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Digital representation of rail network
What is RINF? / Chapter 3

The Data Model

How is a railway network structured digitally? RINF 3.1 breaks it down into nodes, lines, and assets.

A. Core Network Objects

Section of Line (SoL) Connects two OPs OP A Station X OP B Terminal Y Length defined in km

Operational Points (OPs)

OPs are the "nodes" of the network. They are locations where train services begin, end, change route, or where services are provided.

Passenger Terminal Freight Terminal Border Point Station Junction

Sections of Line (SoL)

The part of the line connecting two adjacent Operational Points. An SoL may consist of several parallel running tracks.

Infrastructure Elements

The physical assets responsible for the capabilities of the network:

  • ●
    Tracks
    Running tracks, sidings.
  • ●
    Trackside Objects
    Signals, Switches, Hot Axle Box Detectors.
  • ●
    Structures
    Tunnels, Bridges, Platforms.
  • ●
    CCS Elements
    Radio Block Centers (RBC), Level Crossings.

B. Topology and Relations

Assets don't float in void; they are connected. RINF defines this connectivity through Net Elements and Net Relations.

Track 1 (Linear Element) Track 2 Track 3 S1 Switch (Non-Linear Element) Net Relations

Net Elements

The building blocks of topology.
- Linear Elements (e.g., Tracks) have length.
- Non-Linear Elements (e.g., Switches, Buffer stops) are connection points.

Net Relations

Define connectivity.
"Track A connects to Track B via Switch S."
This defines navigability and permitted directions of travel.

C. Positioning

How do we know where something is? RINF uses a triple approach:

  • Geospatial
    Coordinates (Lat/Lon) and shapes, defined using the standard GeoSPARQL ontology.
  • Topological
    Location relative to the network graph (e.g., "On Track X").
  • Linear
    Mileage. Using Kilometer Posts and offsets to align with national referencing systems (e.g., "At KM 12.500").