WRITTEN QUESTION E-2950/97 by Florus Wijsenbeek (ELDR) to the Commission (17 September 1997)

Subject: European Train Control System (ETCS)

Is the Commission aware that different safety and traffic control systems exist for rail transport in the various Member States?

Is the Commission aware that a proposal has been made for a European Train Control System (ETCS), for which operational specifications would have to be drawn up?

Is the Commission aware, furthermore, that Netherlands Railways intend to upgrade their ATB safety system, which will result in a new version of the ATB, after which they will adjust to the ETCS only well into the next millennium?

With a view to freight freeways, and in connection with the Trans-European Networks, ought not the Commission to ensure, as a consequence of its proposals on inter-operability, that all railway companies operating in the Member States make the adjustments required by the ETCS as soon as possible?

Could not the Commission ensure, at the minimum, that the existing systems and their upgrading are compatible with the future ETCS?

If so, how?

If not, why not?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (24 October 1997)

Following the Council resolution of 17 December 1990 regarding the establishment of a set of preparatory activities to improve the interoperability of the high-speed rail network ((OJ C 33, 8.2.1991. )), the Commission initiated an integrated programme of research work supporting the development of a European rail traffic management system (ERTMS). The ERTMS will create the standard for a European rail signalling system. It will include a train management system and an automatic train protection system (ETCS-European train control system). When developed, the system will complement and gradually replace the 13 different systems which operate in the Community today. The system will also be the first step towards integrating traffic and infrastructure management with customer services.

The Commission is developing a set of specifications which can serve as a common basis for the implementation of ERTMS/ETCS everywhere in the Community and in Central and Eastern European countries.

The Dutch 'automatische trein beïnvloeding' (ATB) signalling system is one of the 13 different systems existing in the Community. The Betuwe line in the Netherlands should be among the first lines to be equipped with the ERTMS/ETCS system. However, the ERTMS system is to be deployed either as a stand-alone system or as an overlay to an existing signalling infrastructure. In any case specific transmission modules will perform the translation between the national signalling coded information and the ERTMS format. This will also allow the circulation of ERTMS equipped trains on lines with the existing system.

Since 1989 and in order to establish interoperable networks, much effort has been put into the promotion of the ERTMS/ETCS system. The system will be tested in the near future on several trial sites (Florence-Arezzo, Berlin-Halle-Leipzig, Paris junction, Vienna-Budapest, Madrid-Seville). The first implementation of the ERTMS/ETCS system is foreseen on the following main lines: Köln and Frankfurt, HST (high speed train) East, Betuwe line, HST South, Vienna Budapest, West Coast main line, Madrid-Barcelona, Zaragoza-Vitoria-San Sebastian and Turin-Venice.