In the coming years, freight transportation by rail will increase. More and more often, passengers will opt for the train instead of the plane. The current state of technology is not suited for this growth. In order to grow and remain connected with the rest of Europe, a digital, robust and future-proof signalling and speed control system is required.
From signals along the railway to a digital system
ERTMS is a system that works with wireless communication. It uses wayside beacons in the infrastructure and a radio connection. Each time a train passes a beacon, it reads the specific information of that beacon. The train communicates with the wayside system via a GSM-R radio connection. The train will then obtain permission to drive along the rail section at a certain speed. The driver will receive all necessary information for operating the train on a screen in the cabin. Ultimately, signals along the railways will be superfluous and will disappear.
Safety at all speeds
Railway traffic must be safe. In a train, operating with ERTMS, the driver has a screen in the cabin showing all the information required for operating the train, such as the maximum speed and the braking distance. If a driver does not respond to the instructions in time, the system will intervene. It will then adjust the speed or stop the train, for example. This avoids collisions and derailing.
Higher capacity and reliability
ERTMS allows trains to run at higher speeds than the current system, provided that the infrastructure is suitable for these higher speeds. Railway capacity is increased without requiring the construction of additional infrastructure, as the interval between trains is reduced.
Crossing international borders more easily
Every country has different signalling and speed systems installed. ERTMS ends this diversity by becoming the European standard for railway safety. ERTMS will be implemented in the Netherlands and throughout the whole of Europe, ensuring that all countries have the same signalling and speed control system. This allows trains to cross national borders more easily and faster, which benefits both freight forwarders, train operating companies and passengers.