railML

RailML is a data exchange format in the rail sector based on XML. railML defined by XML schemas, such as various computer programs to exchange structured data. railML was developed at the Fraunhofer IVI in Dresden and at the ETH Zurich in 2002 and continues to be written in the so-called railML Consortium. Since the summer of 2013, the version 2.2 of the Scheme Description for productive use is enabled. railML is quasi open source, may therefore be used for free by anyone. However, a ( free ) membership in railML Consortium is condition.

Currently, there are three schemes:

• Infrastructure (infrastructure),
• Rolling stock ( rolling stock or vehicles) and
• Timetable (schedule ).

Another XML Schema interlocking ( safety technology ) is still in development, the development of a scheme for substation (stations ) was abandoned.

The development of railML is the railML.org Initiative, a voluntary association of Universities and research institutions, software vendors, consulting firms and industries as well as infrastructure managers and railway transport companies. The staff is open to all interested parties, find it semi-annual meetings are held. The language is due to the predominant usage in Germany and Switzerland German, but all documents are written for better international distribution in English.