R&D Rail Infrastructure

Take a look at our railway infrastructure development department. What is our job at R&D Rail Infrastructure in our branch in Prague, and in Pilsen and what you can also be a part of? 

The Czech development center particularly focuses on the development of digital components for the security of the SINET line, the Wayguard DLX rail crossing, and the CoreShield system, which ensures the cyber security of the infrastructure. One of the most important projects of our Czech developers is the digitization of the Norwegian railway network for Bane NOR.

Does it sound interesting to you? Have a closer look inside of our teams, and check out, what is into our day-to-day work. 

• Safety development: This team develops and tests Embedded Safety SW for distributed rail automation system elements. The developed software is written in C++ language. We use an established CI process using Gitlab CI for automated testing and design.
• Security development: We develop software in an agile manner following the SCRUM methodology. Our goal is to ensure that all devices that control trains are resilient to cyber attacks. The application part is written in Java, the applications for security and diagnostic functions are written in C++, and that runs over Debian GNU/Linux. We have a fully established CI process using Gitlab CI for automated tests and builds. While working with us you can also encounter technologies such as Java 11, Spring Boot, Python (for scripting and testing), REST API, OpenAPI, PostgreSQL, Hibernate, Robot Framework and cyber-security topics such as PKI certificates, TLS and signatures.
• Hardware: We develop custom electronics for our products from schematics to layout to type testing. We have state-of-the-art labs in-house, including an electromagnetics lab and a climate chamber.

We are proud to be part of a strong international company that delivers innovative technologies worldwide. Through our projects, we can look beyond the borders of our country. Not only virtually, but also physically.

Metro Oslo 
A project to completely rebuild the infrastructure of the entire Oslo metro network, totaling over 90 km, with a digital CBTC (Communication Based Train Control) system in GOA 2 (Grade of Automation) mode, enabling semi-autonomous train operation and later transition to fully automatic control. Czech R&D is involved in this project by supplying these products:

• Trackguard PCM - Point Control Module for controlling switch turnouts including integration of 3 types of switches from different manufacturers
• Trackguard DCM - Data Communication Module for communication with systems outside the basic track infrastructure
• CoreShield - product and network security system against cyber attacks

ERTMS Norway
A large and long-term project involving over 4,000 km of track, 350 railway stations and 400 level crossings. The whole project is based on the digital system Trackguard Sinet. Czech R&D is involved in this project by supplying these products:

• Trackguard PCM - Point Control Module for controlling switch turnouts including turnout integration
• Trackguard DCM - Data Communication Module for control of avalanche detectors, lifting bridges, tunnel gates
• Wayguard DLX - level crossing security system
• CoreShield - product and network security system against cyber attacks

Warnemünde
The first major project using digital interlocking and digital track infrastructure based on IP communication between components - the Trackguard Sinet system. Czech R&D supplied the Trackguard PCM - Point Control Module product, which electronically controls the turnout changeover motor based on instructions from the interlocking and provides diagnostic information about the changeover. Responsibility for the Trackguard PCM product lies entirely with our department. We therefore carry out further development and modification of the product, including maintenance and support of customer projects.