Life Cycle Cost of Smart Wayside Object Controller

Abstract: In a regional railway signalling system, object controllers are the devices responsible for controlling Track Side Equipment and act as interfaces for TSE with the interlocking computer and the Traffic control system. However, associated cabling (signal and power cabling) and civil works pose a major capital investment and it is a source of significant Capital and Operational expenses, particularly in rural areas, where accessibility andconnectivity to power grid and to the interlocking are a problem. Furthermore, cables/signalling equipment are exposed to sabotage and theft in such areas. This can increase the total Life Cycle Cost even further. The Shift2Rail research programme, which was initiated by the European Union and railway stakeholders, tries to address this issue, and revamp the Object Controller concept through the project “TD2.10 Smart radio connectedwayside object controller”, where the aim is to develop a Smart Wayside Object Controller (SWOC). A SWOC is capable of wireless communication between central interlocking and TSE as well as decentralization of interlocking logic. These innovations can reduce the cabling required, increase the availability of diagnostic data, thus reducing maintenance and operational costs and can lead to power saving by utilizing local power sources. The most important impact of the SWOC is a significant reduction of CAPEX, OPEX and of total LCC for an installation utilizing SWOCs, instead of typical OCS.  This work focuses on estimating the LCC of a SWOC system and to compare it with a conventional OCS by developing an LCC model that covers both cases, as well as to use this model to examine when it is more profitable to implement a SWOC, instead of an OCS system. This is done by utilizing LCC analysis and combining a variety of methods in a parametric study. To that extend, a thorough analysis of a modern regional railway signalling system, as well as the basis for LCCA are being discussed. At the same time, both OC and SWOC systems are being described and factors affecting their cost discussed.  The methodology is comprised of the LCC modelling part as well as the collection of methods and techniques used to calculate the LCC of OC/SWOC systems and to estimate the costs of different sub-models and parameters of the process. For the modelling process, the station of Björbo was chosen, which operates under ERTMS-R system, but for the sake of the analysis it is assumed that the typical base system in place is an OCS and together with the existing track layout and equipment it is used as the basis of the analysis. Finally, the formed LCC model is being used in a parametric study to examine how the LCC is affected by using OC or SWOC as well as how LCC responds to changes in parameters such as number of OC/SWOC, traffic density and local power installation cost for the Björbo station.