The Roma Termini Computerised Central Apparatus (CCA)

The Roma Termini Computerised Central Apparatus (CCA)

The Computerised Central Apparatus explained The Computerised Central Apparatus (CCA) is the new system for controlling and managing all station plant (signals, points, level crossings) that allows trains to move in and out of stations in accordance with maximum safety requirements. It is one of the most advanced technological systems available today in the rail signalling sector. Thanks to this system, all station plant that regulates the movement of rail traffic is subject to the control of logically programmed computer. The commands permitting train movements are made by railway personnel using a command interface (Operator Desk) that is no longer electromechanical but consists of display screens and keyboards, these too computer controlled, with the appropriate software loaded containing the logical functions of the plant components. All the electronic parts are linked together through local area networks (LANs). Besides permitting rail traffic to move in safety, the CCA can also optimise train movements in the event of disruptions (delays, timetable changes, cancellations, etc.), in combination with the Supervisory System that is generally present in large stations. The introduction of the CCA guarantees substantial improvement of services to customers in terms of effectiveness, regularity and above all safety. In particular it makes possible: improved punctuality of services; increased potential for plant to sustain more traffic; reduction of time when plant is out of service; greater operational simplicity; optimised maintenance schedules; management of abnormalities and emergences ensuring the highest level of safety. At present the system is operational in some large station areas such as Roma Termini, Roma Ostiense, Mantua and Aversa, and in about 40 medium to small stations. In a slightly different version, so as to take account of the particular features of the system, it was activated at 18 places on the High Speed/High Capacity Rome-Naples line in December 2005.

CCA plant in Italy Brennero Rogoredo Milano Fiorenza Torino Lingotto Ronco Scrivia Bivio Bersaglio Genova San Quirico Genova Borzoli Quarto Genova Nervi Pozzuolo Martesana Prato Tires Egna Bronzolo Mezzocorona Roncafort Trento Sacile Codroipo Basiliano Mattarello Conegliano Pramaggiore Oderzo Ala Motta di Livenza Rovereto Ponte di Piave San Biagio di Callalta Istrana Sommacampagna Trieste San Pietro Treviglio Mestre Centrale in Gu Centrale Dolo Dossobuono Bivio Padova Santa Lucia Mantova Centrale Pioltello Cassano d Adda Melzo Treviglio Ovest Voghera Bivio Fegino Quadrivio Torbella Mignanego Pontedecimo Genova Rivarolo Recco Chiavari S. Margherita Ligure Deiva Marina Framura Levanto Monterosso Corniglia Pisa Centrale Reggio Emilia Lavino Bivio S. Viola Bologna Centrale Casalecchio Garibaldi Faenza Firenze Bressanone Idp Osmannoro Tarvisio Ancona Existing plant Plant under construction Civitavecchia Roma Termini Roma Ostiense Roma Trastevere Pescara Francavilla Ortona San Vito Lanciano Fossacesia Pozzuoli Napoli Gianturco Napoli Piazza Garibaldi Napoli Smistamento Napoli San Giovanni Barra Bivio Marittima Campomarino Chieuti Ripalta Lesina San Severo Apricena Gricignano Cancello Aversa Bivio Cassino Giugliano Napoli Mergellina Napoli Smistamento Barletta Giovinazzo Bari Santo Spirito Fasano Ostuni San Vito dei Normanni Lecce Palermo P.C. Tindari Patti Pace del Mela Messina Scalo P.C. Peloritano

The Roma Termini CCA The Computerised Central Apparatus of Roma Termini, which replaces the old Electromagnetic Central Apparatus (ELMCA) is the largest in Europe and because of its complexity is a system unique of its kind. CCA/ELMCA comparison CCA ELMCA Percentage Potential (train movements & shunting/day) 1,500 1,100 40% Speed (km/h) 60 30 100% Route creation time (sec.) 6 40 Simultaneous train movements 35 12 300% Diagnosis predictive Abnormality management guided manual Train placement automatic manual Daily scheduling automatic manual The architecture of the apparatus provides for automatic functions that can supervise traffic circulation over the whole Rome Junction network (about 30 stations on 200 km of double-track lines, such as: command and control of train movements in stations (routing, shunting) from and to the lines leading in and out; individual command and control of the plant in the station areas; high degree of reliability and safety; high level of diagnosis.

The system, using the technology of computer programme logic, depends on advanced logical functions software and has a client-server structure linking up to the various communication networks that permit interconnection and integration with the Supervisory Systems. The CCA consists of: 1 Central Command Post from which commands go out to manage the apparatus; 60 Outlying Posts, located in six outlying installations distributed in station areas, whereby the apparatus can govern shunting manoeuvres, controls and diagnostics; more than 600 items of station area plant (points, signals, line circuits indicating train positions, etc.) with all their connections. The system structure CENTRAL COMMAND POST Safety Nucleus Operator Desk ART Alarms, Recording, Telecommand Power Functional keyboard Client ART 1/2 Client DPS C Duplicate server ART 1/2 Server ART 3 Network LAN-S Network LAN-D Client PD CCP DMS-SP DPS-C OUTLYING POSTS Area Control (AC) Plant Controllers Conditioning Modules (CM) Power STATION PLANT

Central Command Post (CCP) The CCP is divided into four logical-functional sections: 1. Safety Nucleus (SN) whose principle functions are: the automatic or manual management of routings and track selection; the command and control of the state or position of all station plant (via the Outlying Posts); gathering and processing diagnostic information to pick up logical discrepancies. 2. ART (Alarms, Recording, Telecommand) which contains the registration of events and interfaces both with the Safety Nucleus and the Operator Desk. It also interfaces with the Data Processing System - Circulation ( DPS-C ) and the Diagnostic and Maintenance System Signals Plant ( DMS-SP ). It consists of: duplicate server ART 1/2 to manage the 3 operator desks and the luminous back-projection panel, by means of the LAN-S (Signals) Network, and to record alarms and manage communications with the Data Processing System Circulation (DPS-C); server ART 3 to manage maintenance of items of equipment in the station area and reconfigure the Safety Nucleus. It is linked through the LAN-D (Diagnosis) network to the client Plant Diagnosis (PD) stations of the Diagnostic and Maintenance System (DMS-SP) located at the Central Command Post and in the Outlying Installations. 3. Operator Desk which is the interface between the Central Apparatus and the Traffic Movement Director. It consists of: a functions keyboard (FK) connected to the Safety Nucleus section by a designated line of communication; a personal computer client of the ART 1/2 server which drives 1 monitor with keyboard and mouse for the functions of the Terminal Operator (TO) and 2 high definition monitors for the Video Display Screen (VDS); a client of the Data Processing System Circulation to manage Module M53 which sets out the time schedules for trains stopping in stations. 4. Power feed to the Central Command Post modules.

Layout of the display panels in the Central Command Post Outlying Post (OP) Diagnosis and maintenance terminals Linked to the Central Command Post, the Outlying Posts pilot and oversee the plant throughout the station areas. Their principal functions are: command and control of station plant; station plant diagnosis; station cable control; power feed diagnosis; exchange of messages regarding activity, command, state and information with the Central Command Post. The Outlying Command Posts consist of four logical and functional sections: 1. Area Control (AC) one per Central Command Post which manages data exchange between the Central Command Post and Plant Controllers, guaranteeing speedy, reliable and safe communication. 2. Plant Controllers (up to 42 for each Central Command Post) that activate the operations of piloting/command and control of the state of each item of plant in a station area. 3. Conditioning Modules have an electrical function (adjusting the level of signals from and into the station area, field galvanic barrier, measurement of station cable leakage to earth) and a mechanical function (mechanical header, adjustment and protection of cables coming into the station area). 4. Energy supply converting and distributing electric power to feed the sections electronic modules.

RFI - RETE FERROVIARIA ITALIANA MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT Piazza della Croce Rossa, 1 00161 Rome Grafica Giorgetti Telephone 06.44104402 Fax 06.44103726 www.rfi.it dircomu@rfi.it 4/2006-1,000