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Technical visits

Tuesday 24 July 2012, by Maguelonne de Cossart

Day III. Technical Day Visits

Saturday 27 October 2012

09:00

Visit 1. Technical Visit of Apparato Centrale Computerizzato (ACC), in Mestre

The Mestre Interlocking is a programmable electronic safety system developed by
Ansaldo, known as ACC (Apparato Centrale Computerizzato). It is used for the
command and control of railway signalling applications (stations, lines, etc.), and is in
charge of managing the functions that link the Italian signalling system with those of
other European railways.

In addition, the ACC has the ability to automatically diagnose the electronic system
(computer, memories, actuators, etc.) and the field elements (switches, lamps, etc.),
assisting the railway operator and the maintenance staff.
The system has drastically reduced the number of faults, and therefore increased the
reliability and availability of the railway infrastructure.

Visit 2. The Mose System of Venice

The Mose System to safeguard Venice from high waters consists of mobile barriers
able to temporarily separate the lagoon from the sea. It is being constructed at the
lagoon inlets of Lido, Malamocco and Chioggia, the three openings in the barrier
island through which tides enter the lagoon.

The mobile barriers consist of rows of gates. In normal tidal conditions, the gates (a
type of pontoon) rest in caissons on the bed in the inlets, completely invisible and
without affecting the tidal flow between sea and lagoon. During high waters, they are
raised and prevent the tide from entering. When the gates are in operation, the
continuity of port operations will be guaranteed by a lock for large shipping being
constructed at the Malamocco inlet.

The Mose system can protect the lagoon and its cities from tides of up to 3 m and will
therefore be effective even if the level of the sea rises significantly during the next few
decades.