On behalf of ASTRA (Federal Roads Office), Autexis successfully implemented the complete renovation of the software for the control and regulation of the room climate systems in the Gotthard Road Tunnel. This involves five mined central plants, two pre-tunnel central plants, two portal central plants, as well as the associated four shaft heads and one shaft base. The project scope included the creation, delivery, installation, and commissioning of the new software, the new controls based on the S7-1515, and the new local operator stations TP1200 Comfort.

Furthermore, a virtual visualization master computer based on WinCC Professional was installed, which collects all trend data (digital and analog), fault and warning messages, as well as operational and status messages from all ventilation systems, archives them long-term, and visualizes them in a processed form. This serves to monitor and continuously optimize all systems.

The use of these modern components enables extensive automatic system diagnostics. Potential failures, such as those of remote I/O or modules, channel diagnostics, network components, and much more, are alarmed and visualized accordingly to avoid longer downtimes and ensure safe operation. All systems can be remotely controlled from the higher-level tunnel control system via an extensive interface. Remote access to all local operator stations is also possible. All software is managed by a central virtual engineering station.

Since identical or similar systems are used in many areas, an extensive block library could be created, ensuring that the same and up-to-date blocks are used everywhere. These are divided into two types:

1. Basic functions such as valves, fire dampers, various motor types, steam humidifiers, refrigeration systems, limit value blocks, etc.

2. Functional units such as main operating mode for air conditioning, fire damper master and slave, fan controls, heat recovery/cooling recovery loop, room controller, weather protection grille heating, supply and exhaust air controllers for heating/cooling, humidification, etc.

This project placed high demands on software programming in a highly networked environment as well as on project management. Thanks to the intensive and successful collaboration with ASTRA and the AfBN (Office for National Road Operations), the project was completed to the full satisfaction of all parties involved. The new software allows for continuous optimization of the system. The technology used comprised the Siemens Industry product suite. The complex programming and integration of the new systems into the existing infrastructure were carried out on schedule and with the highest quality. Autexis was once again able to demonstrate its competence and reliability in a demanding project environment.

In 2024, all fire alarm systems were renovated, meaning the interface signals may be adjusted by us and subsequently commissioned.

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