Shift to rail – the potential of automated train operations

More efficient last mile operation with SAMIRA an Wagon 4.0

Prof. Dr. Raphael Pfaff, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Manfred Enning

FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences

1

What are current logistics trends?

Is it possible to generate incentives for investments infreight rail rolling stock?How can we reduce personnel required for last mileoperation?

Background image: Pixabay license

1

What are current logistics trends?Is it possible to generate incentives for investments infreight rail rolling stock?

How can we reduce personnel required for last mileoperation?

Background image: Pixabay license

1

What are current logistics trends?Is it possible to generate incentives for investments infreight rail rolling stock?How can we reduce personnel required for last mileoperation?

Background image: Pixabay license

1

Trends and drivers in logistics

1998

2000

2002

2004

2006

2008

2010

2012

2014

2016

0

5

10

15

20

106

tkm

CoalMetals

ConstructionPetrochemicals

InternationalIntermodal

Other

Daten: ORR statistics table 13.7 2

Competitive position of rail freight

High value goods logisticsincreasingly granular and just intime

Road freight works to overcomedrawbacks:

Autonomous LorriesAlternative Fuels

2000

2005

2010

2015

0

5

10

106

tkm

Construction InternationalIntermodal Other 3

Competitive position of rail freight

High value goods logisticsincreasingly granular and just intime

Road freight works to overcomedrawbacks:

Autonomous LorriesAlternative Fuels

Rail freight should use itsadvantages:

Smart WagonsAutomationIntegration in Industry 4.0

3

Wagon 4.0

Five columns of wagon 4.0

1 Power supply: Sufficient for sensors,actuators and communication

2 Sensors: Capturing state of wagonand cargo

3 Actuators: Automation of all wagonfunctions

4 Algorithms: Smart Edge for higherperformance

5 Operating System: Extendable OpenSource System WagonOS

P I

A

MM

M UIC R

P I

M

M

M

02.01/01 02.01/0202.02/01 02.02/02

04.01/01 04.02/01

04.03/01

04.04/0104.05/01

04.06/01 04.07/01

04.08/0104.08/02

14.01/01

Wagon 4.0 brake schematics4

Economic and operational advantages

Ad hoc-Train formationSingle wagon loadeconomically feasibleReduces infrastructure usage

True realtime monitoring anddata

within train consistto shippers and operators

Reducing manual operations

Requiring less personnel

0 20 40

Train preparation

Fill Brake Pipe

Condition Assessment

Tightness

Apply brakes

Check brake application

Release brakes

Check release

39.5

40

33.2

1

1

33.2

2

33.2

1

10

1

1

1

1

2

1

Time / min

Wagon < 4.0 Wagon 4.0

5

Selected use cases

Industry4.0 Interaction: Harbour

Requirements:1 Loosen up wagon group2 Quick departure of train3 Automation of trunnions4 Rear view camera

W40 solutions:1 Train christening, shunting

drive2 Automatic brake assessment3 IIoT-connection, power supply4 High bandwidth train network

Trains enters in reverse operation

Shunter locomotive leaves consist

Wagon groups break up train consist

Optional: motion to loading position

Train is re-formed after loading

Train christening, brake assessment and departure

6

Letter box service for rail freight

Challenges in siding operation:Siding operation as shuntingShunter must be maintained

Difficult to serve within timetable

Thanks to ad hoc-Trainpreparation and shunting drive,siding can be served with 10minutes

Further automation feasible withautonomous shunting

Werksgelände mit Werksbahn(Umzäunt)

Gleisanschluss

Anschlussgleis im öffentlichen Verkehrsraum, Bahnübergänge

beladene Wagen, Vorbereitung

Leerwagen

Briefkasten "Posteingang"

Briefkasten "Postausgang"

Streckengleise

Produktions- / Lagerbereich Seitenbeladung

Logistikhalle Kopframpenbeladung

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8

9

W 1

W 8

W 3 W 2

W 6 W 5 W 4

7

Shunting Assistant and Monitoring Interface forAutonomous Rail Applications - SAMIRA

Problem: pushed wagon group

Two operators required

Working environment not attractiveand safe

Wik

imed

ia/S

.Ter

floth

8

Solution: Smart rear view camera for freight trains

Portable unit for use on lastwagon

Environment perception:LIDARRadarStereo camera

GNSS with RTK for trackselective localisation

WLAN-Mesh to driver, ready for5G

Battery powered

Direction

9

SAMIRA additional features

Objekt detectionTrack positionVehiclesPersonsDistances

Braking distance prediction

Switch position

Train end position on map

Horn700 m

Zug

10

Perspective: autonomous shunting

Collection of labelled data (e.g.Driver reaction):

Traction, BrakeEmergency brake

Different from mainlineautomation:

On sight operationDifferent tasks, e.g. switchposition

Que

lle:s

tatis

ta.c

om(C

C-B

Y-S

A)

11

Conclusion and Perspective

Key takeaways:Wagon 4.0 provides interesting use cases for shippersFocus on last mile due to immediate returnsSAMIRA makes shunting with pushed wagon groups easierSAMIRA paves the way to autonomous shunting

Perspective:Demonstrators under constructionField test planned - probably harbour applicationWe look forward to you use cases!

SAMIRA and Wagon4.0 are supported by:

12

Let’s put awesome back into railways!

Raphael Pfaff · pfaff@fh-aachen.de · +49-151-70052454 · r10f.com · wagon40.comAttribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) unless otherwise noted, Attribute to Raphael Pfaff

Background image: Pixabay license13