ERTMS - European Rail Traffic Management System
The ERTMS National Implementation Plan has been submitted to the European Commission to comply with a series of EU railway directives and commits the UK to installing the next-generation system on 72% of the National Rail network between now and 2038.
ERTMS is currently being trialled on the Cambrian Line in Wales but once adopted on busier routes would have the potential to increase line capacity for a relatively modest investment in infrastructure. The technology would replace conventional trackside signals with high-tech beacons which would communicate with in-cab equipment, allowing trains to safely travel more closely together and potentially at higher speeds.
Under the government’s rail strategy ,new trains will be ordered with ERTMS capability and lineside signaling infrastructure will by upgraded to work with the new ERTMS technology when renewals are due.
New rolling stock, including the recently approved Thameslink Programme fleet, Crossrail trains and Intercity Express carriages will be fitted with ERTMS equipment. The Brighton Main Line is scheduled to carry the first ERTMS-ready trains from 2011 although trackside infrastructure is not due to be ready until 2021 at the earliest.
The first major infrastructure implementation of ERTMS is due to start in 2017 on the Great Western route, although the Midland Main Line is expected to be the first inter-city route to fully implement ERTMS, some time between 2021 and 2023. The Department for Transport expects the majority of ERTMS work on the Great Western and East Coast Main Lines to be complete by 2025, although infrastructure work may drag on for another decade.
UK ERTMS trial in Wales enters into service 28 Oct 10
UK rail operator Network Rail have now commenced the country's first trial of the new European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) on the Cambrian line in Wales.
The ERTMS level 2 system will replace the existing Radio Electronic Token Block signalling system on the 215km Cambrian route from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli.
The trial, on Arriva Trains Wales' ERTMS-fitted class 158 passenger train fleet, has been carried out along with Ansaldo STS UK. The system includes a new signalling control centre built at Machynlleth, with two new digitised signalling panels equipped with ERTMS
The first phase of ERTMS was commissionind into service 0740hrs 24 October 2010 and entered full passesnger service 0626hrs 28 October 2010.
Infrastructure delivery partner Eldin have been responsible for the construction and installation of all lineside equipment, equipment rooms and Signalling Control Centre.
ERTMS Media Articles
If you are interested in learning more about ERTMS and in particular Eldin's work on the Cambrian line please refer to the links below.
- BBC News report about Eldin's work with ERTMS on the Cambrian line in Wales
- European Railway Review 'ERTMS Gets Tested in Wales' article
- The Rail Engineer 'Cambrian Trial Signals New Era' article
Railway Engineers Forum Oct 07 by Clive Kessell
"There is little doubt that ERTMS will become the natural choice for future train control and communications system in many other parts of the world as well as Europe. The manufacturers are geared up to producing the equipment and there may be little alternative choice if a cab signalling system with full ATP is required"
