Zugbeeinflussungssystem S-Bahn Berlin
Encyclopedia
The Berlin S-Bahn Train Control System - Zugbeeinflussungssystem S-Bahn Berlin (ZBS) - is a train protection system based on Eurobalises that is designed for the specific requirements of the S-Bahn Berlin rapid transit
rail network. It is able to gradually replace the old system based on train stop
s with overlap safety.
The Berlin S-Bahn system has its own tracks that is completely separate from the national rail network although most lines run in parallel with the normal railways. Although a heavy rail system the vehicle fleet is specialized for the Berlin rail network with its closest cousins in the S-Bahn Hamburg (which switched to 1200 Volt however instead of 750 Volt third rail in Berlin). Berlin was among the first to introduce an automated train protection system based on metal bar at the height of the first bogie where the trip cock is placed. The metal bar (also named "Streckenanschlag" / track stop collar) folds away to allow passing. If the metal bar is up it will also catch the train by sliding along the outer frame. The train stops are installed at some distance before the actual critical point (junction, station) so that with an assumed maximum speed the train can be halted.
The old system had worked for almost a century although there were a number of exceptions - notably the train speed is not controlled at all and the train stops have no function for a train passing at higher speed. To improve safety the S-Bahn Berlin GmbH (train operator), DB Netz AG (rail track operator) and Siemens Transportation System (train system manufacturer) started research on a system based on ETCS Level 1. The development was done in parallel with the evolution of ETCS since the mid 1990s and the results were first shown on the InnoTrans
2002 fair. In August 2007 a contract with Siemens was closed on the delivery of cab signaling for 600 trains and the 332 km wayside signaling at a cost of 130 million Euro.
The installation will be performed in 20 stages over a period starting in 2010 until 2015. The first activation in daily routine is scheduled for 11 October 2011 on the S1 line - reconstruction of all north-south lines (S1, S2, S6) will commence in 2011. The investigation committee of the Senate of Berlin
pointed out that the admission certificate of the most common traction vehicles will run out in 2017 - given the (non-fatal) train accidents in 2001 and 2002 due to exceeding speed (that allowed to overrun the overlap distance hitting another train that was still in the station) it is expected that the Eisenbahn-Bundesamt will require a modern train stop system to be installed during the renovation as a prerequisite for a renewed admission. Prolonging the old admission will unlikely to be available for more than three years making the ZBS train control system a requirement for any movement authority in the S-Bahn rail network presumably by 2018 and no later than 2020.
Using a special design allows to reuse the old wayside signals - the transparent data balises are connected to the older distant and stop signals. Given the lower maximum speed of the rapid transit system the Eurobalises can be placed a shorter distance. The cab computer software is much simpler as the weight of the train can be inferred from an assumed maximum. The sum of advantages makes the system faster and cheaper than using a plain ECTS level 1 train protection system.
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
rail network. It is able to gradually replace the old system based on train stop
Train stop
Part of a railway signalling system, a train stop or trip stop is a train protection device that automatically stops a train if it attempts to pass a signal when the signal aspect and operating rules prohibit such movement, or if it attempts to pass at an excessive speed.- Basic operation :The...
s with overlap safety.
History
The old system had worked for almost a century although there were a number of exceptions - notably the train speed is not controlled at all and the train stops have no function for a train passing at higher speed. To improve safety the S-Bahn Berlin GmbH (train operator), DB Netz AG (rail track operator) and Siemens Transportation System (train system manufacturer) started research on a system based on ETCS Level 1. The development was done in parallel with the evolution of ETCS since the mid 1990s and the results were first shown on the InnoTrans
InnoTrans
InnoTrans is the world's largest trade fair focused on the rail transport industry. It is held every two years at the Messe Berlin exhibition centre, which has outdoor standard gauge railway sidings which can be used to exhibit railway vehicles...
2002 fair. In August 2007 a contract with Siemens was closed on the delivery of cab signaling for 600 trains and the 332 km wayside signaling at a cost of 130 million Euro.
The installation will be performed in 20 stages over a period starting in 2010 until 2015. The first activation in daily routine is scheduled for 11 October 2011 on the S1 line - reconstruction of all north-south lines (S1, S2, S6) will commence in 2011. The investigation committee of the Senate of Berlin
Senate of Berlin
The Senate of Berlin is the executive body governing the city of Berlin, which at the same time is a state of Germany. According to the Constitution of Berlin the Senate consists of the Governing Mayor of Berlin and up to eight Senators appointed by the Governing Mayor, two of whom are appointed ...
pointed out that the admission certificate of the most common traction vehicles will run out in 2017 - given the (non-fatal) train accidents in 2001 and 2002 due to exceeding speed (that allowed to overrun the overlap distance hitting another train that was still in the station) it is expected that the Eisenbahn-Bundesamt will require a modern train stop system to be installed during the renovation as a prerequisite for a renewed admission. Prolonging the old admission will unlikely to be available for more than three years making the ZBS train control system a requirement for any movement authority in the S-Bahn rail network presumably by 2018 and no later than 2020.
System
Although the system is based on ETCS Level 1 it is not compatible. Most notably the system has dropped the usage of Euroloop line signaling - instead additional infill balises a placed between the distant signal and the stop signal. A semaphore on the distant signal flags to use a lower speed in approaching the stop signal - in most situations in rapid transit a stop signal will be dropped before reaching the stop semaphore. To increase throughput on the main lines the infill balises can send an upgrade message to the cab signaling electronics. If the train was required to halt then the train driver is responsible to interpret the movement authority of the semaphore signal and to move the train slowly up to the next balise past the signal mast so that the cab control computer can see the release.Using a special design allows to reuse the old wayside signals - the transparent data balises are connected to the older distant and stop signals. Given the lower maximum speed of the rapid transit system the Eurobalises can be placed a shorter distance. The cab computer software is much simpler as the weight of the train can be inferred from an assumed maximum. The sum of advantages makes the system faster and cheaper than using a plain ECTS level 1 train protection system.
External links
- video presentation on ZBS, Tobias Grimmel, Technische Universität Berlin, 3. December 2009