Brake testing in freight trains is time consuming and, in most cases, executed manually. Current approaches aim to replicate the manual process, which leads to technical challenges that need to be solved on a wagon individual basis. By assessing past accidents, we find indications that the brake rigging is not frequently involved in malfunctions of brake systems and propose a different sensor set. This sensor set does not require individualisation on the wagon system and is thus suitable for reducing the system cost. A further challenge is the identification of the wagons in a rake as well as their order in the rake. Based on the wagon 4.0 approach, a communication architecture is presented that offers a cost-efficient yet safe solution to this problem. Similar to the above, it relies on proven open protocols and low power hardware in attempt to reduce hardware cost while improving overall safety. From this technological and operational basis, an algorithm for rake setup and brake test is developed that reduces risks currently not covered in brake test procedures.

FH Aachen & RailCrowd GmbH: Prof. Dr. Raphael Pfaff, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Manfred Enning