“With the Tram Assist Suite, we are taking the next logical step. The individual assistants significantly increase operational safety and reduce the risk of accidents. The driver is supported in numerous critical situations, whether at the stop or on confusing roads with left-turning traffic, and at the same time relieved. Accident damage and the resulting frequent breakdowns or detour can be significantly reduced,” explains Heiko Mangold, Head of Rail Technology at Bosch Engineering GmbH. Since 2017, the existing collision warning system from Bosch Engineering has been successfully supporting streetcar drivers worldwide in their demanding work.
Bosch Tram Assist Suite
With the new Tram Assist Suite, Bosch Engineering is further expanding its range of assistance systems for streetcars. The assistance package is designed as a modular kit from which operators of light rail vehicles and streetcars as well as vehicle manufacturers can put together a range of functions tailored to their individual needs.
The suite includes Tram Forward Assist, which warns of impending head-on collisions, for example, and recognizes signals and signs. This is also available in the additional expansion stages “Plus” and “Extended Range”. Streetcar Near Range Assist also monitors the close range. At stops, for example, it warns of children crossing the road directly in front of the streetcar or of people standing in the coupling area between two streetcar cars (so-called coupling surfers). It also prevents doors from opening on the wrong side of the platform and supports railroad staff by measuring the distance when coupling the train sections in the depot.
Tram Flank Assist is designed to prevent collisions caused by vehicles entering the depot. Cross traffic, lane changes and vehicles turning left are the main causes of accidents for streetcars in mixed traffic. “Our Tram Flank Assist warns streetcar drivers of impending danger at an early stage so that they can adapt their driving style and often avert an accident,” explains Mangold. In addition to Tram Forward Assist, it increases the detection range. Another source of accidents is fatigue and distraction among streetcar drivers. This is where Tram Focus Assist comes into play. It analyzes the driver’s line of vision, facial expressions and posture and detects, for example, signs of tiredness or distraction from the traffic situation and warns the driver accordingly.
The Tram Assist Suite is based on the latest generation of state-of-the-art Bosch sensor technology. A sensor cluster consisting of camera, radar, lidar and ultrasonic technology makes it possible to monitor the entire exterior of the streetcar as well as the driver’s cab inside. The data is processed by high-performance control units optimized for rail vehicles. Modern connectivity solutions allow the system software to be updated via a wireless interface “Over The Air” (OTA) and integrated into predictive maintenance concepts.
Fast and safe integration into new or existing fleets
As an OEM-independent solution, the Bosch Tram Assist Suite can be integrated into a new streetcar by the streetcar manufacturer or third-party providers as ready-to-install original equipment and can also be retrofitted into existing fleets of any age. “Particularly in mixed fleets, a standardized technology platform in all streetcars offers considerable advantages for operators. On the one hand, the common parts reduce spare parts logistics and maintenance costs, and on the other hand, the training and familiarization effort is reduced, as the drivers only have to learn how to operate one manufacturer’s system and will find the same operating logic when switching to another lane,” explains Mangold. On request, Bosch Engineering can also take on the role of system integrator for the retrofit. The software and hardware components of the Bosch Tram Assist Suite comply with all international standards for light rail vehicles and streetcars. They have been specially developed for the tough operating conditions in rail operations and are designed for high robustness, reliability and durability.
As an innovative step following the introduction of the Tram Suite, Bosch Engineering is already working on concepts for the automated streetcar traffic of the future. For example, the automation of depot traffic. At the end of a journey, the streetcar driver simply parks the streetcar in the depot, the automation function takes over control of the streetcar and maneuvers it to the parking space without a driver.
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Further links
👉 www.bosch.de
👉 www.bosch-engineering.com/de/branchen/schiene/stadt-und-strassenbahnen/
Graphic: Bosch
