The European Train Control System (ETCS) is a cutting-edge train control system that has been widely adopted across Europe. It aims to enhance safety, reliability, punctuality, and traffic capacity. Let’s explore its key components:
- Signalling Layers:
- Application Levels:
- ETCS has five application levels (0 to 4) that define the level of protection provided to trains.
- Level 0: Limited monitoring of maximum speed.
- Level 1: Locomotives equipped with Onboard Equipment (OBE) and lineside signals.
- Level 2: Requires GSM-R, no mandatory lineside signals.
- Level 3: Moving block instead of fixed block.
- Level STM: Interfaces with existing national protection systems.
- Lineside Equipment:
- Balises: Passive devices placed trackside that transmit information to the Onboard Equipment (OBE).
- Line-side Electronic Unit (LEU): Interfaces between lineside signals and balises.
- Types of Balises: Switchable, Infill, Fixed, and Repositioning balises.
- Implementation in India:
- India is adopting ETCS for the Delhi-Meerut regional rapid line, making it the first in the country to use this hybrid level 3 signalling system.
- The move aims to improve safety and align with global standards.
- ETCS consists of several layers, including
- Automatic Train Protection System, Global System for Mobile Communications – Rail (GSM-R), European Traffic Management Layer (ETML), and European Operating Rules (EOR).
- ETCS doesn’t replace existing signalling but provides an additional layer of protection.
