Gotthard Base Tunnel: Control Technology

Quelle/credit (2): Siemens

The control system in the Tunnel Control Centres displays all electrical facilities and enables them to be operated without on-the-spot attendance. Should there be an error indication the Technical Operator ensures that everything functions properly

Quelle/credit (2): Siemens

Quelle/credit: Siemens

The Operator at all times is in the picture thanks to the Tunnel Control System’s graphic user surface – here a view of the Faido Multi-Function Station

Quelle/credit: Siemens

Quelle/credit: AlpTransit Gotthard AG

Should a train be stranded, the cross-passages between the two tunnel bores as well as two Multi-Function Stations with special emergency stops in the interior of the mountain facilitate the evacuation of up to 1000 persons. Emergency services reach the site of the incident quickly via a number of access points distributed throughout the GBT

Quelle/credit: AlpTransit Gotthard AG

Quelle/credit: Siemens

Peter Müller, Siemens Project Manager for the Tunnel Control System (left) and Raoul Harlacher, Project Manager of Transtec Gotthard (right) in front of an emergency exit in the Gotthard Base Tunnel’s Faido Multi-Function Station

Quelle/credit: Siemens

The ventilation system (the Faido MFS system is shown) is also controlled by the Tunnel Control System

Quelle/credit: Siemens

Permanent availability of the entire system is imperative to ensure that the GBT functions perfectly. The tunnel control systems needed for this purpose are housed in the two Tunnel Control Centres (TCC) at the south and north portals. In the photo: the “Centrale d`esercizio di Pollegio” – CEP for short – at the GBT’s south portal

Quelle/credit: Siemens

In Switzerland the Gotthard Base Tunnel is being built as part of the new rail routes crossing the Alps (NEAT). Towards this end, Siemens was commissioned to provide the tunnel control system. The technology in the Tunnel Control Centre (TCC) represents the beating heart for monitoring and controlling the electro-mechanical systems and is responsible for all operational processes. The electronic system caters for efficiency and safety in the tunnel. Thus the operator in the TCC receives a complete overview of the status of operational systems at any given time. In addition, the Maintenance Management Tool controls how maintenance operations are planned.

The Gotthard Base Tunnel consists of two parallel, 57 km long single-track bores, which are linked to each other by means of 40 m long cross-passages at 325 m gaps. Altogether, the tunnel system with all its routes, shafts and tunnels is 151.8 km in length. The tunnel represents a true project of the century: initial plans for a flat trajectory rail artery already existed back in the late 1940s devised to replace the high mountain route with its narrow curves and 27 ‰ gradients. Work on the GBT in its present form commenced in 1999. The eastern bore was broken through in 2010.

Switzerland is...