Engineering news
The government has given the go-ahead for a digital in-cab signalling system to be used on passenger trains for the first time in the UK after the successful completion of trials for the technology in Wales
The trial of Hitachi Rail Europe’s onboard European Train Control System (ETCS) equipment was completed earlier this year on the Cambrian line, which runs from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli. The onboard equipment was tested for three years along with lineside equipment from Ansaldo Signalling and Transportation Systems, which was acquired by Hitachi Rail in February last year.
The first trains to use Hitachi’s ETCS will be the Class 800/801, which enter passenger service next year on the Great Western Mainline, as part of the Intercity Express Programme (IEP).
ETCS, or in-cab signalling, relays information directly to the train via a digital radio instead of by lineside signals. It is a key part of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), a pan-European railway control system being introduced in the UK. ETCS is the train control element of ERTMS and enables improvements in safety. Implementation of ERTMS will also enable improvements in the capacity of the rail network of up to 30% as part of the wider digital railway programme.
ETCS tells the driver when to accelerate, brake or about upcoming hazards – making running trains far more efficient. The information, which is fed directly to the train’s cab, is drawn from the track-side system that monitors every train’s movement and position on the railway.
Hitachi Rail Europe called the authorisation from the Office of Road and Rail (ORR), formerly the Office of Rail Regulation, a “major milestone on behalf of the rail industry”.
Andy Rogers, project director of Hitachi Rail Europe, said: "This is big step forward for digital innovation on the UK rail network and, once implemented, can deliver revolutionary benefits for rail passengers. Hitachi is hugely proud to be the first to achieve this milestone, which is a testament to the hard work of our testing and signalling teams.
“Our thanks go to Network Rail for its role in achieving this milestone and we look forward to working with them to implement ETCS across the network.”