Park Signalling has won a £3m contract with Network Rail to produce a Design Workstation that will support Solid State Interlocking (SSI) signalling systems in the UK.
Configuring SSI systems requires specialised knowledge of railway signalling principles, interlocking logic, and the SSI technology being used.
Park Signalling’s Design Workstation will replace obsolete and unsupported technology, and provide rail engineers with the hardware and software needed to test, configure and make changes to SSI interlockings on a new technology platform.
Marc Winterton, Managing Director, Park Signalling, said:
“We are delighted to continue a long-term partnership with Network Rail, by developing a replacement Design Workstation that is critical to the long-term efficiency of SSI signalling systems.
The award is testament to the innovation and unrivalled technical expertise that gives Network Rail confidence in our ability to deliver signalling, control and obsolescence solutions that enhance the safety and efficiency of UK railways.”
The new Design Workstation will provide an update to the way that SSI signalling systems can be managed, by allowing engineers to create and modify interlocking logic, configure trackside equipment, and perform testing and simulations in a safe and controlled environment.
This will not only improve the efficiency of rail infrastructure, but also bolster the overall safety of the rail network, by minimising downtime and ensuring efficient operation of rail services.
Dr. David McGorman, Managing Director, Unipart Technologies Group said:
“Unipart’s commitment to safety, sustainability, and efficiency has been central to nearly three decades’ of delivering innovative technology and supply chain solutions to the global rail industry.
This latest collaboration with Network Rail further demonstrates Unipart’s ability to provide cutting-edge technology solutions for the rail industry that nobody else can.
By combining Park Signalling’s deep technical understanding, with Unipart’s commitment to performance improvement in the rail industry, we are uniquely positioned to address Network Rail’s critical project requirements and to drive continued progress within the sector.”
Park Signalling will begin work on the project immediately, with an anticipated completion date of September 2026.
What is Solid State Interlocking (SSI)?
SSI is an electronic signalling system introduced by British Rail in the 1980s and still widely used today at over 450 sites in Great Britain, approximately 45% of the UK’s interlockings. The technology is critical to ensuring the safe and efficient movement of trains by controlling signals, points, and other trackside equipment.
Why a Design Workstation is needed
Configuring SSI systems requires specialised knowledge of railway signaling principles, interlocking logic, and the SSI technology being used. The Park Signalling Design Workstation will provide rail engineers with the tools needed to enable configurations and changes to be made to SSI interlockings on a new technology platform as the current technology is obsolete and unsupported.
