R&D programme
Research brief
Viability of European Train Control
System limited supervision for GB
application
Background
European Train Control System (ETCS) is a train control, signalling and
train protection system currently being deployed across Europe. It has
been developed with the primary aim of providing interoperability
between national rail networks and creating open market places for
railways and railway-related products.
ETCS has numerous configurations, a variety of methods of
implementation, and a number of modes of operation.
One of these modes is Limited Supervision (LS), which can offer a rail
network some of the safety features of ETCS, but at a much lower cost than
a typical, 'fully equipped' ETCS Full Supervision (FS) implementation. ETCS
LS has been successfully trialled in Germany and Switzerland as a direct
replacement of their national train protection systems, using the ETCS
platform.
For application in GB, LS mode can provide enhanced train protection
compared to the existing AWS/TPWS train protection systems. It also has
the potential to significantly reduce the capital expenditure of
implementing ETCS.
Version 4 of the GB European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS)
cab installation programme plans for a substantial proportion of traction
units to be fitted with the ETCS system by 2020, before much of the ETCS
trackside infrastructure will be prepared. In this case, LS mode may present
an opportunity to utilise the functionality of the ETCS on-board equipment
prior to ETCS Level 2 being fully implemented on all the main GB rail
corridors. This would deliver some early benefits from the significant
investment made.
R&D programme: Research brief T1043 - June 2015
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Aims
Carried out on behalf of the Vehicle/Train Control and Communications
System Interface Committee, this research investigated the functionality
of ETCS LS mode from a system viewpoint and explored plausible
applications for ETCS LS mode on the GB railway. The research then
considered the possible business and safety benefits ETCS LS mode can
bring, leading to recommendations as to whether ETCS LS mode is worthy
of further investigation.
Findings
The research has found that despite the comparatively low cost, ETCS LS
mode cannot justifiably be implemented solely on the grounds of safety
enhancement. If ETCS LS mode was to be fitted alongside existing legacy
systems to capitalise on the functionality of the ETCS fitted trains, it is
likely that there would be an improvement in safety, but at a substantial
cost, owing to the additional maintenance workload incurred by fitting a
supplementary protection system.
The research therefore suggests that it is unlikely that the GB railway
would benefit from the generic fitment of ETCS LS mode infrastructure on
lines where the existing legacy systems are not life expired. Nor will ETCS
LS mode fitment be appropriate on lines where the functionality provided
by a Level 2 system offers a much greater performance enhancement, and
therefore merits the much higher costs associated with ETCS Level 2.
However, the research does identify that there could be a small number of
discrete cases where the potential for implementing ETCS LS mode might
be worthy of consideration for the GB railway. These are:
• ETCS LS mode could replace legacy train protection systems on lines where
it is life expired, provided that only ETCS trains operate on that line, and
that the line does not merit full Level 2 ETCS FS mode functionality
• There are lines currently planned for ETCS Level 2 trackside infrastructure,
where the full Level 2 functionality may not be justified
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R&D programme: Research brief T1043 - June 2015
• There are safety benefits and risk reductions achievable through the
provision of ETCS Level 1 LS that would justify the capital expenditure and
life cycle costs. To apply the benefits of this functionality, further
investigation is needed to identify those locations that meet the qualifying
criteria
Deliverables
The deliverable from this research is a high-level summary report detailing
the findings. This is intended to be suitable to support further analysis into
the viability of ETCS LS for GB application, if this is needed by the Vehicle
Train Control and Communications System Interface Committee or other
parties in industry. The deliverables from this research are published on
www.SPARKRAIL.org
Methodology
The technical analysis for this research was prepared from an in-depth
study of the System Requirement Specification Maintenance Release 1
and other supporting documents specifying the ERTMS.
To investigate the potential applications of LS mode within GB and the
benefits it may bring, a stakeholder engagement workshop was held in
October 2014. This was attended by 34 stakeholders from various
disciplines across the rail industry.
The Swiss rail provider SBB, which is implementing ETCS LS mode to its
entire network, was also consulted to gain its perspective on ETCS LS mode.
Next Steps
The Vehicle Train Control and Communications System Interface
Committee believes that this research has provided enough information
on:
• the lack of a case for a wide fitment of ETCS LS mode
• a small number of scenarios where implementing ETCS LS mode might be
worthy of consideration for the GB railway
R&D programme: Research brief T1043 - June 2015
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Therefore no further research is required and, if a specific location is found
where ETCS LS is thought to be a solution of interest, then the output of
this research and the guidance provided could be used to help take this
forwards.
Contact
For more information please contact:
Professional Lead - Engineering R&D
R&D Programme
RSSB
enquirydesk@rssb.co.uk
Floor 4, The Helicon
1 South Place
London
EC2M 2RB
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R&D programme: Research brief T1043 - June 2015