A game changer for the European Railway Traffic Management System

A Work Plan for the European Railway Traffic Management System (ERTMS), published by the European Commission in May this year, lists satellite positioning as one of the game changing technologies underpinning future evolutions of the system and a key element to be included in future Technological Specifications for Interoperability (TSI). The ERTMS is a major industrial project that aims to make rail transport in Europe safer and more competitive. As a safety system, the ERTMS enforces train compliance with speed restrictions and signalling and consists of equipment installed both on trains and along the railway tracks. According to the latest Work Plan, the ERTMS will become the backbone of railway digitalisation in Europe, allowing for the introduction of new technologies, including but not limited to automatic train operation, satellite positioning and other technologies capable of optimising rail performance and capacity. www.gsa.europa.eu