Seit 2015 arbeiten wir bei Railcomplete AS unermüdlich daran, unsere Vision für Planungstools im Bahnmarkt wahr werden zu lassen: alle relevanten Planungsvorhaben rund um die Bahnstrecke, vereint in einem Tool. Mit unserem Versionsupdate 2022.2 sind wir diesem Ziel wieder einen Schritt näher gekommen.
Die Geschichte von RailCOMPLETE ist geprägt von fortlaufenden Verbesserungen und Erweiterungen unserer Software – bereits jetzt verfügt das Tool über eine Vielzahl von Funktionen, die den Planungsprozess der Leit- und Sicherungstechnik und Fahrleitungsanlagen teilweise automatisieren. Mit dem Versionsupdate 2022.2 verbessern wir erneut die Userexperience und erweitern unsere Funktionen: Große Modelle werden beschleunigt und wir führen eine neue Schnittstelle für die 3D-Darstellung von Punktobjekten ein.
3D-Grafiken können in kleinere Teile zerlegt und anschließend parametrisch wieder zusammengesetzt werden, wenn ein Objekt in 3D dargestellt werden soll.
Wie das aussehen kann, zeigen wir hier anhand eines Lichtmasts, welcher zeitgleich einen Vorgeschmack auf das kommende NO-BN-DANN-2022a Update liefert:
Figure 1: Light pole expressed as 11 parametrically controlled parts
Ein Patch – Viele Möglichkeiten
Mit 2022.2 werden die Möglichkeiten der jeweiligen Nutzer transparenter und zeitgleich erheblich erweitert. In der neuen Version werden nur noch solche Befehle angezeigt, die für die jeweilige Lizenzstufe des Nutzers verfügbar sind.
Die Ausrichtung von Objekten kann nun verändert werden, ohne Geometrie und Eigenschaften, einschließlich GUID, zu verlieren. Zudem haben wir erweiterte Einstellungen für OffsetProfile und einen Profilversatz hinzugefügt, der die PVIs orthogonal zur Quelle versetzt.
RailCOMPLETE 2022.2 und eine ausführliche Auflistung aller Funktionsänderungen kann www.railcomplete.com/rcdl heruntergeladen werden.
Since 2015, we at Railcomplete AS have been working tirelessly to make our vision for planning tools in the railway market come true: all relevant planning projects around the railway line, united in one tool. With our version update 2022.2 we have come one step closer to this goal.
The history of RailCOMPLETE is characterised by continuous improvements and extensions to our software – the tool already has a large number of functions that partially automate the planning process for control and safety technology and catenary systems. With the version update 2022.2, we are again improving the user experience and expanding our functions: Large models are accelerated and we introduce a new interface for the 3D representation of point objects and alignment objects.
3D graphics can be broken down into smaller parts and then parametrically reassembled to display an object in 3D.
An example of how this can look is shown below with a light pole, which at the same time provides a glimpse of the upcoming NO-BN-DNA-2022.a update:
Figure 1: Light pole expressed as 11 parametrically controlled parts
One patch – many possibilities
With RC version 2022.2, the possibilities for the users become more transparent and at the same time considerably expanded. In the new version, only those commands are displayed that are available for the respective license level of the user.
We have also added advanced settings for OffsetProfiles and a profile offset that moves the PVIs orthogonally to the source.
RailCOMPLETE 2022.2 and a detailed list of all function changes can be downloaded from www.railcomplete.com/rcdl.
The planning process for electrotechnical systems in railway engineering is characterised by many system discontinuities, different planning procedures in control and safety technology and overhead line construction. The planning process is not yet based on a standardised data model and consistent data management. In addition, each national railway in Europe has its own planning procedure.
That was the starting point for me, Claus Feyling and my team, to begin developing a generic planning tool. Since the beginnings in 2015 RailCOMPLETE has been constantly expanded with new functions. Today, the tool has a wide range of functions that partially automate the planning process of the control and safety technology and catenary systems and thus make it more economical for the end customer – planning periods are shortened and the planning effort is reduced. You can find more details about this in the tutorial: Introduction to RailCOMPLETE v2021.0.pdf
Our first customer was the engineering service provider Norconsult AS in Norway, which is still Railcomplete AS’ largest customer today. Since then the companies Sweco AS and Multiconsult AS have joined . These companies are leaders in overhead contact line planning in Norway, and Norconsult is also a planning office in the field of control and safety technology for long-distance traffic. You can see a current project example from Norconsult AS here: RailCOMPLETE saves time and increases planning efficiency.
Since 2019, we have realised extensive pilot applications which focus on new concepts for the planning of control and safety technologies. We were able to prove and show that RailCOMPLETE is the suitable tool for the representation of control and safety technology in 2D, 3D and tables and which functional range the future desktop capacity simulator will have. You can see our demo video here: The JUNCTION simulator
Proof-of-concept: The JUNCTION on-the-fly desktop capacity simulator
In cooperation with SNCF we have developed a comprehensive embedded scripting system. We demonstrated the scripting by importing object data as Excel files from the national “Gaia ” asset database and having RailCOMPLETE convert them from Excel into track and control and safety objects in 2D and 3D – see Converting SNCF GAÏA asset data from Excel to an editable BIM model.
Since 2018, we have been working with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd in Japan, High-Speed Rail Division. At the end of 2021, we concluded a contract for a pilot project, a tool evaluation phase. The focus of the contract is on control and safety technology and overhead line construction. The pilot project will run until the end of 2022. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd is seeking adoption of RailCOMPLETE for use in a future high-speed rail contract in the USA, Texas High Speed Rail project (TxHSR) which will build a closed Shinkansen system based on proven Japanese technology.
In 2021, we were commissioned by the European project EULYNX to develop a first demonstrator showing that RailCOMPLETE is a project planning tool to implement the upcoming data exchange format “EULYNX ” for control and safety technology and that EULYNX DP is suitable to become a European standard in the planning process. This could replace the national exchange formats such as PlanPro, IMSpoor, Gaia etc. and create interoperability in planning for cross-border projects. Have a look at the Eulynx project and our demo which shows that the DLL of the EULYNX format has been integrated into RailCOMPLETE and that the German planning attributes could be created for DB Netz – RailCOMPLETE models German signaling using the Eulynx exchange language.
Since 2021 we have been present on the German market and can help to comprehensively automate the planning process, especially against the background of the planned rollout of ETCS and digital interlockings (DSTW).
We have demonstrated that a RailCOMPLETE script can successfully convert a Class B signaling model into an ETCS model with data points. The script was converted from a Java implementation of the German ETCS rule set draft of the University of Dresden for the placement of ETCS data points.
Automatic placement of ETCS data points based on a planned Class B siganling system at Scheibenberg
Since autumn 2020, we have been a member of the standardisation committee for IFC Rail Alignment With Cant of Building Smart International. We were able to ensure that almost all basic concepts and real requirements of rail planning will be mapped in the upcoming IFC Rail 4×3. RailCOMPLETE will include its own IFC export and import from 2023. A property set editor is expected to be available by the end of 2022.
Catenary modeling with RailCOMPLETE (Source: Norconsult AS)
We are gradually growing and expanding our team of developers, to develop more exciting and beneficial functions for rail planning. We are actively looking for partners to support us in our growth. In the meantime, you can try RailCOMPLETE for yourself – download the RC application and the latest official Norwegian DNA version and take advantage of our extended 60-day free trial for new customers.
Meet us at Innotrans 2022
The RailCOMPLETE booth at Innotrans 2018
Innotrans 2022 is the greatest railway event of the year, from Tuesday 20th to Friday 23rd September in Berlin. Please visit us at our booth #100 in building 6.1.
-RailCOMPLETE gir stor grad av automatisering og effektivisering av prosessene. På mange områder bidrar programmet til å spare tid, mener den erfarne senioringeniøren Knut Atle Stene Andersen hos Norconsult.
-Med RailCOMPLETE som sentralt lager for dataverdier, og med programmering av tabellene i RailCOMPLETE, har kvaliteten økt i forhold til de mer manuelle arbeidsprosessene vi drev med tidligere. Men det viktigste er at tiden det tar å produsere tegninger har gått ned betydelig, sier senioringeniør Stene Andersen.
Stramme tidsfrister og strenge bestemmelser
Knut Atle Stene Andersen har arbeidet med kontaktledningsanlegg og jernbane siden 1993. I 2010 begynte han med prosjektering av slike anlegg, og har siden den gang deltatt i flere store prosjekter i forbindelse med elektrifisering og oppgradering av den norske jernbanen. I disse dager er han sentral i arbeidet med å utarbeide tegninger for elektrifisering av Trønder- og Meråkerbanen, oppdrag «ETM». Dette oppdraget utføres som underleverandør til NRC, som har en totalentreprise for Bane NOR. Strekningen fra Trondheim med Tyholt-tunnelen og videre møt øst utgjør ca. 120 kilometer med enkeltspor og et titalls stasjoner. Oppdraget strekker seg fra Marienborg via Stavne-Leangenbanen og Trondheim til og med Stjørdal stasjon. Fra Hell stasjon til Riksgrensen. Stjørdal på Nordlandsbanen og til Riksgrensen på Meråkerbanen. Det er ikke kontaktledningsanlegg på strekningen fra før, og strekningen er preget av mange og skarpe kurver.
-Prosjektet skal være sluttført innen november 2023. Det er stramme tidsfrister og strenge bestemmelser. RailCOMPLETE bidrar til god gjennomføring, mener Stene Andersen.
Figure 1: Overhead Catenary System plan view, made with RailCOMPLETE
Sparer masse tid og reduserer muligheten for feil
Det er et omfattende arbeid Knut Atle Stene Andersen holder på med sammen sine kollegaer i Norconsult. Han kontrollerer ledningsføring, utstyrsplassering og dimensjonering i henhold til Bane NORs omfattende tekniske regelverk, og at tegninger og tabeller har korrekt utseende og innhold. Det er flere hundre tegninger i prosjektet, både strekningstegninger i målestokk 1:500 og 1:1000 for kontaktledningsanlegg, og det er jordingsplaner i målestokk. Alle tegningene inneholder tabeller med hundrevis av tall som naturligvis skal være korrekte. Underveis i prosjektet, og når det er bygget, skal tusenvis av prosjekterte objekter rapporteres til Bane NORs system for oppfølging av byggeprosjekter, og til sist skal sentrale dataverdier overføres til driftsdatabasen hos Bane NOR, «Banedata». I dette oppdraget lages det ikke fundamentplaner som tegninger, i stedet overføres stikningsdata fra RailCOMPLETE til NRC som datafiler. Det lages heller ikke 3D-modeller i dette oppdraget.
-Det er mange prosesser og mange mulige feilkilder i et slikt prosjekt. RailCOMPLETE bidrar til økt grad av automatisering og effektivisering av prosessene. Men selv om det sparer oss for tid og reduserer faren for feil, kreves det fremdeles betydelig fagkunnskap å drive frem et slikt prosjekt. Det du legger inn i programmet må være korrekt.
Figure 2: OCS pole table and OCS contact wire table, automatically generated with RailCOMPLETE
–RailCOMPLETE provides a high degree of automation and streamlining of processes. In many areas, the program helps to save time, says experienced senior engineer Knut Atle Stene Andersen at Norconsult.
– With RailCOMPLETE as the central repository for the data, and with the programming of the tables in RailCOMPLETE, the quality has improved compared to the more manual work processes we used to do. But most importantly, the time it takes to produce drawings has gone down significantly, says senior engineer Stene Andersen.
Tight deadlines and strict rules
Knut Atle Stene Andersen has been working with overhead contact lines and railway since 1993. In 2010 he started with the project management of such installations and has since then participated in several large projects in connection with the electrification and upgrading of the Norwegian railway. These days he is central in the work on the drawings for the electrification of the Trønder and Meråker railway, assignment “ETM”.
This assignment is carried out as a subcontractor to NRC, which has a turnkey contract for Bane NOR. The section of railway line from Trondheim with the Tyholt tunnel and further east is approximately 120 km with single track and a dozen stations. The contract extends from Marienborg via Stavne-Leangbanen and from Trondheim station to Stjørdal station on the Nordlandsbanen, and from Hell station to Riksgrensen on the Meråkerbanen. There are no contact lines from before, and the railway line is characterized by many and sharp curves.
– The project must be completed by November 2023. These are tight deadlines and strict regulations. RailCOMPLETE contributes to good implementation, says Stene Andersen.
Figure 1: Overhead Catenary System plan view, made with RailCOMPLETE
Saves a lot of time and reduces the possibility of errors
Stene Andersen and his colleagues at Norconsult are working on this extensive project. He checks wiring, equipment placement and dimensioning in accordance with Bane NOR’s extensive technical regulations, and that drawings and tables have the correct appearance and content. There are several hundred drawings in the project, both line drawings in scale 1:500 and 1:1000 for contact line installations, and there are earthing plans in scale. All drawings contain tables with hundreds of figures which of course must be correct.
During the project, and once it is built, thousands of engineered objects must be reported to Bane NOR’s system for monitoring construction projects, and finally key data must be transferred to Bane NOR’s operational database, “Banedata”.
In this assignment, foundation plans are not stored as drawings, instead, the XYZ object placement coordinates from RailCOMPLETE are transferred to NRC as data files. There are also no 3D models in this mission.
-There are many processes and many possible sources of error in such a project. RailCOMPLETE contributes to an increased degree of automation and efficiency of the processes. But although it saves us time and reduces the risk of errors, it still requires considerable expertise to drive such a project forward, says Stene Andersen.
Figure 2: OCS pole table and OCS contact wire table, automatically generated with RailCOMPLETE
Today we are making Norwegian Railway History – RailCOMPLETE is now capable of modeling tracks, switches, track vacancy detection sections, signal, via points and fictitious end points, and figures out the complex signaling system’s socalled interlocking tables by itself. These are detailed tables which describe the required state for switches and track sections in order to allow a certain train route or shunting route to be set and the corresponding signals be set to ‘clear’.
This far we have developed support for generating train routes, shunting routes, extended train routes and extended shunting routes. The RailCOMPLETE development team now aims at producing all 20 interlocking table types according to the Norwegian Bane NORs design guidelines “Veileder for forriglingstabeller”.
The interlocking tables may be generated from a schematic as well as from a geographic RailCOMPLETE model.
Below you will find a fictitious railway station. The corresponding interlocking tables may be downloaded here.
RailCOMPLETE now has a function that previews the associated 3D model for a given object. The example below shows a controlled balise. When the CAD cursor hovers over the 2D symbol in AutoCAD model space, then an image of the associated 3D model is shown from a specified angle (here: from front/left side).
Tired of spending countless hours of checking your railway drawings?
We are proud to announce that RailCOMPLETE objects now compute their own local model checks. Each time an object is used, refreshed or inspected, its model checks are re-evaluated. Model checking automates the tedious process of finding small and large inconsistencies in your model, or between your model and other discipline’s models.
In the example below (*) we have defined Error, Warning and OK distance intervals between neighboring balises in the up and down directions measured along the track. We have also introduced distance checks against balises in flyover tracks or in adjacent tracks. Looking for all objects with a problem is easily done from the Object Manager, in order to review and fix your model before delivery.
(*) ATC for the Bane NOR national rail administration, Norway.
