Train Information Management System

A standardised train platform as a customer information and communication system for SBB's vehicle fleet

The Train Information Management System (TIMS) is a comprehensive software solution for rail vehicles for the areas of customer information and communication system, which is being developed by the company AKROS for SBB. TIMS is part of the new APFZ on-board computer of SBB (applications in the vehicle), which includes the proprietary systems of train suppliers (e.g. Stadler, Siemens, Bombardier, subcontractors) replaced by an SBB standardized solution (software from AKROS and hardware-dedicated peripheral suppliers of SBB) from AKROS. TIMS ensures that passengers are permanently informed visually and acoustically during a train journey. Communication within a train and the APFZ headquarters are ensured.

Requirements for the new APFZ 2.0 system
Replacement of the proprietary systems of the train suppliers by APFZ 2.0 as a standardised system for SBB's vehicle fleet. These include the vehicle platform (FZPF) as an integration and communication system of a train as well as the customer information system for visual and acoustic passenger information. This modern, future-oriented and flexible solution based on state-of-the-art and open technologies has led to an important rationalisation and savings potential for SBB.

Services AKROS

The TIMS software builds on current best practices with microservices, which are optimized for a long life cycle. This achieves a clear division of the various tasks, which can then be implemented, distributed and maintained individually and independently. The entire communication between the microservices takes place via a message bus and is exclusively asynchronous. Components such as the HMI touchscreen HMI of the train drivers or the new customer information monitors also communicate with the remaining microservices via the message bus. The development of TIMS is basically based on agile methodology and a combination of SAFe, SCRUM and KANBAN. Product releases are delivered by continous build, deploy and integrate.

Technologies and Methods
IoT, Micro Services, Messaging MQTT, NMEA, AMQP Hardware integration SNMP, PDI, TRDP, XML-RPC, Asterisks Programming languages Java, Python, C++, Typescript Frameworks, databases, tools Spring, H2, Lombok, Jackson, Maven, Jenkins

4'500 person days

Procedure methodology
Agile methodology according to SAFe with SCRUM and KANBAN