The MPC-EL Innovation Laboratory at PGUPS: Modern Training for Future Railway Engineers.
On February 9 a grand opening ceremony was held at the Petersburg State University of Railway Communications (PGUPS) for a new training complex dedicated to the operation and maintenance of the MPC-EL computer-based interlocking system.
This is the first Russian digital railway traffic control system developed and manufactured by the GC NPS companies, including JSC ELTEZA (a subsidiary of Russian Railways and also part of the GC NPS).
The laboratory fully simulates a station equipped with the MPC‑EL computer‑based interlocking system. The instructor’s automated workstation enables modeling of various routine and emergency situations, giving students the opportunity to solve tasks similar to those faced by station duty officers and mechanics during their work. The laboratory includes the basic configuration of the MPC‑EL system consisting of several key components: a central processing unit, object controllers, telecommunications equipment, and surge protection devices. It also includes local control and supervisory system, field engineering unit and СТС operator’s workstation. Additionally, the lab includes a digital track circuit control module with automatic signal-level control and necessary trackside equipment, such as point machine, cable connector, transformer box and light signal.
The establishment of MPC-EL laboratory within the Oktyabrskaya Railway is driven by the strategic importance of this main line for the implementation of flagship federal infrastructure projects and will contribute to enhancing the quality of training for a new generation of specialists.
MPC-EL is a centralized system for the remote control of station switches and signals, featuring a defined safety integrity level, monitoring of technical equipment involved in the control process, and the provision of real-time, archival, and reference information to train dispatchers, as well as the generation of logs for device operation and staff actions. The system is equipped with reliable power supply units, protection devices, and individual insulation resistance monitoring units. Information security is ensured by the integrated KSPK-EL cyber-protection system. During the system's development the company utilized over 1,400 technical know-hows. The full production cycle is established at the Losinoostrovsky Electrical Engineering Plant a branch of ELTEZA JSC. To date, more than 200 stations in Russia are equipped with the MPC‑EL system.