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Pilz Showcases Safe Digital Railway Control Solutions at InnoTrans 2026
PSSrail enables modular, SIL 4-certified control for signalling, level crossings and infrastructure digitisation, supporting safe and efficient railway operations worldwide.
www.pilz.com
Photo: © Pilz GmbH & Co. KG
Pilz, a global automation company, is advancing the modernization of railway infrastructure with its safe, modular PSSrail control system. This technology provides system integrators with a scalable pathway to upgrade signaling technology and trackside operations across diverse railway networks.
Proven Deployment in Global Railway Networks
The PSSrail railway control system offers a high-performance architecture that is actively deployed on over one thousand kilometers of track and more than five hundred level crossings globally. By functioning as a commercial off-the-shelf platform, the system reduces lifecycle costs while maintaining high operational safety standards. The modular design enables operators to tailor configurations for specific applications, ranging from basic track monitoring to the full control of complex level crossings. This flexibility is essential for accommodating the varied legacy infrastructure found in distinct regional railway networks.
Technical Standards and Object Controller Capabilities
To ensure reliability in critical operations, the PSSrail system is certified to Safety Integrity Level 4 in accordance with CENELEC standards. It is fully compatible with EULYNX specifications, functioning effectively as an object controller to manage field elements along the track. By adhering to uniform signaling protocols, the system allows for the seamless integration of digital control mechanisms without necessitating vendor lock-in. At the InnoTrans 2026 trade fair, taking place 22 to 25 September 2026 in Berlin, Germany at Hall 27, Stand 550, Pilz will showcase physical models of these completed applications to demonstrate the transition from relay-controlled interlockings to digital systems.
Secure Data Transmission for Trackside Components
Seamless communication between decentralized rail components requires robust and secure data networks. The Pilz exhibition highlights safe data transmission solutions based on Frauscher Safe Ethernet. This specific protocol facilitates the reliable networking of sensors, axle counters, and control modules along the track. By utilizing secure Ethernet protocols, operators can aggregate field data efficiently while mitigating the risks associated with electromagnetic interference and extended cabling runs. These integrated data transmission capabilities provide the necessary foundation for advanced rail traffic management and automated signaling operations.
Additional Context:
This section details technical specifications and competitive benchmarking not included in the original product announcement
The Pilz PSSrail system operates as a commercial off-the-shelf Safety Integrity Level 4 programmable logic controller designed explicitly for railway environments. In the European market, this system competes directly with programmable logic controllers from HIMA Paul Hildebrandt GmbH, specifically the HIMatrix and HIMax series. Both manufacturers provide modular control platforms that function as EULYNX-compliant object controllers. While the Pilz architecture leverages Frauscher Safe Ethernet and RaSTA protocols for secure communication with interlocking systems, HIMA utilizes its proprietary SafeEthernet protocol, which is also certified up to Safety Integrity Level 4. The HIMatrix platform emphasizes rapid processing with response times significantly below ten milliseconds for highly time-sensitive decentralized applications. Conversely, the PSSrail system provides dedicated hardware modules, such as specialized point object controllers with four-wire interfaces, to directly manage legacy trackside assets while maintaining full EULYNX Baseline 4 compliance.
Edited by Natania Lyngdoh, Induportals editor, assisted by AI.
www.pilz.com
Pilz, a global automation company, is advancing the modernization of railway infrastructure with its safe, modular PSSrail control system. This technology provides system integrators with a scalable pathway to upgrade signaling technology and trackside operations across diverse railway networks.
Proven Deployment in Global Railway Networks
The PSSrail railway control system offers a high-performance architecture that is actively deployed on over one thousand kilometers of track and more than five hundred level crossings globally. By functioning as a commercial off-the-shelf platform, the system reduces lifecycle costs while maintaining high operational safety standards. The modular design enables operators to tailor configurations for specific applications, ranging from basic track monitoring to the full control of complex level crossings. This flexibility is essential for accommodating the varied legacy infrastructure found in distinct regional railway networks.
Technical Standards and Object Controller Capabilities
To ensure reliability in critical operations, the PSSrail system is certified to Safety Integrity Level 4 in accordance with CENELEC standards. It is fully compatible with EULYNX specifications, functioning effectively as an object controller to manage field elements along the track. By adhering to uniform signaling protocols, the system allows for the seamless integration of digital control mechanisms without necessitating vendor lock-in. At the InnoTrans 2026 trade fair, taking place 22 to 25 September 2026 in Berlin, Germany at Hall 27, Stand 550, Pilz will showcase physical models of these completed applications to demonstrate the transition from relay-controlled interlockings to digital systems.
Secure Data Transmission for Trackside Components
Seamless communication between decentralized rail components requires robust and secure data networks. The Pilz exhibition highlights safe data transmission solutions based on Frauscher Safe Ethernet. This specific protocol facilitates the reliable networking of sensors, axle counters, and control modules along the track. By utilizing secure Ethernet protocols, operators can aggregate field data efficiently while mitigating the risks associated with electromagnetic interference and extended cabling runs. These integrated data transmission capabilities provide the necessary foundation for advanced rail traffic management and automated signaling operations.
Additional Context:
This section details technical specifications and competitive benchmarking not included in the original product announcement
The Pilz PSSrail system operates as a commercial off-the-shelf Safety Integrity Level 4 programmable logic controller designed explicitly for railway environments. In the European market, this system competes directly with programmable logic controllers from HIMA Paul Hildebrandt GmbH, specifically the HIMatrix and HIMax series. Both manufacturers provide modular control platforms that function as EULYNX-compliant object controllers. While the Pilz architecture leverages Frauscher Safe Ethernet and RaSTA protocols for secure communication with interlocking systems, HIMA utilizes its proprietary SafeEthernet protocol, which is also certified up to Safety Integrity Level 4. The HIMatrix platform emphasizes rapid processing with response times significantly below ten milliseconds for highly time-sensitive decentralized applications. Conversely, the PSSrail system provides dedicated hardware modules, such as specialized point object controllers with four-wire interfaces, to directly manage legacy trackside assets while maintaining full EULYNX Baseline 4 compliance.
Edited by Natania Lyngdoh, Induportals editor, assisted by AI.
www.pilz.com
