Railway Operations
IECC®
The Integrated Electronic Control Centre is a computer-based railway signalling control system with the capacity to implement advanced automatic routesetting. Providing comprehensive facilities for the control and monitoring of a substantial area of railway, the IECC® offers the most complete railway signalling control solution currently available.
IECC® systems are in use in all of Network Rail's major signalling centres where in excess of 140 operational years of reliable service have been achieved overall. The IECC® has proved highly effective in implementing UK railway practice, for which intensive platform usage and geographic constraints are more challenging than in most other railway administrations. Network Rail has recognised the IECC®'s proven capability and competitive specification by continuing to maintain and install IECC® systems.
Benefits
- A proven, effective signalling control system with high operational reliability and availability
- Fully approved to Network Rail's safety standards
- Automatic routesetting for optimal regulation even during disrupted operations
- Flexible timetable management to meet changes in business demands
- Reduced costs due to large areas of signaller control
System features
The system's general features ensure practically any operational requirements can be met:
- Signallers' workstations incorporating the latest display technology
- Distributed hardware architecture for ease of modification and configuration
- Generic software configured for individual sites via area-specific data
- Extensive simulation facilities for comprehensive testing, operator training and fault investigation
- System Monitor (ISM) providing detailed information on the operational status of the IECC®
- CDROM-based loading facility for fast and reliable on-site re-configuration without possession
Automatic Routesetting (ARS)
Timetabled train movements are handled automatically by the IECC®'s unique Automatic Routesetting facility. ARS optimally routes trains using timetable data, current train positions and an internal representation of the rail network. It can handle severely disrupted service patterns and assist the signaller in the event of train or infrastructure failures.
SPAD Monitor
The IECC® incorporates the world's first monitoring system for detecting signals passed at danger and sounding an alarm. The SPAD display unit indicates the relevant signal number and train description to the signaller, enabling appropriate action to be taken without delay.
System specification
- Latest Motorola VME processor boards in all IECC® subsystems
- Standard, rack-mounted VMEbus hardware with minimal special hardware components
- PC-based man-machine interface for minimum cost and maximum choice of display technology
- Fully duplicated subsystems and networks for maximum availability
- Interfaces to Route Relay (RRI) and Solid State Interlockings (SSI®)
Continuing development
- Interfaces to additional computer-based interlockings (CBIs)
- Further integration with supervisory operations management and control systems (e.g. CCF)
- Line-of-route control via inter-ARS operation
- Incorporation of IECC® into an ERTMS-controlled environment
Forthcoming upgrades and new developments will ensure that the IECC® remains the standard by which all other signalling control systems are measured.