Overview
The project supports the UIC strategy of building and strengthening the interoperability in Europe.
The European Train Control System which at level 2 can replace lineside signalling, and should provide a full automatic train protection including speed supervision. In order to achieve these goals, there is a need of a data service, which will help to overcome future restrictions especially in dense areas. GSM-R is a radio system, thus it is depending on frequencies.
There are in this moment 2 issues on this item
1) Adequate of frequency band with;
2) Interferences, mainly from telecom public operators, which can block the cab radio.
A GSMR should assess the readiness of IP-based solution, (GPRS for instance) to be use for ETCS at level 2 to overcome future restrictions especially in dense areas.
Following the tests results which are arranged to be performed in the first part of 2008 in Italy and Sweden, the work on defining the new radio layer will be continued. The work on the European Test Lab preconditions, together with GSM-R Industry Group will continue. A-GSM-R should also gather and manage the frequency needs for railways. A-GSM-R should act as an interface between Railways and European Frequency Authorities and as the centre of competence in the field of railway telecommunications.