201811 – Page & Stamm – Automating ETCS for Enhanced Capacity and Performance

The renewal and expansion of metropolitan rail networks frequently includes the objective of safely increasing capacity in an environment of constrained physical infrastructure and complex movements of other traffic.

With the availability of high capacity and flexible mainline train control solutions, such as the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2, attention has moved to the addition of advanced features to deliver further increases in capacity and efficiency. This includes Automatic Train Operation (ATO), combined with enhanced forms of dynamic scheduling and traffic management. This involves both technical and operational innovation but also creates opportunities for more efficient and reliable services.