Safety and automation technology supplier designs generic level crossing solution for off-the-grid use 

As a supplier of safety and automation technology, Pilz offers customer-oriented solutions for various industries. For example, within the rail sector Pilz supplies (safety) solutions such as points controllers, level crossings, signal controllers and other control technology. "We do this for the entire rail sector, from light rail to industrial track at sidings or port sites as well as for museum lines," says Maarten van Dis. As lead engineer rail and project leader at Pilz, he was closely involved in the realization of the rail crossing for the Veluwsche Steam Train Company (VSM).

Generic railroad solution

To enable safe rail traffic, Pilz developed a generic level crossing solution for use off the main track. "With our safety technology, we ensure that level crossing barriers close safely and on time and the signaling technology functions flawlessly. This makes level crossings safer and more reliable for both rail operators and motorists," says Maarten. Control is achieved through the PSS 4000-R automation system. "After all, safety on the tracks is vitally important."

Safe level crossings for Veluwsche Steam Train Company.

A good example where a Pilz-designed level crossing outside the main track was used is at the crossing on the Koningslijn of the Veluwse Stoomtrein Maatschappij (VSM). "The VSM is run by a large number of enthusiastic and skilled volunteers, who want to be able to ride the steam train safely now and in the future," says Maarten. Jelger de Haas is a volunteer at VSM and also, in daily life, a traffic engineer. He has stepped up to work for safety at the steam train level crossings. He notes that the roads are getting busier and the steam whistle is less audible in today's soundproof cars and therefore does not fulfill its warning function well. Moreover, all public unsecured level crossings are disappearing nationwide. Even though the historic steam train does not go faster than 40 km/h, a safe solution had to be found. In addition, it was important that it also be affordable for the VSM and they could maintain it themselves. "They ended up with Pilz because VSM did not have to buy a standard product from us and we thought along with them and moved flexibly based on the wishes that were there," says Maarten.

Modern security, historic rail experience

Besides safety and cost, the historic railroad experience was also important to VSM. "They had already collected many bells, lamphouses and other components that they wanted to reuse. Pilz provided a complete rail crossing for the tourist steam train Goes-Borsele a few years ago, so that was a nice reference project." Maarten explains that Pilz was not only responsible for the design of the level crossing at VSM, but also for the installation. "For the controls, we used our generic, modular level crossing control system because of its cost-effectiveness. Thanks to the modular concept of this controller, we can quite easily integrate 'foreign' components, such as a different barrier tree. In this way, we realized an authentic level crossing with an eye for detail, but with today's modern techniques."  

Flexible automation partner

For anything that is not a standard solution in the railroad industry, Pilz is the automation partner that can think out of the box. "We have been doing that for exactly 75 years now, putting the safety of people, machine and environment first," says Martin. "By looking closely at the customer's request and based on our expertise and flexibility, we realize solutions that meet the (safety) requirements and the customer's wishes."