Welado s involved in a number of integration projects in which we support our customers in the process of installing ETCS on-board equipment for the ERTMS signalling system, and obtaining approval for its operation on the national rail network. In this article, we will explain a little about how we have helped Matisa and Zaugg with the approval of the equipment on a snow blower that the Swedish Transport Administration is to use on the Malmbanan line, which is in the process of being fitted with ERTMS.
Powerful snow blower for harsh conditions
The snow blower has been used successfully for a number of years, but now that the roll-out of the ERTMS signalling system has begun on the Malmbanan line, the on-board equipment needs to be adapted to operate with this system.
Powerful machines of this type are essential for keeping the line open during winter on the Malmbanan, which is exposed to harsh weather conditions and runs across bare mountain terrain where heavy snowfall and fierce snowdrifts can create drifts several metres high. The snow blower can handle 7,500 tonnes of snow per hour and is one of the most powerful in the world.
Technical data
Length: 16.5 metres
Weight: 70 tonnes
Capacity: 7,500 tonnes of snow per hour
Maximum clearing speed: 20 km/h
Maximum clearing dimensions: Height 365 cm, width 600 cm
Maximum transport speed: 70 km/h
Fuel: Diesel, 3,500-litre tank
Engines: 2 x 470 kW (630 hk)
Welado’s contribution to the process
The snow blower has been used successfully for a number of years, but now that the roll-out of the ERTMS signalling system has begun on the Malmbanan line, the on-board equipment needs to be adapted to operate with this system.
Matisa engaged Welado to provide support throughout the process of obtaining approval for the on-board system from the Swedish Transport Agency. Welado is well versed in the technical aspects of the ERTMS and ETCS systems, which in this case are supplied by Hitachi. Welado also has extensive experience of the approval process and has an established network of contacts with the relevant stakeholders.
In summary, Welado provides assistance with the following:
- Preparation of the safety case and other documentation for the assessor
- Support throughout the approval process, including participation in the assessment and addressing comments arising from the assessment
- Validation
- Verification of functionality
- Expertise in the approval process, the ETCS system and the applicable European CENELEC standards
It is important to note that Welado has not been involved in the specification of requirements. This is to avoid creating an unauthorised dependency.
Staffing
The project is led by Pascal Drexler at Matisa, whilst Frank Steiner is the project manager at Welado. Welado has contributed further expertise to help drive the project forward, such as a safety expert, a verifier and a technical specialist.
The project manager at Matisa comments
Pascal Drexler is the project manager at Matisa.
How did you decide to engage external support and Welado?
– The reason was that we needed a functional and proven process that we could build upon in order to get the vehicle approved efficiently. We were then able to build on Welado’s established process, which includes elements such as validation and verification, change management and formal validation, for example.
How has the collaboration worked out?
– It has been a very good collaboration and Welado has contributed a great deal of expertise. We have learnt a lot, both about the approval process and about verification, validation and safety. We will take this with us into the future.
Have there been any particular challenges?
– The vehicle can be driven in two directions but also from two different driver’s seats. It was, above all, the latter that presented a technical challenge to achieve, and it required a number of solutions developed in collaboration with the system supplier.
What is the current status of the project?
– The project is nearing completion. An assessment has been carried out, during which a number of minor issues were identified and are currently being addressed. The vehicle is scheduled to enter service in 2025.
Image: Copyright © ZAUGG AG EGGIWIL