KATHREIN RFID reader for train identification at Swiss Federal Railways

The perfect condition of all rail vehicles not only serves passenger safety, it also prevents potential damage to the infrastructure, such as rails, overhead lines or train components. In order to be able to establish continuous condition monitoring, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) marked all of its own rail vehicles with RFID for automated and clear identification. This identification makes it possible to localize these vehicles. The technology was integrated in collaboration with Enkom, and RFID readers and software from KATHREIN Solutions were used.

Challenges for rail operators

Rail operators and train control systems face a variety of challenges that can affect their efficiency and safety. One of the biggest hurdles is capacity management and congestion on rail networks. As demand continues to grow, it is becoming increasingly difficult to manage train traffic smoothly. Without intelligent solutions, this can lead to delays and inefficient use of resources.

Another key issue is safety and accident prevention. Given the high traffic density on the tracks, the control systems must be able to prevent accidents and react to emergencies at all times. The implementation of IoT technologies offers promising approaches here: Real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance and automated control systems can significantly reduce these challenges and make the operation of rail systems more efficient, safer and future-proof. KATHREIN Solutions has provided a comprehensive RFID solution including the CrossTalk software for the Swiss Federal Railways to ensure this.

Recognize critical developments at an early stage

SBB Infrastructure is the operator of the train control units (ZKE). ZKE are stationary measuring devices along the track that enable a comprehensive inspection of passing trains for various safety-relevant characteristics.

The aim of the infrastructure manager is to detect defective vehicles at an early stage and prevent certain incidents by taking targeted measures. For example, the train driver is warned to reduce speed if a temperature of 130 degrees is measured on an axle, which indicates a fault.

The route is adjusted to reach the next planned intervention point, where the vehicle is removed from the train. To ensure that operations are not disrupted, the infrastructure and all vehicles running on it are permanently monitored. For safety and cost reasons, SBB wants to avoid unexpected problems with passenger or freight rail vehicles. Proactive maintenance is an important process for a smooth, reliable timetable.

For further information visit: https://www.kathrein-solutions.com/en/news/kathrein-rfid-reader-for-rolling-stock-identification-at-swiss-federal-railroads/