{"id":8334,"date":"2026-09-11T10:49:27","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T08:49:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scs.ch\/uncategorized-en-us\/blockchain-for-safety-critical-interlocking-logic\/"},"modified":"2026-09-20T07:38:59","modified_gmt":"2026-09-20T05:38:59","slug":"blockchain-for-safety-critical-interlocking-logic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scs.ch\/en\/case-studies\/blockchain-for-safety-critical-interlocking-logic\/","title":{"rendered":"Blockchain for Safety-Critical Interlocking Logic"},"content":{"rendered":"

Initial Situation<\/h2><\/div>

Safety-critical railway components are expensive because they require specialized hardware and their development is subject to strict regulations. The TARO project therefore investigated whether a distributed system could be built on standard computers in such a way that safety-critical logic can be executed reliably and traceably. A private blockchain was one possible architectural component. <\/p>\n<\/div>

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Project Overview<\/h3><\/div>

Client<\/strong>
\u00d6BB<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Sector<\/strong>
Public Transport<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Solution<\/strong>
Private blockchain for interlocking logic on standard computers.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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System Environment <\/strong>
Private blockchain as a reservation system, additional “Operational State” layer as a veto, simulator<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Type <\/strong>
Concept, prototype, and demonstrator, with performance measurements for the regional railway sector<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Open Point<\/strong>
Certification of blockchain for safety-critical applications<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The Contribution of SCS<\/h2><\/div>

SCS developed a concept in which the safety-critical interlocking logic is executed as a smart contract on a private blockchain. A prototype and a simulator were used to practically investigate the architecture, functionality, and performance of the approach. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Targeted Use of Blockchain<\/h4><\/div>
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Only safety-critical functions run via the blockchain. Other tasks remain on technologies with higher throughput, more memory, and lower development costs. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Reservation Instead of Signal<\/h4><\/div>
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Track sections, switches, and railroad crossings are reserved for a train in advance. A valid reservation digitally corresponds to a green signal. If it is missing or the connection is lost, the safe state applies: the train stops. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Current State Has Veto Power<\/h4><\/div>
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The blockchain manages the reservation but does not map the current state of a switch quickly enough. Therefore, SCS added an Operational State. The train only moves if both the blockchain and the physical component agree. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Prototype and Simulator Built<\/h4><\/div>
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In addition to the concept, SCS developed a blockchain prototype and a simulator. Performance measurements showed sufficient performance for the regional railway sector. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Result<\/h2><\/div>

The concept, blockchain prototype, and simulator showed that the developed reservation principle is technically feasible. Performance measurements resulted in sufficient performance for regional railway applications. The concept and demonstrator were discussed with experts from \u00d6BB Infrastruktur AG and other project partners. However, the path to productive use is not yet complete. A central open question remains the certification of blockchain technology for safety-critical applications. The demonstrator provides a technical basis for further investigation of private blockchain systems in reliable railway applications. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Concept, Prototype, Simulator<\/h3><\/div>

Three building blocks for testing the approach.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Regional Railway<\/h3><\/div>

Sufficient performance in measurements.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Certification Pending<\/h3><\/div>

Key next step before productive use.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Services Provided<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Blockchain<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

System Architecture<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

High-Level Software<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Public Transport<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Your Contact Person<\/h2><\/div>
Sabine Proll<\/div><\/div>

Lead Blockchain
+41 43 456 16 00<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>

Speak with the responsible specialist<\/span>Speak with the responsible specialist<\/span><\/div><\/a><\/div>

For questions regarding blockchain, reliable distributed systems, and safety-critical applications.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Further Case Studies<\/h2><\/div>