ERTMS Regional
Encyclopedia
ERTMS Regional is a simplified and low-cost variant of the European Rail Traffic Management System
suitable for train control on lines with low traffic volumes. It is intended to reduce the amount of lineside and equipment required, thus reducing costs, increasing reliability and improving safety for track workers.
organization.
Standardization reached a point in 2009 that the Swedish Rail Administration ordered the equipping of a pilot railway track on the Västerdalbanan between Malung
and Repbäcken
in Sweden. It has been operational since 2010. ERTMS Regional is also under consideration for use in Denmark
.
Unlike ETCS level 3 the ERTMS Regional scheme is not supposed to operate with moving blocks. Instead it uses radio-based interlocking to lower the amount of track-release signalling devices.
The ERTMS Regional standard explicitly states that the track should not be equipped with any other automatic train protection system. Only the provisions of ERTMS Regional should be used for train protection / collision avoidance.
The central element of ERTMS Regional is the specification on the Train Control Center (TCC). This computer system takes over the functionality of Interlocking
, ETCS Radio Block Center (RBC) as well as automatic planning and track management.
All communication between ERTMS Regional track equipment and the trains is done with GSM-R
. Track-side elements like switches
, derailers, level crossing
s, block signals, moveable bridge
s are equipped with an Object Controller OC that connects directly to the Train Control Center.
European Rail Traffic Management System
The European Rail Traffic Management System 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....
suitable for train control on lines with low traffic volumes. It is intended to reduce the amount of lineside and equipment required, thus reducing costs, increasing reliability and improving safety for track workers.
History
The ERTMS Regional project was started at the end of the 1990s under the name ETCS LC (Low Cost). In recent years, its development was pushed by the Swedish Rail Administration in cooperation with the UICInternational Union of Railways
The UIC , or International Union of Railways, is an international rail transport industry body.- Brief history :The railways of Europe originated as separate concerns. There were many border changes after World War I and the Treaty of Versailles. Colonial railways were the responsibility of the...
organization.
Standardization reached a point in 2009 that the Swedish Rail Administration ordered the equipping of a pilot railway track on the Västerdalbanan between Malung
Malung
Malung is a locality and the seat of Malung-Sälen Municipality, Dalarna County, Sweden, with 5,146 inhabitants in 2005.-Overview:Malung is home to Malungs Folkhögskola, a few kilometers outside downtown. Specialized courses include folk music, dance, mountaineering and health.-External links:*...
and Repbäcken
Repbäcken
Repbäcken is a locality situated in Borlänge Municipality, Dalarna County, Sweden with 230 inhabitants in 2005....
in Sweden. It has been operational since 2010. ERTMS Regional is also under consideration for use in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
.
Characteristics
The ERTMS Regional standard does only describe the way-side signals that is modeled to be compatible with trains equipped with ETCS level 3 train control systems. There is also an optional variant to allow trains with ETCS level 2 train control systems to access ERTMS Regional tracks.Unlike ETCS level 3 the ERTMS Regional scheme is not supposed to operate with moving blocks. Instead it uses radio-based interlocking to lower the amount of track-release signalling devices.
The ERTMS Regional standard explicitly states that the track should not be equipped with any other automatic train protection system. Only the provisions of ERTMS Regional should be used for train protection / collision avoidance.
The central element of ERTMS Regional is the specification on the Train Control Center (TCC). This computer system takes over the functionality of Interlocking
Interlocking
In railway signalling, an interlocking is an arrangement of signal apparatus that prevents conflicting movements through an arrangement of tracks such as junctions or crossings. The signalling appliances and tracks are sometimes collectively referred to as an interlocking plant...
, ETCS Radio Block Center (RBC) as well as automatic planning and track management.
All communication between ERTMS Regional track equipment and the trains is done with GSM-R
GSM-R
GSM-R, Global System for Mobile Communications - Railway or GSM-Railway is an international wireless communications standard for railway communication and applications. A sub-system of European Rail Traffic Management System , it is used for communication between train and railway regulation...
. Track-side elements like switches
Railroad switch
A railroad switch, turnout or [set of] points is a mechanical installation enabling railway trains to be guided from one track to another at a railway junction....
, derailers, level crossing
Level crossing
A level crossing occurs where a railway line is intersected by a road or path onone level, without recourse to a bridge or tunnel. It is a type of at-grade intersection. The term also applies when a light rail line with separate right-of-way or reserved track crosses a road in the same fashion...
s, block signals, moveable bridge
Moveable bridge
A moveable bridge is a bridge that moves to allow passage for boats or barges. An advantage of making bridges movable include lower price, due to the absence of high piers and long approaches. The principal disadvantage is that the traffic on the bridge must be halted when it is opened for passages...
s are equipped with an Object Controller OC that connects directly to the Train Control Center.