European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS)

The European Train Control System (ETCS) is being developed within the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) to provide a new generation of train control and signalling. This includes automatic train protection (ATP) by continuously supervising train speed and braking.

ERTMS uses the Global System for Mobile communications – Railways (GSM-R) radio system for signalling data transmission.

Trains use data to calculate safe speeds. ERTMS will intervene if the train overspeeds to bring it back to safe levels. The system stops a train safely to prevent a train from exceeding its movement authority.

The ERTMS technology has different levels of capacity and performance. All levels of ERTMS include ATP.  Current UK plans are to introduce a level 2 system.

Why introduce ERTMS?

All countries in the European Union are working together to improve railways throughout Europe. One aim is to allow ERTMS fitted trains from one member state to operate on other member states’ ERTMS fitted lines. This aligns itself with interoperability where trains from member states are able to operate on other Members’ railway systems. This 'interoperability' will eventually create a single European market for rail products.

ERTMS is a complex, modern train control system which will eventually, when the Euro Interlocking Project is completed, will enable one common signalling system across Europe. This brings with it benefits of improved efficiency of operation as well as safety.

What is happening on ERTMS in the UK?

For the UK, ERTMS (Level 2) has the potential to provide improvements in the capacity of the rail network and provide the safety benefit of ATP. However, it will take many years to develop and apply the technology. The Strategic Rail Authority led the rail industry’s work until 2005, when responsibility passed to Department for Transport (DfT) and Network Rail. We are monitoring progress.

In 2001, after the Southall and Ladbroke Grove accidents, the Uff/Cullen public inquiry recommended that regulations should require ERTMS installation on UK high speed lines by 2010. However, this timescale is not viable because of the time required to develop the technology.

In response, the rail industry’s ERTMS Programme Team (EPT) produced three reports between April 2002 and June 2005. The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) validated this approach in independent review. In early 2003, HSC’s findings were published together with their advice to Government.

Oversight responsibility has now been passed to us. We accept that the current state of the technology means that at the moment further use of health and safety law to mandate ERTMS is not appropriate, though regulation remains an option for future.

Network Rail recently made a business case for the application of ERTMS on the UK Network. The plan will outline their proposals for the deployment of ERTMS over the coming decades.

Following acceptance in principle of the plan, a report will be issued to DfT prior to submission to the European Commission later in 2007.

Work has started on the Cambrian ERTMS Early Development Scheme in the UK, which is scheduled for completion in March 2009. We will assess the Cambrian ERTMS scheme with a view to authorisation under the Interoperability Regulations 2006.

Last updated: 18 February 2008

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