GSM-R

The technology on which existing UK railway voice radio systems are based is reaching life expiry and will become progressively more expensive to maintain. In many areas the asset condition will, because of the dated nature of the technology, become progressively worse as components needed for maintenance become impossible to obtain.

Under European Interoperability Directives 96/48EC and 2001/16/EC, all railway routes in Europe being built, upgraded or renewed are subject to the requirements of the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI). The systems specified include voice and data radio. The Global System for Mobile communications – Railways (GSM-R), as defined in the UIC-developed EIRENE specifications which are referenced in the Control Command and Signalling TSI, has been adopted to fulfil this requirement.

Modernisation of the train communications systems is expected to bring benefits in the safety, quality and efficiency of train operation. GSM-R will make possible a significant improvement in the quality of voice and data communications across the entire network and all applications will be catered for within the one system. The new radio system will continue to provide secure voice communications between trains and signallers, relaying calls via radio base stations built alongside the railway or on suitable vantage points. The new system will also provide a more consistent method of operation than the current legacy systems.

GSM-R – The Operational Concept

The Operational Concept has been produced by RSSB as part of the Industry’s implementation of GSM-R radio communications in GB. It describes the conceptual operation of GSM-R that is to be applied and how the system is envisaged as operating from the point of view of the direct users of GSM-R. This includes roles such as the Driver, Signaller, Route Controller, Shunter and Maintainer. It provides a high-level narrative description and the best view of how the system will operate that is available currently.

In 2006 the Operational Concept was entered into the industry standards process and has since been subject to industry consultation, endorsed by the Traffic Operations and Management Standards Committee and approved by a Multi-Functional Standards Committee. On 14 December 2006 the Operational Concept was endorsed by the RSSB Board for publication as a relevant strategy under the Railway Group Standards Code.

The GSM-R Operational Concept

For further information please contact Steve Roberts on 020 7904 7483.