INTEGRATED APPLICATION OF INFORMATION TECHNIQUES ON THE RAILWAYS

The railway system as a whole is an integrated system. It consists of a systematically organised medley in which work is divided between men and technical equipment. As railway systems are complex, the application of computers can only be fully successful if the railway information problems are solved as parts of an integrated and complete cybernetic model. Commands applicable to transport are in the last analysis mass, space and time instructions (MST instructions). Their safe and reliable implementation has to be practiced with a cybernetic system with the aid of information techniques. In parallel with the movement of masses, the accounts have also to be moved, i.e. the commercial functions have to be taken care of. From this standpoint, the DB has undertaken extensive cybernetic studies and experiments. As an example of computer controlled handling of production and sales, i.e. of the movements of the respective mass and accounts, the author has developed an integrated transport control system, the functional capability of which was proved by representative trials in the greater Hanover area, by the setting up of the "Cybernetic Island". All the systems developed by the DB should be regarded as parts of a comprehensive cybernetic railway model describing an integrated transport system. Bearing in mind the gigantic computer hierarchy required for the solution of cybernetic tasks arising from production and sales in a railway system the idea suggests itself that all other fields of railway activities should also be integrated into the whole computer system. Of course adequate analytical methods have to be provided to ensure that all fields are apparent. For this purpose a functional block diagram is established. For the exchange of data between men and machines a suitable information technique is required which merges conventional telecommunications with modern data handling techniques. This will permit the creation of electronic computer systems within a hierarchical structure which, in association with up-dated data-banks, are suitable for both real-time and batch processing.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Presented at Fourth International Symposium on Railroad Cybernetics, AAR/UIC/IRCA, 21-26 April 1974, Washington, D.C.
• Corporate Authors:

  International Union of Railways

  14 rue Jean Rey
  75015 Paris,   France 
• Authors:
  • Schmitz, H W
• Publication Date: 1974-4

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: 5 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Computer models; Computers; Human machine systems; Information systems
• Identifier Terms: Deutsche Bahn; Deutsche Bundesbahn
• Old TRIS Terms: Man-machine interfaces
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00053780
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: International Union of Railways
• Report/Paper Numbers: Paper
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 17 1974 12:00AM