CATS Computer Aided Testing System

CATS Computer Aided Testing System

The Technologies division of Balfour Beatty Rail is a market leader in the provision of signalling products and services to the global rail industry.

With significant expertise in the testing of signalling interlockings, the Computer Aided Testing System (CATS) has been developed specifically to meet the varied requirements of the signalling testing and commissioning process.

Developed specifically by signal engineers, CATS offers a flexible, automated solution to the signalling tester to assist in the testing and commissioning of interlockings.

Testing support is also available as a service using experienced signalling works testers (Modules 2, 3, 4 & 5) and signalling maintenance testers to assist the available testing resource.

CATS offers a number of project benefits at all stages of the testing process:

• Personnel requirements can be reduced - for example, principles testing can be undertaken by one principles tester

• Assists the signalling test and reduces the risk associated with commissioning

• Increased safety

• Improved testing records for auditing purproses

• Reduces the time taken for the testing of interlockings

• All signalling equipment can be simulated without possessions

• The entire interlocking can be functionally tested before the commissioning

• Improved method for fault finding

• Cost effective solution

CATS offers a number of key features:

• The hardware is connected to the incoming and out going cable links or plug couplers

• Compact and easily installed, using Windows-based software

• Once CATS has been connected the interlockings are ‘set to work’ and basic route setting is undertaken by in-house IRSE-licensed testers

• Up to 4,200 channels can be configured acting as inputs or outputs

• Interfaces with any type of mechanical, relay or eletronic interlocking

• Full user training included

• Design and configuration is undertaken offsite by fully trained and IRSE-licensed engineers

Benefits and Features

• Trackside simulation/panel simulation

• Geographical set testing - Westpac/GEC

• Free wired interlockings

• Level crossings

• Lever frame simulation

• TDM testing

• Other customer specific requirements

Typical Uses of CATS

The abolition of the Rochdale signal box, in preparation for the Manchester Metrolink extension, required a new RRI to be installed with control from a new NX panel at Castleton.

CATS was used on the replacement RRI project to enable the advance function and principles testings of the interlocking. A CATS trackside simulator was provided in conjunction with a panel simulator incorporating a simulated PBI located in the REB.

All principles testing was undertaken from the REB and once the test team was satisfied with identified issues, the TDM was connected to the new NX panel. A brief principles test was then undertaken in preparation for the final commissioning.

During the weekend of the commissioning only trackside correspondence and fringe principles testing was required, thus reducing testing time and the risk of the project overrunning.

Project Rochdale Re-signalling

Client Network Rail

Type RRI

Size Large

Location Rochdale

Date 2011

Case Studies

Case Studies

CATS was deployed to aid the testing of the replacement interfaced SMARTLOCK interlocking as part of the SAIR project. CATS was installed in the new REBs and configured as a trackside and level crossing simulator with remote communications to enable the tester to operate the trackside simulator from the controlling signal box.

This enabled the tester to set routes via the panel simulator and to simulate trains and fault conditions through the CATS system and the SMARTLOCK interlocking.

All through testing was completed ahead of schedule by utilising the functionality of CATS. Rehearsals were also undertaken and to facilitate this, CATS was simply disconnected in readiness and reconnected for modification testing.

Project Southampton Area Interlocking Renewals (SAIR)

Client Signalling Solutions for Network Rail

Type Interfaced SMARTLOCK 400

Size Four VIXLs

Location Eastleigh ASC and remote REBs

Date 2010 - 2011

Projects Silver Migration Alleviation

Client Babcock for Network Rail

Type Westpac Mk3a geographical sets

Size Circa 3,000 sets

Location Routiner testing undertaken at Babcock Depot

Date 2006 - 2012

CATS routiner testing was undertaken for every new replacement Westpac set being installed on the West Coast Mainline.

Pre-written automatic test routines were run through the geographical set to functionally test every circuit path and plug pin within the geographical set.

This gave the test and project team the confidence that the geographical set was both wired and functioned correctly prior to commissioning.

Contact:

Balfour Beatty Rail Ltd

Quarnmill House, Stores Road,Derby DE21 4XF

Tel: +44 (0) 1332 225130Fax: +44 (0) 1332 225131

info.bbrt.uk@bbrail.comwww.bbrail.co.uk

Copyright © 2012 Balfour Beatty Rail LtdAll rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of Balfour Beatty Rail Ltd.

CATS