Thank you for your email received by us on 5 September 2017 asking for information about the software used to operate Transport For London’s (TfL) rail services.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You asked for:

details on the computer system that is used to manage your rail network – I’m not sure how much more specific I could be in this sorry.

Such as what software you use

The program that manages the trains and switching on the lines

We use a variety of signalling systems to control our train movements; those used for our London Underground and Docklands Light Railway (DLR) services are summarised below:

• “Conventional” signalling: Trains driven manually to colour light signals, enforced by trainstops and tripcocks. Trains detected by audio frequency track circuits. Timetables controlled by bespoke computer systems but signals can be manually set from the control centre when required. This type of signalling is currently used on the following lines; Bakerloo, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Piccadilly and Waterloo & City.

• Thales SelTrac ;moving-block Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) system) (loop-based): This system provides automatic train operation where the train drives itself from one station to the next. The signalling commands are transmitted from a central control computer to each individual train by means of a transmitting wire loop that runs along the track between the running rails. This system is currently fitted to the Jubilee and Northern lines, and to the DLR. The DLR includes a slightly greater degree of automation than the other two tube lines, as the train doors are automatically enabled at each station; whereas on the Jubilee and Northern lines this is controlled by the driver.

• Thales SelTrac CBTC (radio-based): This system is a newer version of the loop-based system described above; instead of an inductive loop running along the track, the signalling commands will be transmitted to the trains via radio. This system is currently in the process of being installed on the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines under the Four Lines Modernisation (4LM) project that is due for completion in 2022.

• Siemens Distance-To-Go Radio (DTG-R) system: This signalling system is installed on the Victoria line based on fixed block train detection with vital radio data transmission between each interlocking area and the train.

• Deep Tube Upgrade Programme: This programme of modernisation work will eventually replace the current signalling systems and also trains on the Bakerloo, Central, Piccadilly and Waterloo & City lines. The programme is currently in the very early stages of development, and therefore work will not commence for several years.

The names and functions of the various software programmes used to run our London Overground services are provided in the table below:

Software What it does
TRUST – Train Running System Network Rail software used to track train movements, and keep track of performance statistics. The TRC uses TRUST to make amendments and alterations to the timetable which feeds into and updates various passenger information systems.
CCF – Control Centre for the Future GUI mapping software that tracks the movements of trains, and shows a basic visual representation of routes set by the signal box. This is used to predict conflicting movements when making alterations to the train service, and can be used to show replays of train movements to investigate incidents of lost time. Can also display lists of train services highlighting lateness.
TMIS – Train Movement Information System Similar to the way CCF works.
P2 A dated mapping software that was superseded by CCF. Rarely used.
CCIL – Control Centre Incident Log Web based national logging system where incidents that impact on delivery of the train service are recorded.
COMPASS As per CCIL. Different TOCs use different local logging systems.
Sheila  Sheila holds diagram information for train crew. During disrupted working controllers can see where train crew are scheduled to be which assists them in making service alterations.
LICC (Local Information Control Centre) Ties into the customer information systems that are displayed at stations, the user can update cancelled trains and amended calling pattern.
AMEY Similar to LICC, allows the user to update customer information systems.
DARWIN Darwin is the rail industry’s official rain running information system. It feeds into TOC websites, mobile apps and the departure boards at stations. There are numerous third party applications that are designed to feed into and update Darwin.
Verint Verint is the CCTV system used on the network, allowing real time images of stations to be displayed in Control.

A further useful source of information on railway systems in general can be found at the http://www.railway-technical.com/ website; their signalling and automatic train control pages may be of particular interest.

Technology and systems provider Thales also publishes information that may be of assistance via the following links to their website:

https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/transportation/train-control-cbtc
https://www.thalesgroup.com/sites/default/files/asset/document/SelTracBrochure_CBTCSolutions_eng.pdf

I hope this information is useful.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely

Jasmine Howard
FOI Case Officer
Information Governance
Transport For London