Remote power supply for railway crossings
Remote power supply for railway crossings
Project overview:
Our technical consultants were asked by a national infrastructure client to supply design and specifications for off-grid power solutions for remote railway crossings. These crossings are often situated where no power is available for automated train warning systems.
Our solution:
We designed a tool that is being used to size RPS systems for warning signalling where a path crosses a railway line. Using solar irradiation and wind speed information from databases as an input, the system selects power supply elements from a predefined range of technology options, including solar modules, micro wind turbines, charge controllers, batteries, and fuel cells. Providing a reliable, inexpensive means of improving safety, this set-up has significant potential. If replicated across the country, as we hope, such installations will help to reduce incidents at these crossings.
Benefits delivered
- Enabling the client to install bespoke and scalable solutions at every off-grid railway crossing.
- Accurate analysis gives confidence that the system specified will deliver the crossing power requirements 24/7.
- Systems are created from a range of predefined and approved elements.
- Software users can be quickly trained to assess crossing site characteristics relevant to on-site generation and design off-grid power systems without specialist power supply knowledge.
“Dulas collaborated with Network Rail to implement a robust, off-grid power solution for a VaMoS crossing on a remote section of track lacking grid infrastructure. VaMoS, certified to SIL4, is a fully automatic Miniature Stop Lights (MSL) system without barriers, designed for low-traffic level crossings. Specifically engineered to enhance safety at User Worked Crossings, Bridleways, and Footpaths, VaMoS indicates when it is safe to cross the infrastructure. It is essential to have a reliable solution that operates year-round, in all weather conditions. Dulas also developed a sizing tool and provided training, enabling our engineers to specify and size the appropriate off-grid solution based on location and power requirements.”
Network Rail
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