European Rail Traffic Management System
|
| Formation |
1998/1999 |
| Website |
ertms.com |
The European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) is an initiative backed by the European Union to enhance cross-border interoperability and signalling procurement by creating a single Europe-wide standard for train control and command systems.
The two main components of ERTMS are the European Train Control System (ETCS), a standard for in-cab train control, and GSM-R, the GSM mobile communications standard for railway operations.[1] The equipment can further be subdivided between on-board and infrastructure equipment.
Companies
Companies developing ERTMS systems include UNIFE/UNISIG members Alstom, Thales, Invensys Rail Group, Ansaldo STS, Siemens Mobility, Bombardier Transportation and Eliop-Seinalia. Additionally, there are at least two new emerging suppliers, Czech and Japanese.
Timeline
2004
- December: Zaragoza - Huesca High Speed line in Spain opens with ERTMS Level 1.[2]
2005
2006
- February: ERTMS-2 is extended to the new Turin–Milan high-speed line (open between Turin and Novara) and the Mattstetten–Rothrist line in Switzerland.
- October: Network Rail announced that ERTMS would be operational on the Cambrian Line in December 2008 and would cost £59million.
2007
2008
- On the Cambrian Line Network Rail install ERTMS In-Cab ETCS (European Train Control System) level 2, specification 2.3.0d This level does not require conventional fixed signals - existing signals and RETB boards will be removed. Additionally, the lineside speed signs will be redundant - drivers are given the appropriate maximum speed on the cab display. The main supplier is Ansaldo STS. Interfleet are performing design and installation under contract to ASTS for the passenger stock. 24 Class 158 units are being fitted as well as three Class 97/3 locomotives (formerly Classified as Class 37 and prior to that as the English Electric Type 3) to be used for piloting services. The Class 97/3 design and installation was provided by Transys Projects Limited of Birmingham England for Ansaldo STS. Commissioning will occur in 2010.
2009
- September: HSL-Zuid/HSL 4 opened to commercial traffic. It is a new 125-km long high-speed line between the Netherlands and Belgium that uses ERTMS Level 2 with a fallback option to ERTMS Level 1 (although restricted to 160 km/h in the Netherlands).
- Autumn/Winter: opening of HS lines Novara-Milano and Bologna–Florence, thus completing the whole HS line Turin-Naples.[4]
2010
- Botniabanan in northern Sweden started operation with ERTMS in August.[6]
- Start of operation of Cambrian Early Deployment Scheme (EDS) comprising 24 ERTMS fitted Class 158 units and 3 Class 97/3 locomotives.[7]
- Start of the national roll-out of ERTMS in the United Kingdom.[8]
- The Cambrian ERTMS – Pwllheli to Harlech Rehearsal commenced on 13 February 2010 and successfully finished on 18 February 2010. The driver familiarisation and practical handling stage of the Rehearsal has provided an excellent opportunity to monitor the use of GSM-R voice in operation on this route. The first train departed Pwllheli at 0853hrs in ERTMS Level 2 Operation with GSM-R voice being used as the only means of communication between the driver and the signaller.
- New Zealand begins rolling out ERTMS together with new solid state interlocking for electrification in Auckland[9] together with new resignalling in for electrification.
- On Västerdalsbanan in mid Sweden a demonstration run was made using ERTMS Regional, Level 3, in November.
- Libya to install ERTMS [10]
- September - new ERTMS logo adopted.
In July 2009, the European Commission announced that ETCS is now mandatory for all EU funded projects which include new or upgraded signalling and GSM-R is required when radio communications are upgraded.[11]
- October: The Cambrian ERTMS – Pwllheli to Harlech commissioned for passenger carrying service under ERTMS level 2 without lineside signals.
2011
- March 2011: Full commissioning of Cambrian Line (Sutton Bridge Junction-Aberystwyth or Pwllheli) in Wales under ERTMS level 2 without lineside signals.[12]
- October,ERTMS level 2 adopted in Madrid-Barcelona high speed line.AVE Trains up to 350 km/h.
ERTMS implementation strategies
Various railway signalling roll out strategies can be used for deployment of the European Rail Traffic Management System. With the introduction of ERTMS the infrastructure manager has to decide whether a line will be equipped only with ERTMS or whether a mixed signalling system is the better solution. Currently, both 'clean' and mixed systems are being deployed in Europe and around the world[13].
'Clean' ERTMS operation
Many new ERTMS lines in Europe are being newly created and then it may often be preferred to implement ERMTS Level 1 or Level 2 only. With this implementation strategy the wayside signalling cost is kept to a minimum, but the vehicle fleet that operates on this lines will need to all be equipped with ERTMS onboard to allow operation. Examples of 'clean' ERTMS operation include HSL-Zuid in the Netherlands among others.
Mixed operation
Mixed operation is a strategy where the wayside signalling is equipped with both ERTMS and a conventional system. Often the conventional system is the legacy system used during the signalling upgrade program. The main purpose of introducing a mixed operation (mixed signalling system) are:
- For financial and operational reasons, it is impossible to install ERTMS for the complete network in a short period.
- Not every train is equipped to run on ERTMS lines and ERTMS-equipped trains cannot run only on new lines.
- Having a fall-back solution minimizes the risk to the operation.
With mixed operation it is possible to run a line with both conventional and ERTMS trains and to use the advantages of ERTMS technology for the trains so equipped (e.g. higher speed or more trains on the line) but with the benefit that it is not necessary to equip the whole train fleet with ERTMS simultaneously. Examples of ERTMS in mixed operation include HSL 3 in Belgium where ERTMS is mixed with national ATP system or High-Speed Line Cordoba-Malaga in Spain[14] where ERTMS is mixed with STM.
Operational principle of ERTMS in mixed operation: STM and ERTMS Level 2
The principle of mixed level signalling is based on simple principles using bi-directional data exchange between the radio block centre and the interlocking systems. The operator sets a route and does not need to know if the route will be used for a Level STM (LSTM) only or a Level 2-equipped train. A route is locked based on the national principles by the interlocking system and the RBC is informed about the routes set. The RBC checks whether it is possible to allocate a train to the route and then informs the interlocking system that a train is allocated to the route. The interlocking system shows the ERTMS white bar aspect to all signals along the route including the signal at the end of the route and sends no ATB-EG code to the track. The RBC sends a movement authority to the train if a Level 2 train is allocated to the route. Otherwise the signal shows the optical proceed aspect and the related ATB-EG code is sent to the track. As soon as a Level 2 train reports itself in rear of a route currently assigned for optical authorisation (e.g. after start of mission procedure or when the driver changes level from LSTM to Level 2), the optical authorisation is automatically upgraded to a Level 2 movement authority. Consequently, a Level 2 movement authority is downgraded to an optical authorisation after a predefined time-out if the driver closes the cab or a fault is detected that restricts the movement authority (e.g. if the GSM-R radio coverage is unavailable.)
Logo
In September 2010, a logo was adopted for ERTMS.[15]
See also
References
- ^ 'ERTMS in 10 questions,' http://ec.europa.eu/transport/rail/interoperability/ertms/doc/ertms_10_questions_en.pdf
- ^ "ERTMS Level 1: Trackside on the Zaragoza-Huesca project". Alstom.com. September 2004. http://www.webmag.transport.alstom.com/eMag/externe/segment/sig/09_04/ertms/1/333.asp. Retrieved 2008-07-04.
- ^ Chris Jackson (2007-11-15). "ERTMS: the view from the cab". Railway Gazette International. http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/ertms-the-view-from-the-cab.html.
- ^ [1]
- ^ "Invensys Rail Group scoops New Zealand ERTMS signalling contract", 27 April 2009
- ^ "Massive three-day celebration inaugurates the Bothnia Line". Botniabanan. 9 September 2010. http://www.botniabanan.se/templates/BotniaPressmessage.aspx?id=4771.
- ^ "PIONEERING RAIL TECHNOLOGY GETS TESTED IN WALES". Network Rail. 2010-02-12. http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=5009&NewsAreaID=2.
- ^ "2017 start date for Great Western ERTMS upgrade". National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers. 2007-10-09. http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2007/10/2017_start_date_for_great_west.html.
- ^ "Auckland to install ETCS Level 1". Railway Gazette International. 28 April 2009. http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/auckland-to-install-etcs-level-1.html.
- ^ "Ansaldo to signal Libya". Railways Africa. 20 August 2010. http://www.railwaysafrica.com/blog/2010/08/ansaldo-to-signal-libya/.
- ^ "EC sets out ERTMS deployment deadlines". Railway Gazette International. 31 July 2009. http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view//ec-sets-out-ertms-deployment-deadlines.html.
- ^ "CAMBRIAN LINE ERTMS GETS GO-AHEAD". Rail. 20 Feb 2011. http://www.railmagazine.com/news/default.asp?storyID=24.
- ^ ERTMS deployment map. UNIFE, Retrieved 2011-11-11
- ^ ERTMS Online Newsletter. European Communities, March 2008, Retrieved 2011-12-29
- ^ Railway Gazette International November 2010, p62
External links