Trafikverket and Pilz are driving forward the modernisation of railway communications

The Swedish Transport Administration Trafikverket has worked with the automation company Pilz to reach an important milestone in the modernisation of the country’s rail network. Following the successful completion of the field trial phase, Trafikverket has now granted generic approval to the solution “Safe Relay Messages over Opto” (SRO). From now on, the communications infrastructure along the Swedish rail network can gradually be converted from copper to fibre-optic technology.

Contents at a glance: 

• With generic approval of the SRO solution, Trafikverket and Pilz have reached a milestone for the modernisation of railway communications in Sweden. 
• When migrating from copper to fibre-optic technology, the existing signalling technology remains largely in place. 
• Generic approval: In future, Trafikverket will be able to roll out the technology cost-effectively on other lines. 

With the SRO project, Trafikverket is modernising the communications infrastructure along its railway lines, thereby ensuring that the transmission of safety-related signal data is future-proof. The FST (Fail Safe Transmission) modems used previously are being replaced by a fibre-optic solution. The solution is based on the safe, modular railway control system PSSrail from Pilz and transmits signal information securely between interlockings and track-side infrastructure. 

Existing signalling technology remains in place 

Since the project began, Trafikverket, Pilz and the engineering consultancy Sweco have worked together closely. One particular challenge was to introduce new technologies, without the need to make fundamental changes to existing control and safety systems. In the SRO project, the proven relay technology will still be used along the line, while data communications will be converted to modern fibre-optic technology. This enables modernisation measures to be carried out with minimal disruption to the existing infrastructure and ongoing railway operations. At the same time, the solution guarantees safe operation in accordance with SIL 4 and lays the foundation for greater availability of the communications infrastructure. 

Foundation for future digitisation projects 

With this generic approval, Trafikverket will be able to transfer the technology to further sections of the line in future. The associated reduction in the approvals process simplifies the gradual modernisation of the network and reduces the costs of future implementations. 

• Further information on digitisation solutions for the railway industry