SIGNAL+DRAHT | Ausgabe 06/2015
High availability: definition, influencing factors and solutions
The aim of using highly available components and systems in the rail sector is to ensure that operation is as smooth as possible. In the field of signalling, the challenge lies in finding a solution that provides the highestlevels of satisfaction in terms of beingboth cost effective and fail-safe. While previously, cost-intensive redundant designs were seen as the only option,more recent developments have created alternative approaches that seek to reconcile the conflicting priorities of cost-effectiveness and availability. In addition to these options, a rangeof basic conditions that form the foundation for the availability of a signalling system must always be taken into consideration.