ETCS for Engineers

European Train Control System (ETCS) is now a well-established standard manufactured by multiple suppliers and installed widely on trains and tracks in Europe and around the world. High level information about ETCS is readily available in magazine articles and websites, and the detailed specifications are also publicly available from the European Agency for Railways (ERA). Our aim with this book is to fill the gap between these, explaining the background and technical detail in a manner that will be understandable to an engineer who is new to ETCS. The main topics of the book are: Introduction to ETCS, its history, stakeholders, governance, benefits Concepts and functionality, including levels, modes, operational scenarios Constituents and interfaces, on the track and on the train Deployment in projects, testing, certification, training and entry into service Readers of this book will include: Students and early career professionals, including those studying for qualifications such as the IRSE Advanced Diploma in Railway Control Engineering and the Certificate in Railway Control Engineering Fundamentals Signal engineers encountering ETCS is a project for the first time Engineers working in specific ETCS roles who need a wider understanding of the system Railway operations staff involved with changes to operational rules and training for the deployment of ETCS Railway managers and consultants interested in the opportunities and challenges that ETCS can bring to their strategies for railway development or renewals This book has been prepared by a working group of the Institution of Railway Signal Engineering (IRSE) drawing on experience from a wide range of engineers who have worked for railways and suppliers as the system has been developed. The IRSE is the professional institution for all those engaged in railway signalling and telecommunications, train control, traffic management and allied professionals, with 5,000 members around the world. Railway signalling is responsible for managing the safe flow of train traffic, and modern systems are based on digital track to train communications. Implementing this technology on the complex European railway network has required the development of a standard interoperable solution that is applicable to all types of railway traffic and allows trains to operate across national borders. Bonus for free: The e-book-PDF of this book is available upon registration. Users of devices with a PDF reader will have electronic access to all content through a search function.