In May 2001 a national programme was created for the application of the
European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) in Great Britain. This programme is cross-industry and now led by Network Rail; RSSB is a partner in this programme.
RSSB provides operations and engineering expertise to develop the system and operational design of ERTMS for application in Great Britain in accordance with the specifications developed by the European Railway Agency. This leads to the development of standards and operational rules for ERTMS deployment in Great Britain.
The first application of ERTMS in service in Great Britain is the Cambrian Line in Wales, operating from just outside Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli. Through engagement in the national programme, RSSB has supported this application by developing standards, operational rules (including the Rule Book – see below) and other documentation, such as user procedures.
ERTMS Standards
The Railway Group Standards Catalogue now includes several standards and guidance notes applicable to ERTMS.
ERTMS Rule Book modules
Rule Book modules for ERTMS lines were issued in October 2009 and February 2010 and are available on http://www.rgsonline.co.uk/Rule_Book/. To date, these have only been used on the Cambrian Line.
Following the full commissioning of the Cambrian Line in March 2011, amendments to the Rule Book modules have been published in the Network Rail Western Route ERTMS Periodic Operating Notice (PON) supplement. For the benefit of those not in receipt of this document, the source document produced by RSSB for the rule amendments published in the PON is available here.
For further information on RSSB’s involvement please contact Tom Lee on 020 3142 5509.
Further information is also available from Network Rail (GB helpline number 08457 114141).
ERTMS National Values - D_NVROLL
D_NVROLL specifies the distance to be used in roll away protection, reverse movement protection and standstill supervision before the system demands a brake application.
D_NVROLL is a trackside parameter which is used to configure the behaviour of the onboard. It is uploaded to the train when the train transitions into a new area, or at startup. Prior to this the train retains its previous set of national values. A default value for D_NVROLL is defined, but this is only used if no other value has ever been uploaded.
This document has been produced by RSSB on behalf the National ERTMS Programme to define one of the nationally defined values (D_NVROLL).
ERTMS National Values – D_NVROLL