Marc Geisler is a lead safety engineer from DB Systemtechnik, Germany. Marc has worked as a Safety Expert in all railway subsystems since 2002. Marc is currently acting as Head of the AsBo at DB Systemtechnik in Germany and as Technical Manager for Railway Approvals Ltd. UK.

Control of major risks in an automated urban railway network

The automation of the railway network requires a system-wide risk assessment to control the risks arising out of the digitalisation of operation.

For the suburban train services in Hamburg a GoA2+ train operation has been implemented. For this operation mode, ETCS has been installed in addition to the conventional signalling system. ETCS is required for ATO operation. The specification of ATO over ETCS has been used and is adopted to the specific requirements of the network in Hamburg. Next to the CCS the vehicles have been modified with technical devices for ATO. The operational rules for train operation of S-Bahn Hamburg have been amended accordingly. The main challenge of this project has been the assessment of changes in Control Command, Infrastructure, Rolling Stock and Operation in parallel. Finally after finishing the assessments for the structural and functional sub-systems a risk management process for Safe Integration ensured that all interfaces between the sub-systems are designed in a way that the level of safety is maintained.

The presentation gives an overview about the project “Digitale S-Bahn Hamburg”, the safety approach and how the safety assessment by the European Bodies is done.