Relay signaling migration: The structured solution for railway signaling modernization

Transforming legacy systems based on relays into future-ready railway operations

Prover is committed to engineering a safer world by enabling the railway industry to modernize confidently. Building on our expertise in Signaling Design Automation (SDA) and formal methods, we proudly introduce our solution: Relay Signaling Migration – a structured approach for transitioning relay-based interlocking systems to modern platforms based on open signaling.

The urgent need for migration

As legacy systems near the end of their lifecycle, reliable migration is more critical than ever. Relay-based interlocking systems have supported railway operations for decades, but maintaining them presents increasing challenges:

• Loss of expertise: The industry faces a growing shortage of relay specialists
• Parts scarcity: Essential components are becoming harder to source
• Documentation gaps: Critical system knowledge is often incomplete or missing
• Rising maintenance costs: Aging systems require more frequent intervention
• Compatibility limitations: Integration with modern technologies is restricted
• Safety concerns: Meeting current standards becomes increasingly difficult

Without the expertise of those who built these systems, migrating to a modern solution is no longer an option; it’s a necessity.

Why migration efforts often stall

Despite the clear need, many organizations struggle to begin the transition due to the following:

1. Insufficient legacy system documentation
2. Complex compliance requirements
3. Perceived migration complexity
4. Operational disruption concerns

The Prover solution: A three-step approach

Relay Signaling Migration eliminates these roadblocks by providing a systematic approach rooted in automation and formal verification:

Step 1: Forward engineering of existing systems

• Capture system logic through diagram analysis
• Create formal specifications of generic functionality
• Document critical knowledge in structured formats

Step 2: Create digital twins and apply changes

• Replicate legacy systems in digital environments
• Test modifications safely before deployment
• Validate changes without operational impact

Step 3: Transfer logic to an open platform

• Generate or port logic to modern systems
• Automate verification and validation
• Ensure compliance with current safety standards

Key technologies enabling successful migration

Our solution leverages powerful tools that serve as the Signaling Design Automation platform developed specifically for these challenges:

• Prover Extractor: Our advanced tool reads and analyzes circuit diagrams, creating accurate digital twins of existing relay-based systems
• Prover Studio: A specialized Integrated Development Environment (IDE) used for modeling and formal specification creation. 
• Prover iLock is the cornerstone of specific application (SA) development. It provides a robust platform for configuration, simulation, and formal verification. This tool supports data preparation, code generation, and scenario-based simulation, ensuring that requirements are met with precision. 
• Prover Certifier: Certified for CENELEC EN 50128 and EN 50716 SIL 4 compliance, Prover Certifier automates the creation of safety evidence, ensuring full regulatory adherence. It validates safety properties using formal methods, providing comprehensive, traceable safety documentation essential for railway applications.

The long-term benefits of modern signaling

Migrating to an open signaling system yields numerous advantages:

• Operational Efficiency: Real-time diagnostics and predictive maintenance reduce delays and manual labor
• Scalability & Adaptability: Open platforms support evolving operational needs and future infrastructure growth
• Compliance & Safety: Modern systems meet today’s standards, supporting secure and regulated operations
• Cost Control: A phased, verified approach ensures project timelines and budgets stay on track

Your partner for railway transformation

The Prover solution Relay Signaling Migration is your blueprint for a controlled, secure, and future-proof transformation of relay-based interlocking systems. It brings together Prover’s deep expertise in formal verification and SDA to help railway operators meet modernization goals without compromising on safety, cost, or performance.

Whether you’re looking to preserve decades of system knowledge, reduce reliance on obsolete technology, or take the first step toward an open signaling future, Prover is ready to lead the way.

Contact Prover today to begin your structured migration journey.