European Rail Traffic management system ERTMS

FACT SHEET NO.: Cat-No.7 / Subcat-No.7.4-3

7. Research and innovation

7.4 Framework: transport safety

European Rail Traffic management system ERTMS

More than 20 (national) signalling and speed control system in rail operation existed throughout Europe in the past. These technical barriers should be removed by the ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System), which aims to increase the competitiveness and dynamism of the rail sector. Further, it aims at promoting the integration of rail freight and passenger market. The ERTMS aims to harmonise the signalling and speed control system throughout the EU rail transport infrastructure.
The ERMTS system consists of two core components:
1. GSM-R (Global System for Mobiles - Railway): This component is based on standard GSM but using various frequencies specific for rail as well as certain advanced functions. It is a radio system used for exchanging voice and data information between the track and the train.
2. ETCS (European Train Control System):The European Train Control System makes it possible not only to transmit permitted speed information to the train driver, but also constantlyto monitor the driver’s compliance with these instructions. The ETCS consists of two modules, one trackside and the other on board. The trackside module transmits information which enables the on-board computer to calculate, at any given moment, the maximum permitted speed.
The on-board computer slows down the train automatically if this speed is exceeded. The ETCS guarantees a common standard that enables trains to cross national borders and enhances safety.
There are key prerequisites for a successful implementation of ERTMS, which are: the specifications needed to be widely accepted and applied, the establishment of an central managementa and the strict compatibility of the system. [EE]
There exist three levels of the ETCS system: Level 1 contains the most "simple" information exchange system, which transmits information from radiobeacons along the track to the train driver regarding maximum speed. In Level 2 the information for trains is transmitted by GSM-R, the position is still detected by track.
The lineside signals are not longer neccessary, which allows a reduction of investments and maintenance costs. At level 3 the trains are able to submit their position and speed themselves which allows an optimisation of capacity and further reduction of track equipment.

- Rotterdam - Genova rail freight corridor [4]
- Germany: Berlin – Jüterbog –Halle/Leipzig [9]
- UK: Cambrian Coast Line, a single track line of 215km, between Shrewsbury (Sutton Bridge Junction), Aberystwyth and Pwllheli in Wales. [10]

- Increase rail safety by an effective signalling system with automatic train speed control
- Ensure the technical interoperability of rail system throughout Europe
- Increase competitiveness and dynamism of the rail sector
- Stimulate the European rail equipment market
- Optimisation of distance between running trains and capacity increase
- RAMS: Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, Safety

ERTMS will facilitate an increase in the market share of European rail transport. This in turn is expected to create a more competitive market of suppliers, and to reduce the costs of railways in the long term. [3] More international (rail) freight services.

The capacity of rail infrastructure will increase due to less distances between trains. Capacity gains in terms of infrastructure usage. [1]

Capacity gain in terms of infrastructure use [1]

Circulation of freight trains will be smoother: less variations in speed and indirectly affected by modal shift.

[1] European Commission (2005): Communication from the Commission to the European parliament and the council on the deployment of the European rail signalling system ERTMS/ETCS. COM(2005)298 final
[2] European Commission (2005): The ERTMS in 10 questions. MEMO/05/235, Brussels
[3] European Commission (2006): ERTMS – Delivering flexible and reliable rail traffic. - A major industrial project for Europe. Brussels 2006
[4] Obrenovic et al. (2006); European Transport Conference: Proceedings of the ETC; Migration of the European Train control system (ETCS) and the impacts on the international transport markets
[5] de Tilière; Interoperability in Europe: Case of the ERTMS development in the new European rail market; Association for European Transport 2004
[6] International Union of railways - UIC (2003): Implementing the European Train Control System ETCS: Opportunities for European Rail Corridors;
[7] Institution of railway signal engineers (IRSE) (2003): Proceedings 2002/2003
[8] Ministry of transport, public works and water management of the Netherlands (2010): Social Cost Benefit Analysis of implementation strategies for ERTMS in the Netherlands
[9] European Commission (2009): Nationaler Umsetzungsplan für die TSI Zugsteuerung, Zugsicherung und Signalgebung des konventionellen transeuropäischen Eisenbahnsystems im Rahmen der Richtlinie 2001/16/EG in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland".
[10] Department for Transport (2007): ERTMS National Implementation Plan.