffic in such a way that the network separating device separates the signal box from the communication network. A corresponding method and a computer program product are also provided.

A device for monitoring network traffic arriving at a signal box of a railway operating system over a communication network includes a network TAP for reading the network traffic arriving at the signal box over the communication network and outputting the read arriving network traffic to a processor in order to check the read arriving network traffic. A network separating device separates the signal box from the communication network. The processor is configured to actuate the network separating device on the basis of the result of the check of the read arriving network traffic in such a way that the network separating device separates the signal box from the communication network. A corresponding method and a computer program product are also provided.

A switch reporting device including at least one display screen, a high resolution camera, a code reader, at least one memory and one or more processors, the switch reporting device configured to determine a position of an unmonitored switch in a railway by capturing an image of one or more portions associated with the unmonitored switch, generating switch position data based on the image of one or more portions associated with the unmonitored switch, and updating a switch position record for the unmonitored switch with the switch position data. The switch reporting device includes one or more mobile computers or an EOT device for monitoring and reporting switch position data for an unmonitored switch.

A safety method is provided for a railway network which is divided into track segments by track elements and can be traveled by vehicles. In the method the vehicles request, from selections of the track elements, steps for assignment as a travel path element. Each of the selected track elements automatically assigns itself as a travel path element for each vehicle that requests the steps for assignment as a travel path element, under predetermined conditions. For temporal optimization of the assignment of the track elements as travel path elements, the respective track element automatically assigns itself to the respective vehicle, in that in reaction to a first request of the respective vehicle in a demand type requested by the respective vehicle, the track element carries out its approval as a travel path element for the respective vehicle.

A safety method is provided for a railway network which is divided into track segments by track elements and can be traveled by vehicles. In the method the vehicles request, from selections of the track elements, steps for assignment as a travel path element. Each of the selected track elements automatically assigns itself as a travel path element for each vehicle that requests the steps for assignment as a travel path element, under predetermined conditions. For temporal optimization of the assignment of the track elements as travel path elements, the respective track element automatically assigns itself to the respective vehicle, in that in reaction to a first request of the respective vehicle in a demand type requested by the respective vehicle, the track element carries out its approval as a travel path element for the respective vehicle.

A track verification and signal testing system includes a central remote location comprising a computer system, the computer system hosting multiple workstations and monitors allowing test engineers to control inputs, and to monitor outputs, signals, and information associated with the verification and testing of a railroad track installation The computer system is in communication via a communications link with one or more automated field simulators, or control point field emulators (CPFE), placed in one or more signal bungalows housing the signal system circuitry associated with one or more sections of track.

A railway turnout control method comprises: constructing a data space corresponding to a railway turnout area (101); adding a virtual railway turnout, in the data space, to an area in which a target turnback stopping point is located (102); adding the virtual railway turnout to a railway turnout list corresponding to a route along which a train drives into the area (103); and not releasing claim of the virtual railway turnout when the train stops at the turnback stopping point (104); Also provided is a railway turnout control system. The method and system can solve problems of deadlock of a turnback area and insufficient safety protection of crossed routes.