Rolling Stock

Q: What capabilities must modern vehicles have for the digital railway?

They must not only be able to utilise the appropriate interfaces (ETCS, ATO) and communication solutions (FRMCS), but also possess capabilities such as precise self-localisation or autonomous environmental detection (ATO GoA 4).

Q: What services does quattron offer in the field of rolling stock?

We offer feasibility studies for retrofitting, planning of fleet retrofits, definition of the optimal on-board solution (ETCS/ATO) and design of GoA 2 to GoA 4 solutions.

Q: What is the advantage of quattron’s holistic approach?

We can offer cross-disciplinary system expertise – from signalling technology to rolling stock equipment and retrofit projects – all from a single source, resulting in perfectly coordinated solutions.

quattron-engineering-bahnhof-mit-zug---edit-upscale (1)

Rolling stock – the digitalization of railway systems demands vehicles equipped with advanced on-board intelligence.

ETCS (European Train Control System) has already become the European standard, and the gradual shift towards autonomous trains and more efficient command and control systems is inevitable. As a result, more functions are being transferred from trackside systems to the rolling stock itself. 

ETCS demands safe positioning and a limited integration with the vehicle. In contrast, ATO (Automatic Train Operation) requires precise location data and the ability to accurately trigger traction and braking commands. Additionally, an intelligent Train Management System (TMS) relies on the on-board system to collect all relevant vehicle status information in real-time and to apply updated driving profiles instantly. With ATO at Grade of Automation 4 (GoA 4), the on-board unit and sensors must autonomously analyze the environment and detect potential hazards immediately. Thus, the digital capabilities of rolling stock are becoming the key enablers for the future of railway technology. 

Modern rolling stock must be able to interface with wayside ETCS equipment using appropriate communication solutions, such as GSM-R or GPRS. Ideally, they should also be prepared for future developments in the rail system. However, in some cases, basic ETCS compatibility may suffice. That’s why quattrons rolling stock experts prepare and support projects with both medium- and long-term goals in mind, while also considering the specific needs of each fleet, particularly for retrofit projects. 

quattron offers system expertise across all areas, from signaling to rolling stock and vehicle retrofitting, ensuring perfectly coordinated solutions and smart project management.

The advantages of rolling stock service at a glance:

Integration of fleet upgrade challenges in feasibility studies of network or node ETCS/ATO upgrades
Definition of the optimum technical on-board solution versus ETCS/ATO route compatibility and public funding laws.
Optimization of the integration level with the rolling stock fleet with regard to vehicle operation and maintenance
Definition of rolling stock parameters for ETCS and ATO (e.g. braking curves)
System thinking and rolling stock experience for the design of GoA 2 to GoA 4 solutions, with short-term return on investment
Optimisation of the project process through cross-divisional ETCS and ATO expertise, e.g. in the optimisation of ESC tests

FAQs

Why is on-board intelligence becoming increasingly important in rail vehicles?

What capabilities must modern vehicles have for the digital railway?

What services does quattron offer in the field of rolling stock?

What is the advantage of quattron’s holistic approach?

As digitalisation progresses (ETCS, ATO), more and more functions are being shifted from the track to the vehicle. The vehicle’s digital capabilities are becoming a key enabler.