The European Train Control System (ETCS) is the train control system of the future. It standardizes cross-border rail traffic in Europe and uses computer-aided technology to increase the capacity of the existing infrastructure. For example, cost- and time-critical locomotive changes at international borders will become superfluous, which will significantly speed up both passenger and freight transport and reduce operating costs in the long term.

Due to the high demand, the revised 2nd edition of the book "ETCS in Germany" by Prof. Dr. Jochen Trinkauf, Dr. Ulrich Maschek and Dr. Richard Kahl will be published on this topic on 29 August 2024. The authors will also be presenting their publication at this year's InnoTrans in Berlin. The book provides a comprehensive insight into the European specifications of ETCS and how it can be integrated into the German railroad infrastructure with its special operational features. Planning for the use of ETCS on German lines is also discussed. The work is rounded off with a look into the future and potential developments of the system.

What is ETCS?

ETCS is currently available in three equipment levels.

Level 1 is the simplest level. The train control acts directly at the signal, which corresponds to the "point-based train control" (PZB) used in Germany.

Level 2 is a form of ETCS in which signals along the track are replaced by virtual signals. The train and system communicate in both directions via GSM-R and the train driver receives all information, such as speed restrictions or blocked sections of track, in advance. In Germany, this system is already being used on the newer high-speed lines and is to be used throughout the country in the future.

ETCS Level 3 is currently still under development and aims to optimize Level 2. Positioning is to take place on the train itself and determine the distance to the train in front, creating a "moving block". This will allow trains to travel at shorter distances from each other.