Virtual Railway Scenario: Testing Automated on-Sight Train Operation

The significance of the railway system in politics and society is growing due to high energy efficiency and low carbon footprint. Research and development in this field are primarily driven by digitalization and automation of train operations. A major challenge in this field is to ensure reliable and preferably error-free operation, for which a suitable test method is required. The challenge is that in a system with an already very high safety standard, real problem cases occur very rarely and are therefore not sufficient as a basis for testing. Inspired by progress in automotive engineering, virtual scenario-based testing is a promising approach to validate the system readiness in early development both cost effective and low on risks. This paper presents the proceeding to virtually set up manifold test scenarios on a structured description language within a simulation environment, with respect to rail operations. In this instance, the focus is on requirements of servicing a shunting yard. The test cases, including the instances of a scenario as well as the expected system behavior expressed as evaluation criteria, are derived from a description of the explicit operational design domain for a limited use case following a structured method. ... mehrThe dedicated file format of the scenario description is human and machine readable and serves as the basis for a repeatable and, to the greatest extent possible, automated process for configuring the scenarios within the simulation environment. Thereby, the scenarios are rendered on the basis of a virtual representation of a real shunting yard layout. The procedural and structural framework of the set-up process encompasses the positioning and interaction of scenario objects within the scenery, as well as the maneuvers of the ego vehicle. The sequence of a simulation run is presented in the context of an example of automated shunting operation. An observing instance is introduced as a part of the simulation environment evaluating any automated system within the virtual test loop based on the intended behavior. The advantage of virtual testing is demonstrated for an efficient test process, including flexible scenario setup, dynamic test case execution as well as test recreation and hence ensuring exact test run repetition, in contrast to conventional, non-digitalized test approaches.