ERTMS: signals in the cab · Industrial Excitement Labs

Step 1

What is ERTMS?

Read the transcript

For over a century, train drivers have read signals at the side of the track.
Lights by the line tell the driver if the track ahead is clear, and how fast to go.
ERTMS, the European Rail Traffic Management System, moves that information into the cab.
It has two main parts. ETCS, the European Train Control System, works out how far and how fast the train can safely go.
GSM-R, a railway radio network, carries messages between the train and the signalling centre.
Balises, small beacons between the rails, tell the train exactly where it is.
The driver reads it all on one screen. If the train goes too fast, the system applies the brakes.
In Great Britain, ERTMS runs on the Cambrian line in Wales, through the Thameslink core in London, and into Moorgate on the Northern City Line.
Next, explore the driver's screen and find out what each part means.

The video has a voice-over, made with Cartesia, and captions. It runs for about 75 seconds.

Step 2

Explore the driver's screen

Select a numbered point on the screen, or choose one from the list. Each one tells you what it is, what it tells the driver, and why it matters to you.

0 of 8 points opened

Start with point 1

How to use this: Select a number on the screen to find out what that part does.

The screen is an original drawing in the layout from the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) driver manual. The values are for teaching only. It uses kilometres per hour, as the manual does.

Step 3

Check what you know

Five questions. Choose an answer, then check it. You can try again as many times as you like.

1. What does ERTMS move into the cab? Signal information, such as speeds and permission to move The timetable for the whole route Announcements for passengers

2. Which part works out how far and how fast the train can safely go? GSM-R ETCS, the European Train Control System A balise

3. What does a balise do? Carries voice calls to the signalling centre Shows the speed to the driver Tells the train exactly where it is

4. A train goes faster than the permitted speed, and the driver does not slow down. What happens? The system applies the brakes A light by the track turns red Nothing, the screen only gives advice

5. Which of these lines already uses ERTMS? None yet, it is still being tested The Cambrian line in Wales Only high-speed lines outside Great Britain

Step 4

Summary

The European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) moves signal information into the cab.
It has two main parts: the European Train Control System (ETCS), which works out safe speeds and distances, and GSM-R, the railway radio. Balises between the rails tell the train where it is.
The driver's screen shows the speed, the speed limit, the distance to the next target, and what is coming up.
ERTMS is already in use on the Cambrian line, the Thameslink core, and the Northern City Line into Moorgate.

What is ERTMS?

Explore the driver's screen

Start with point 1

Check what you know

Summary

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