Software for rail vehicles
The experienced team of software engineers at Enotrac specialises in the customised development of software solutions for rail vehicles. Our group of experienced engineers are passionate about software development in the rail transport sector. With a wide range of skills, our experts cover various key areas.
Our approach goes beyond technical implementation. Close and open dialogue, teamwork and the ability to empathise with our customers’ needs are of great importance to us. We value our Swiss reliability and at the same time benefit from an international team from ten different nations. This diversity enriches our corporate culture and enables us to always find the best solutions for every challenge. Satisfied customers are proof of this.
Our team of software engineers
The Enotrac team consists of six experienced software engineers who are passionate about developing software solutions for rail vehicles. Our highly qualified experts bring extensive expertise in rail software development and have a wide range of skills to develop solutions for various rail applications. Their expertise spans a wide range of important areas, from automatic train control systems to remote monitoring technology. Our team of software engineers understand the unique requirements and challenges of the rail industry. They want to help improve rail mobility worldwide by developing innovative solutions and realising pioneering projects. Their goal is to continuously raise standards in rail transport technology.
Development of software for rail vehicles according to EN 50657
Our main task at Enotrac is to develop software solutions for rail vehicles in accordance with EN 50657, a standard that has replaced the previous EN 50128:2001 and sets out clear requirements for the development of software for electronic systems in rail vehicles. The focus is on the software and its interaction with the respective system. The software that is part of the signalling equipment for railway control and monitoring is not covered by this standard.
Our work focuses primarily on the development of software for vehicle control systems, known as Train Control and Management System (TCMS). This system is the central monitoring system for all sub-systems of a train, including doors, lighting, air conditioning, brakes, communication, and more. It works through multiple human-machine interfaces (HMI) to communicate the status of train equipment to human operators. The TCMS software is complex and must be carefully planned, simulated and tested to ensure that the train is operated safely and reliably and that passenger safety is guaranteed.
Enotrac also deals with door control systems and develops customised special control systems that meet the individual requirements of customers. Our aim is to develop software solutions that ensure the smooth operation of railway vehicles by being efficient, reliable and safe.
Compliance with EN 50657 ensures that our software solutions meet the high requirements and standards of the rail transport sector. The standard defines how we develop the software and emphasises that it is tested and verified to ensure that it works well.
The software we develop plays a key role in the safety and efficiency of rail transport. We pride ourselves on advancing rail transport technology by developing customised software solutions that meet the highest quality and safety standards while meeting individual customer requirements. Our expertise in EN 50657-compliant software development ensures reliable and safe operation of rail vehicles, contributing to a more efficient and sustainable rail transport infrastructure.
Expertise for various hardware platforms
Our software engineers have extensive knowledge of various hardware platforms, particularly with regard to products from Selectron and Siemens, which are crucial for safe and efficient vehicle control and monitoring. This enables us to develop customised software solutions that are perfectly matched to the individual requirements and existing hardware in rail vehicles. Our in-depth expertise in these hardware platforms enables us to respond to the specific circumstances of each rail vehicle, be it in terms of vehicle control, door systems or special applications. By adapting our software to the existing hardware, we can guarantee smooth functionality and optimise the performance of the system. Our ability to develop software solutions for rail vehicles, based on our extensive expertise in different hardware platforms, enables us to offer innovative solutions that meet the modern requirements of rail transport. Our aim is to make rail vehicles safer, more reliable and more efficient, while meeting the specific requirements of our customers. Our expertise in the integration of software and hardware is key to realising this goal and promoting continuous development in the rail transport sector.
Lighthouse project: software development for the HGe 4/4 II
An outstanding project that illustrates Enotrac’s expertise and commitment to software development for rail vehicles is the development of the software for the vehicle control system of the HGe 4/4 II locomotives of the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn.
The Matterhorn Gotthard Railway modernised the HGe 4/4 II locomotives from the 1990s. Following the modernisation, the drive and electrics of the rail vehicles meet the standards of modern locomotives. The challenge was to successfully implement the entire electrical and software engineering, including commissioning and approval.
This modernisation project has extended the use of the locomotives on the Glacier Express, Furka car transport, freight transport and infrastructure work for the next 25 years. The modernisation includes 9 narrow-gauge HGe 4/4 II rack-and-pinion and adhesion locomotives and 3 Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn control cars. As part of the modernisation, the vehicles were fitted with a completely new drive train with modern IGBT converters and asynchronous traction motors, modern control technology with central diagnostics, a high-performance driver’s cab air conditioning system and a new fire alarm system. SBB was commissioned as general contractor to carry out the modernisation. Various engineering firms were commissioned with the engineering, and Enotrac was commissioned to carry out the electrical and software engineering, including commissioning and authorisation.
At the start of the project, Enotrac’s technical experts were faced with the challenging task of developing an innovative control technology concept and a detailed electrical vehicle schematic. These initial developments formed the basis for the comprehensive planning of the installation processes, in which both the cable routing and all electrical components were taken into account. During this phase, detailed production documents were created to ensure the precise assembly and wiring of the electrical components in accordance with the conceptual standard.
Following the planning and preparation phase, the development of the state-of-the-art control technology software was tackled. Particular attention was paid to the comprehensive specification of the software, followed by precise programming and intensive testing using the latest diagnostic tools. This development process ensured that the I&C software functioned reliably and in accordance with the highest standards.
The final steps of the project focused on the commissioning and type testing of the modernised locomotive. At this crucial stage of the project, Enotrac provided expert support for the operational testing. In addition to this technical validation, the team also took responsibility for approval management and checked that all the necessary authorisations and standards were complied with.
Finally, measures were introduced to train the train drivers and maintenance personnel. This involved familiarising them with the modernised version of the locomotive so that they are able to operate it efficiently and safely.
In this project, Enotrac was able to demonstrate expertise across all phases of a modernisation project. The entire electrical and software engineering of a modern locomotive, including commissioning and approval, was successfully realised from a single source.
The importance of software tests in accordance with EN 50657
The European standard EN 50657, which was developed as a successor to DIN EN 50128:2001, specifies the requirements and the process for the development of software for programmable electronic systems in railway vehicles. This standard applies to both safety-related and non-safety-related software, with the exception of software that is integrated into the signalling equipment for railway control and monitoring.
EN 50657 emphasises the importance of software testing and test coverage to ensure that the software functions according to the given specifications. This includes the monitoring of test coverage and test completeness. A sufficiently high coverage of the implemented code is required for all tests, checks and analyses.
The standard stipulates that static analyses as well as dynamic analyses and tests must be carried out for software of safety levels SIL 1 to SIL 4. The collection of metrics is also recommended.
Enotrac software engineers take great care to fulfil this standard to ensure that the software they develop meets the highest quality and safety standards. Their expertise and experience form the basis for customised software solutions for rail vehicles.
The role of software in rail transport
In the context of rail transport, the importance of software cannot be overemphasised. In today’s world, where mobility and sustainability have become key concerns, rail transport systems are essential to fulfil the requirements for efficient and sustainable transport. Meeting these needs requires careful integration and utilisation of software solutions to ensure the smooth, safe and efficient operation of rail vehicles.
The requirements for software in rail transport are diverse and demanding. This special type of software must not only meet the highest safety standards, but also offer first-class performance and reliability. It must be able to precisely control rail vehicles, optimise maintenance work to minimise downtime and ensure that operations always run smoothly.
Enotrac has set itself the task of meeting these complex requirements. With our years of experience and expertise in EN 50657-compliant software development, we ensure that the software we develop meets the strictest quality and safety standards. Our customised software solutions are designed to meet the individual needs of our customers while driving efficiency and sustainability in rail transport.
