Eurolocking – a modular standardised digital interlocking
New EUROLOCKING functions receive type approval in Switzerland
PLC Interlocking System Reduces Life Cycle Costs
Since its commissioning, the PLC interlocking has been working reliably and without failures. The next project has already started: In 2014, Movares installed a second PLC interlocking with COTS components from HIMA for ProRail at the Beverwijk railway station. This interlocking has been in operation since April 2015.
Eurolocking is a SIL4 approved interlocking based on commercial of the shelf (COTS) parts
Interlocking systems prevent collisions between trains, derailments, and collisions between trains and vehicles at level crossings and is critical to keep railways safe. Eurolocking is a SIL4 approved interlocking based on commercial of the shelf parts (COTS).
Current interlocking systems consist of specially designed safety computers or complex systems consisting entirely of what are called B relays. B relays are extremely safe, but they are also rather dated and they do have technical limitations. Safety computers are comparatively expensive, as they can only be used for a narrow range of applications.
-
- The Eurolocking hardware is supplier-independent and is based on Safety Controllers widely used in process industries. This controller forms an essential element in the safe, continuous control of processes in refineries and chemicals factories.
- Eurolocking’s open architecture ensures flexibility. Links to adjacent systems such as control rooms, other interlockings and field units can readily be implemented as software modules. The open software makes it easy to incorporate modifications, such as changes to the infrastructure.
50 years of safe uninterrupted rail operation
The first Interlocking system came into service in July 2012, at Santpoort Noord Yard. This was the first COTS based SIL4 PLC Interlocking on a main line in the Netherlands and the first in the world. In December 2012,
ProRail approved PLC Interlocking for use throughout the Netherlands, paving the way for worldwide utilization of the system. In September 2021 there are over 12 Eurolocking system in service on the main line of the ProRail infrastructure network.