Overview
The basic aim for the ERTMS REGIONAL concept is to enable cost saving solutions for signalling on regional and local lines when renewing or introducing signalling equipment on such lines. The ERTMS REGIONAL concept is a trackside development of specifications and systems based on the interoperable and standardised communication with the rolling stock over the air gap specified and referred to in the CCS TSI specifications. Interoperability with the ERTMS on-board equipment is thereby ensured and countries who would like to use the rolling stock on TEN lines as well as on Regional lines can operate this way.
The check of train completeness can be solved more easily on regional lines than on main lines. Project allows significant cost reductions because traditional means for train localisation in the track are no more necessary. The introduction of theGSM-Rcommunication with object controllers in the infrastructure (points, level crossing etc.) can reduce the amount of cables. Power supply to point machines is still needed.
Prepare a typical application scenario for an introduction of the ERTMS REGIONAL concept, which facilitates the introduction of remote controlled functionality based on one or two dispatchers per line.
The need for train operation with mixed rolling stock on the TEN lines as well as on the national conventional main- and secondary lines has been underlined by the rail administrations in their answers on a questionnaire issued by ERTMS REGIONAL project.
Funding
Results
The key features for ERTMSREGIONAL are as follows:
- Onboard standard Eurocab and air gap Eurobalise and GSM-R;
- On board permanent check of train completeness by operational rules or by a technical device;
- Trackside train detection devices;
- No lineside signals.
Innovation aspects
The more traction units are equipped with ERTMS on board systems, the more the railways wish to use same concept on all their lines. However, the trackside equipment standard of the main lines (especially train detection systems) is too expensive and even economically not feasible for the secondary lines. Using the same on board system as on main lines, ERTMSREGIONAL provides a solution which allows a significant reduction of trackside investments for those lines. Over and above, this approach also allows a smooth changeover from secondary lines to main lines as it is only a level change within the same system (for example secondary lines connected to main line stations).
Other results
The key points for the cost savings are as follows:
- Staff reduction in stations;
- Less trackside equipment (e.g. no complete radio coverage);
- No lineside signals;
- No traditional interlocking, integrated Interlocking/RBC/TMS with one data model;
- Minimising cables by controlling elements via radio;
- Track circuits and axle counters only for special locations;
- Fall-back by Rules and Regulations;
- Safety approach by considering a tolerable hazard rate.
Readiness
ERTMSREGIONAL is basically a trackside development by means of a centralised control, using theGSM-Rsystem to operate the relevant objects (points, level crossings, key locks, shunting areas etc.) in the infrastructure. In the centre TCC(Traffic Control Centre) the RBC (Radio Block Centre), CTC (Centralised Traffic Control) and the interlocking functions are integrated. A calculation has shown thatERTMSREGIONAL could allow cost savings in the range of 20 – 35 % for the operation of regional lines compared to the existing signalling equipment.