Point Controller for Amsterdam Trams
The number of public transport users in the Amsterdam region, which includes Amstelveen and Uithoorn, has increased in recent years and is expected to continue to rise. In order to ensure good accessibility to the region in the future, the public transport network is being further expanded on behalf of the Amsterdam Transport Region (VRA). By Sigrid Riewe-Scholz
The new extension called Uithoornlijn is 4.4 km long and runs from Amstelveen to Uithoorn, replacing the current bus line. The first of three switch complexes on the new line is located at the entrance and exit to the depot and allows driving into the depot or onto the track via five switches. At the second complex, the Uithoorn Station stop, it is possible to turn around on the line or park a defective tram on a siding. At the end of the line, at Uithoorn Centrum stop, the stop is served by a cross-track change followed by reversal of direction.
In addition to the extension of the existing network, tram depot capacity is also being expanded. This includes the construction of a car-wash, quick repair facilities, extra siding and access to the line between Amstelveen and Uithoorn.
A speed of 50 km/h is to be used in the area of the depot entrance and exit, and safety requirements are high. Control and protection of the switch complex is ensured by a traffic signal system WK2701 which fulfils Safety Integrity Level 3 (SIL 3) per CENELEC EN 50129 for the protective functions. Important aspects are safe route management to rule out collisions between trams, additional flank-protection switches on account of the increased speed, continuous detection of vehicles in the entire safe segment, safe control of the point machines, reliable protection against re-setting as well as safe signalling of passability.
Appointed by the municipality of Amsterdam, HANNING & KAHL, as system supplier, built signalling installation WK2701, which, in addition to the required safety functions, also implements other requirements stipulated by operator GVB. These include vehicle-induced requests for routes with the VECOM system, the possibility of manual correction or replacement request by the tram driver on the line, partial dissolution of routes to increase throughput, and improved fault management to optimize avail-
ability.
Route management covers six routes including routes with side protection, route exclusions, partial dissolutions for early approval of other routes as well as different possibilities for route request, including VECOM, key switches and operating stage.
The risk analysis and the CENELEC EN 50129 development process called for comprehensive redesign in order to fulfil the safety functions. This required close co-operation between operator and manufacturer to ensure the safety of the equipment.
If errors or malfunctions occur, the signalling installation reacts correspondingly. Serious errors lead to a shutdown of the system whereas minor errors can be intercepted by the so-called “degraded mode” to restore normal operation. The controller also has continuous monitoring and automatic return to normal operation.
A ConnAct® module is used for maintenance purposes on the signalling installation. With this module, technicians can bundle and visualize process data of the control system. The equipment also has an interface to depot management (BMS) which optimises depot administration.
To sum up, signalling installation WK2701 is a modern and reliable state-of-the-art solution. Thanks to the successful installation and co-operation of all involved, passengers on the Uithoornlijn benefit from a safe and efficient tram connection in the Amsterdam region.