Introduction
The RCS 3000 (remote-controlled signal) is a mobile signal that can be set remotely, with a single command, to display a red stop aspect in both directions of travel. It can be used, for example, to mark the limit of a possession or a worksite, or in non-centrally controlled areas to provide worksite protection without a member of staff having to place and remove a traditional closure board (Signal 513).
This safety solution from Dual Inventive has been developed, deployed and rigorously tested at Kijfhoek since 2020 under strict operational conditions, in close collaboration with ProRail, the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT), Strukton Rail and, later, VolkerRail. In June 2026, the RCS 3000 was certified by Stichting RailAlert as a worksite protection device and is now available to all interested parties.
An Alternative to the Traditional Signal 513 Board
The RCS 3000 was developed in response to several incidents at Kijfhoek, the largest freight marshalling yard in the Netherlands, and a vital part of the rail infrastructure connecting the Port of Rotterdam to the European hinterland. At the time, worksite protection relied on Signal 513 closure boards (possession limit boards (PLBs) used to indicate the limit of a protected work area. These closure boards had to be manually installed in the track and removed once work was complete.
Although the closure boards (PLBs) have become more compact and lighter over the years, installing them remains a time-consuming and labour-intensive task inside the danger zone. In practice, safety officers often have to walk long distances along the track carrying one or more closure boards (PLBs). This takes valuable time away from planned work and also introduces additional safety risks. There is also the possibility that a board may be placed incorrectly, may not be clearly visible, or may not be removed after the possession has ended. In addition, a traditional board provides no means of continuous monitoring. There is no way to verify that the board has been placed correctly or if it has been temporarily removed to allow rolling stock access to the worksite, that has been reinstated correctly afterwards.
For these reasons, an alternative solution was sought that would provide the same safety function without requiring staff to enter the track in order to place or remove it, and that — through digitalisation — would also deliver productivity benefits for the contractor.
A Remotely Operated, Mobile Signal
To address this need, Dual Inventive developed the Remote-Controlled Signal 3000 (RCS 3000): a mobile and remotely operated signal displaying a stop aspect, controlled and monitored through a web or mobile application via MTinfo 3000 EU safety cloud.
With the RCS 3000, a stop aspect can be activated or deactivated remotely within seconds, whether for a single device, or multiple RCS 3000 devices at the same time. As a result, different limits or sections of a worksite can be protected quickly, efficiently and with greater flexibility.
The RCS 3000 can be combined with other Dual Inventive remote-control devices, such as the ZKL 3000 RC and the RSS 3000, as well as with third-party systems managed through the MTinfo 3000 platform – making it possible to activate several types of worksite protection device within a single possession almost simultaneously.
“At the push of a button and within seconds: the track taken out of service, the limits marked, the overhead line earthed and the level crossing secured.”
A key advantage of the RCS 3000 is its continuous monitoring capability. The system constantly verifies correct operation and issues active alerts if a fault is detected. This enables rapid intervention and provides higher levels of safety, reliability and operational control.
From Prototype to Certified Worksite Protection Device
The RCS 3000 has been in use as a prototype on the hump system of Kijfhoek marshalling yard since 2020. Since then, the system has been applied in practice and developed further. Development was based on the standards NEN-EN 50126, 50128 and 50129 The system has also been validated by DEKRA Rail at SIL 4 level.
In June 2026 the RCS 3000 was certified by Stichting RailAlert as a worksite protection device. This means that the device is now commercially available for deployment across all possessions.
By autumn 2016 the prototypes currently in use at VolkerRai’s Kijfhoek marshalling yard will be replaced with the certified RCS 3000. From that point onwards, Swietelsky Rail Benelux will begin to deploy the technology across its railway projects.
Arthur Hartman, Manager Logistiek & Spoorwegveiligheid at Swietelsky Rail Benelux B.V, said:The Dual Inventive RCS 3000 marks a significant advancement in modern track possessions safety and railway safety on operational railway infrastructure. Its capability to remotely activate and deactivate the warning signal reduces the need for railway personnel to enter the track danger zone, thereby minimising human-train interaction. At the same time, it enhances signal conspicuity and situational awareness, contributing to a higher level of safety in railway.
Enhanced Safety and Productivity
Using the RCS 3000 makes the set-up and execution of possessions safer, more flexible and more efficient.
The RCS 3000 can be used for:
- blocking tracks in non-centrally controlled areas (NCBG)
- closing off sidings and track connections quickly, flexibly and safely
- marking the end of a work location where it lies within 150 metres of the end of the work possession
- marking the end of a work location at open level crossings
- managing the entry and exit of rolling stock in a controlled manner, without a signal being passed at danger
- monitoring the correct repositioning of a signal displaying a stop aspect
- increasing the speed at which engineering trains can move between different work locations.
Logistical, Safety and Productivity Gains
Ultimately, the success of this solution lies in the close collaboration between the client, industry partners, users and product developer. Through a rigorous development process, extensive testing in the field, and a strong focus on user requirements, the solution has been developed to meet the needs of the rail industry. The RCS 3000 is a smarter approach to worksite protection that increases productivity, improves operational efficiencies and enhances safety.
The idea for the RCS 3000 was born at Kijfhoek marshalling yard in the Netherlands, a location of strategic importance to freight transport to and from the European hinterland.
Thanks to its development in line with the European standards, the agnostic architecture of the MTinfo 3000 EU Safety Cloud, and extensive hours of operational testing in the field, the RCS 3000 is ready for wider deployment across European and British rail networks.
For more information, email [email protected] or head to our website www.dualinventive.com
This article was originally published by Dual Inventive.
