Systra S.A. and Zöllner Signal GmbH have collaborated to develop an automated warning system aimed at enhancing safety on French rail tracks. This system, which uses light and sound signals to alert workers of oncoming trains, represents a significant step forward in ensuring safety for personnel working on railroad construction sites. A feasibility study for this system was carried out by Systra in partnership with Maintenance SEA (MESEA) on the Southern Europe-Atlantic high-speed line, demonstrating its effectiveness.
Traditionally, the safety of railway construction sites has relied heavily on manual announcements, which require significant manpower and are often costly, especially during night-time operations. The newly implemented system addresses these challenges by reducing the reliance on human announcements.
The new system does not require alterations to existing station and signaling infrastructures, nor does it need the installation of complex cabling or onsite detection equipment. This feature allows for easy implementation on any railway line that is equipped with the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) Level 2, applicable both in France and internationally.
The system has been designed to adapt to different operational scenarios by providing different announcement modes according to the specific requirements of track maintenance activities. This adaptability ensures that maintenance and construction work can continue without interruption, even while safety measures are being improved.
