PROTECTION METHOD AND PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR A RAIL NETWORK

A rail network is divided by track elements into track sections on which vehicles can travel. The vehicles request, from selected track elements, steps for assignment as a route element. Each of the selected track elements is respectively automatically assigned as a route element, under predefined conditions, for each vehicle which requests the steps for assignment as a route element to it, and outputs an assignment confirmation to the respective vehicle. For better protection of construction and/or maintenance work in the hazardous area of the rail network at least one of the track elements forms, after its integration into the rail network, a working zone and does not output the assignment confirmation for the respective vehicle until after an assignment release is input. The track element is provided with a release device into which the assignment release is input manually.