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ERTMSThe introduction of European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) to the UK rail network is a major challenge because it involves a fundamental change in the way the UK railway operates. In May 2001 a national programme was created, this has developed and now RSSB contributes principally through the Network Rail led, cross-industry, Future Train and Operations Control Systems team and also through engagement with Network Rail in the delivery of specific ERTMS Projects. RSSB provides operations and engineering expertise to develop the system and operational design of ERTMS for application in Great Britain. This design leads to the development of standards, rules and signalling principles to support ERTMS operation. The first national standards and rules are being produced in time to support application on the Cambrian Line in Wales. ERTMS technology will be piloted on the Cambrian Line from just outside Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli. Four partners, Arriva Trains Wales, Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), Network Rail and RSSB are working together with supplier Ansaldo STS to deliver the Cambrian Project to resignal the route and mitigate the risks associated with national ERTMS fitment. Through cross-industry governance arrangements, the industry has determined a positive business case for ERTMS, mainly for application of ERTMS Level 2 without lineside signals. This has been developed into a national implementation plan, which the Department for Transport notified to the European Commission in September 2007. The industry, including RSSB, is now working to deliver this plan. With the agreement of the Industry Standards Co-ordination Committee, changes to Railway Group Standards due to the application of ERTMS are facilitated on behalf of the Standards Committees by the ERTMS Engineering and Operations Standards Review Group. Click below for the Standards Programme for these changes. For further information on RSSB’s involvement please contact Tom Lee on 020 3142 5509. Further general information is also available from the Network Rail National Helpline on 08457 114141. |
