Method for processing a projected staggered point operation to achieve a setting of one or more sets of points (W1 to W4) in rail-bound traffic, comprising the following method steps: a) arranging a plurality of communication units (SCU1 to SCU5) in a data loop , wherein the communication units (SCU1 to SCU5) are embodied to store the projected staggered point operation and to receive point setting commands from a central control instance , for example from an interlocking; b) arranging a number of element controllers (EC) for the points (W1 to W4), wherein the element controller (EC) is used to control a point motor and each element controller (EC) is assigned to precisely one communication unit (SCU1 to SCU5); c) once a first of the communication units (SCU1) has obtained a point setting command, blocking the projected staggered point operation for the other communication units (SCU2 to SCU5) arranged in this data loop ; d) processing the point setting command obtained for the element controller (EC) connected to this first communication unit (SCU1), and in doing so recording a switch-on current for the respective point motor; and e) lifting the block and releasing the staggered point operation to the second communication unit (SCU2) projected according to the staggered point operation, after falling below a predefinable switch-on current; f) processing the point setting command obtained for the element controller (EC) connected to this second communication unit (SCU2), and in doing so recording a switch-on current for the respective point motor; and g) repeating steps e) and f) until the last point setting command output for the communication units (SCU5) arranged in this data loop has also been processed by the staggered releasing of the projected staggered point operation. a) arranging a plurality of communication units (SCU1 to SCU5) in a data loop , wherein the communication units (SCU1 to SCU5) are embodied to store the projected staggered point operation and to receive point setting commands from a central control instance , for example from an interlocking; b) arranging a number of element controllers (EC) for the points (W1 to W4), wherein the element controller (EC) is used to control a point motor and each element controller (EC) is assigned to precisely one communication unit (SCU1 to SCU5); c) once a first of the communication units (SCU1) has obtained a point setting command, blocking the projected staggered point operation for the other communication units (SCU2 to SCU5) arranged in this data loop ; d) processing the point setting command obtained for the element controller (EC) connected to this first communication unit (SCU1), and in doing so recording a switch-on current for the respective point motor; and e) lifting the block and releasing the staggered point operation to the second communication unit (SCU2) projected according to the staggered point operation, after falling below a predefinable switch-on current; f) processing the point setting command obtained for the element controller (EC) connected to this second communication unit (SCU2), and in doing so recording a switch-on current for the respective point motor; and g) repeating steps e) and f) until the last point setting command output for the communication units (SCU5) arranged in this data loop has also been processed by the staggered releasing of the projected staggered point operation. <EOS>