The Strategic Rail Authority and Railway Safety today published a cross industry
report on the fitment of the European Rail Traffic Management System ('ERTMS')
in Britain.
For the past year the ERTMS Programme Team ('EPT') has been analysing the various
technical options for introducing the system, which embrace state-of-the-art train
and track technologies. ERTMS enables trains to operate on compatible signalling
systems across European borders ('interoperability'), provides Automatic Train
Protection (ATP) safety systems, and can increase network capacity to enable growth
in passenger numbers.
The fitment of an ERTMS system is required under EU Directives on 'Interoperability'
and is programmed to become standard across all of Europe's mainline networks,
as existing systems are renewed. It was also recommended by Professor Uff and
Lord Cullen in their report on train protection systems, which recognised that
more work was required to determine the programme for fitment.
Commenting, SRA Chairman, Richard Bowker, said:
" Today's report is a major step towards the development of the right ERTMS
system for Britain which will provide the benefits of European compatibility,
an even safer journey for passengers and greater network capacity. Safety is paramount.
ERTMS will be introduced. But the basic systems ready for use now are simply not
good enough and would actually reduce capacity and force people onto our already
crowded roads.
" This will be the biggest technical and operational change seen on the network
for 100 years. It is essential that the system we choose is robust and reliable.
" The Health and Safety Commission has the programme team's very comprehensive
and helpful report to validate. They will now consult on the report, and consider
its implications. Meanwhile, the Project Team will continue with its development
work to enable early deployment of the system as set out in the Strategic Plan."
Rod Muttram, Chief Executive of Railway Safety, and Co-Chairman of the ERTMS Programme
Board, said:
"This report should be seen not as an end in itself but as the first stage
of implementing one of the most important systems in UK Railway history. The team
remains in place, and the development is underway. The aim is to implement the
right system which not only delivers improved safety but also contributes to improved
capacity and reliability, all essential to delivering the better railway we all
want".
The key findings of today's report are:
- ERTMS is specified at 3 Levels, each of which delivers Automatic Train Protection.
- Level 1, whilst it is available for earlier installation, reduces capacity
by over 10% - forcing more travellers to use the road network - and also requires
additional lineside equipment with additional risks to track workers. Level
1 systems that are currently available are therefore not suitable for network-wide
application in Britain. Rapid implementation of Level 1 would reduce transport
safety overall.
- Planning should be based on the higher performance Level 2 system currently
under development, but which is not ready yet. This could increase capacity
by up to10%. Preparatory work has started for the introduction of this ERTMS
system through an SRA-funded Early Deployment Scheme initiative, to support
national implementation from 2008.
- The West Coast Route Modernisation includes a version of ERTMS Level 2 as
part of its detailed fitment programme, with systems due to go operational
by 2005. It is the largest ERTMS programme in Europe.
- Train Protection & Warning System (TPWS) technology, to be operational
on all trains by the end of 2003, is expected to mitigate over 80% of ATP
preventable fatalities and is already delivering real safety benefits on many
routes.
