Over 7 million shunting movements take place on SBB’s network every year. We aim to make shunting operations even safer.
Technical and organisational measures will improve safety when shunting trains and wagons. As part of this initiative, SBB is implementing various projects involving people, technology and organisation. All measures seek to reduce shunting incidents and, in turn, to improve quality standards.
The priority here is safe and punctual shunting operations. The safety and quality standards ensure safer and more punctual transport for SBB customers, while also improving staff safety. SBB is launching various projects to achieve this goal and is continuously raising safety standards.
Overview of current projects.
SBB has developed a ‘shunting warning function’ app as a technical aid for shunting engine drivers to automatically warn them of shunting signals indicating a stop, to visualise the defined route of a shunting movement and to trigger an alert if a ‘dwarf signal’ is unintentionally crossed during shunting operations. The signal box and control technology enable the continuous monitoring of shunting movements. In the event of deviations, a visual and acoustic warning signal can be triggered via the app.
Shunting communication is one of the key tools in the day-to-day activities of shunting staff. With the 3G network scheduled for shutdown at the end of 2025, SBB has developed a successor solution for shunting communication in collaboration with partners. Shunting operations are becoming more digital. The new app runs on existing smartphones and tablets and can be developed on an ongoing basis.
Additional practical training courses aim to provide even better training and development opportunities for shunting staff and to refresh or extend their practical knowledge. Company training programmes are also being adapted to promote safety awareness in a practically relevant way.
Additional measures are being prepared to further improve the quality of shunting operations.
