Control software for tunnel engineering systems

The technical automation company expects to complete development and simulation tests before the end of this year. Then it is waiting for the delivery of both tunnels. 

As a technical automation company, ICT Group operates in several markets, including infra. "We specialize in the development and management of control software for tunnel technical installations, among others," says Menno Kamminga, Business Development Manager Infra at ICT Group. "As a well-known relationship of BAAK, we were asked to submit a bid for local control. Out of the three submitters, our submission came out on top." According to Senior Project Manager Pasquale Rinaldi, this was mainly due to the fact that the plan and method of working matched BAAK's expectations. "Both in terms of project management, but also in terms of approach and test simulations."

Software generator

The local control system developed by ICT Group will soon be responsible for controlling many of the installations in and around the tunnel. Think of installations such as the ventilators, escape doors, fire extinguishing facilities, water drainage, etc. "The software was developed based on BAAK's technical input information in the execution design," continues Rinaldi. "Our scope includes developing the software, testing it, integrating it with the 3B layer and supporting BAAK in commissioning. Using our software generator, based on the input information from BAAK and the technical coordination with the supplier of the 3B layer, we generate the drivers for all tunnel technical installations. All those control programs are then linked back together to a main program, which is specially developed for both tunnels. The two tunnels are completely separated from each other at the level of local control."

The local control software is almost ready and extensively tested, including in terms of integration with the 3B layer. "We carried out the latter using integration tests in cooperation with Technolution, the party developing the 3B layer." In terms of control, by the way, "the complexity is not so bad compared to previous projects we have done," Rinaldi says. "This is a connection with no turns or other anomalous issues that could be complicating. Of course, it's still a critical environment that won't tolerate mistakes. The collaboration with Technolution and BAAK has also been so enjoyable and professional that it didn't feel like a challenge. When the physical construction work of the tunnel has progressed to the point where the tunnel technical installations can be put into operation, we will come into the picture again. We will then support BAAK in commissioning."