Innovating with proven technology

Meeting the Network Rail demand for lower cost signalling through radical thinking and cooperative working.

Lower capital cost, lower operating costs, future-ready.  The path to modular signalling started in 2008 when Network Rail challenged the industry to come up with innovative solutions to lower the cost of railway signalling. The solution should offer lower delivery costs, lower whole life costs and be ready for the future. Signalling Solutions rose to the challenge, undertaking a number of activities to create a low-cost architecture. From this early work a number of design criteria were developed:

The system should make maximum use of standard design.

Where possible existing technology should be used to minimise development and training costs.

Lineside works should be kept to a minimum.

Complicated functionality should be avoided.

Modular signalling was born, the Signalling Solutions system being known as Integr8.

Getting the most from Smartlock

Using our high capacity interlocking has considerable benefits

Smartlock 400 is often thought of as the interlocking of choice for large, complex station layouts with the need for powerful data processing, but making use of the modular architecture of the system allows it to be applied on a much smaller scale. Each central interlocking, known as a CIXL, is connected to a number of virtual interlockings, known as VIXLs. These interface with the outside world and can be applied in low numbers to allow economic application on smaller projects. The flexible nature of Smartlock 400 allows some VIXLs to control small low cost layouts, whilst other control complex junction areas, further maximising the system efficiency. Reusing the well-known technology saves considerably on development and deployment costs.

Each VIXL can be modified independently of its neighbours, allowing systems to be modified and expanded.

Smartlock 400 was designed with European Rail Traffic Management as a key requirement, so its use as a part of the modular signalling solution means that future-proofing is built in.

Making Signalling Modular

Island concept is based on standard designs

The island architecture builds upon the VIXL functionality of Smartlock, with each island built up from a number of standard-design modules. Each module is picked from a standard catalogue of the most common situations.

Although bespoke modules can be developed, the use of pre-approved standard designs both simplifies the delivery and shortens the project timescales.

Making the most of existing systems

Using Network Rail’s FTN system as the transmission medium simplifies design - Over the past few years Network Rail has delivered a very available and reliable fixed telecoms network (FTN). As this system grows in network coverage it makes more and more sense to use this system, which is already compatible with existing signalling systems and remove any unnecessary development costs. It also limits the amount of telecoms equipment required at the lineside, meaning only a local connection to industry standard Long Distance Terminals is required. The LDTs then interface with the well known Solid State Interlocking (SSI) trackside function modules (TFM). These will eventually be replaced with new object controllers, further reducing the equipment cost.

Signalling islands in a single REB

Off site ‘hangaring’ reduces staff working time trackside -

Each island is manufactured off-site in standard to modular Relocatable Equipment Buildings (REB). Each REB has been designed to contain all the signalling, telecoms and power requirements, breaking away from the usual need to provide separate housings, all with their own civil engineering requirements.

The use of hangaring techniques allows the equipment to be fully installed and tested in the safety of a purpose built manufacturing facility. Reducing staff time on site is an on-going goal for Signalling Solutions and we constantly drive to get the technology to help us achieve this.

Keeping the installation simple

Direct drive of equipment reduces trackside works - All the trackside equipment is driven directly from the REB, meaning there is no power distribution network to install. The equipment is all plug coupled to minimise the length of time required working trackside. Because everything is installed in a central REB, there are no location cases, no hard standings, simplified cable routes and much reduced trackside working.

Next generation Control Centre

Traditional benefits and future ready - The Intrgr8 modular solution uses DeltaRail’s new IECC Scalable® product, the evolution of the original Integrated Electronic Control Centre. It retains the original IECC functionality and level of automation and like Smartlock 400 is very flexible in terms of the area it can control, (allowing signallers to control larger areas at less busy periods) and brings with it the forward compatibility for European Train Control.
 

Streamlined Signal Structures

Lightweight signals bring benefits all around.  

Signal structures have slowly increased in size and complexity over recent years, rightly developing to provide staff protection. Sometimes though, radical innovation is required to drive costs down and the lightweight signal is a great example of that. A simple piled base is required, kinder to the environment than concrete, the structure can be installed by hand and simply lowered for maintenance. The need for mechanical installation and the requirement to work at height are completely removed.
 

Reusing the Modular Concept

Rolling out Integr8 on major projects.  Many of the features of the Integr8 solution easily lend themselves to major project. Although originally conceived for secondary routes, by keeping the solution compatible with other technologies means that modular concepts can be borrowed for bigger projects. It fits neatly with Signalling Solutions of a standard project library, where projects are assembled from pre-accepted modules of design – a feature already seen with our library of standard data modules for Smartlock 400.

Integr8.pdf