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Press Release20 May 2010Siemens AGMunich, Germany

Siemens traffic systems gets millions of vacationers to their summer destinations safely

The control center used by the Southern Bavaria Highway Authority is a prime example of how Siemens transportation systems are being applied. The center uses the systems to control traffic from its location in the Bavarian city of Freimann near Munich. The Southern Bavaria Highway Authority is responsible for more than 1,100 kilometers of autobahn, including southern Germany’s heavily traveled Autobahns 8 and 9. The Freimann control center, which is considered to be one of the world’s most advanced, supports nearly one million vehicles a day. Siemens control systems automatically register traffic volumes and weather conditions and adjust electronic road signs accordingly. For example, speed limits can be reduced, traffic jam alerts activated, emergency lanes opened for traffic and traffic flows rerouted from overcrowded to less-traveled roads with the help of variable direction signs.
Tunnels are among the most dangerous sections of the autobahn. For example, dealing with breakdowns is considerably more difficult there than on open highways. Siemens tunnel technology turns the dark connecting links into secure high-tech transportation routes. Siemens researchers have developed a technology that reduces the risk and impact of tunnel fires. A new system recognizes overheated truck brakes even before tunnel entry so that an alarm can be sounded in the event of danger. A radio frequency identification (RFID) system registers information regarding the contents of hazardous material transporters even before they enter the tunnel and relays it to the control center so that fire services have the appropriate extinguishing agents on hand if fire breaks out. Tests of the new system will begin in the Aubing Tunnel near Munich in May.
Siemens technology is already ensuring safety in numerous tunnels in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. For example, Siemens has installed fire protection systems in all the tunnels on Zürich’s A3 western bypass and on the A4 link. The aim of the project, which was one of the largest highway projects to be implemented in Switzerland in the last few years, was to create a faster link between the economic centers of Zürich and central Switzerland. The highway link has also helped reduce traffic volumes in numerous communities besides Zürich.
Safety was a key focus in the planning and construction of the Swiss tunnel project. To guarantee optimal fire protection in the tunnels, Siemens relied on the FibroLaser fire detection system, which helps detect fires rapidly while precisely localizing their point of origin. At the same time, the system is largely immune to external influences such as smoke development. Its core element is a control and guidance element that is connected with a sensor cable, which consists of two optical fibers (fiber optic cables). The sensor cable for each control unit may be up to 4,000 meters long. The cable functions as a linear sensor and – divided into thousands of “individual sensors” by appropriate electronics and software – can accurately pinpoint temperature increases to within one meter. Siemens operates some 2,500 kilometers of FibroLaser around the world – a distance greater than that between Oslo in Norway and Sicily in the south of Italy.

For this press release

Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, operating in the industry, energy and healthcare sectors. For over 160 years, Siemens has stood for technological excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality. The company is the world’s largest provider of environmental technologies, generating €23 billion – nearly one-third of its total revenue – from green products and solutions. In fiscal 2009, which ended on September 30, 2009, revenue totaled €76.7 billion and net income €2.5 billion. At the end of September 2009, Siemens had around 405,000 employees worldwide. Further information is available on the Internet at: www.siemens.com.
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Contact

Alexander Becker

Siemens AG

Wittelsbacherplatz 2
80333 Munich
Germany

+49 (89) 636-36558