Rail sector players AERRL, ERFA, CER and EIM have called for the compatibility assessment of ETCS (European Train Control System) systems to be reviewed, in a joint position published on Friday 24 July.
This assessment mechanism (ESC) had been introduced on a provisional basis in order to guarantee technical compatibility between on-board ETCS equipment and trackside systems, the organisations explain. While the stated objective is gradually to simplify the system and, ultimately, to reduce the use of these tests, the authors of the document believe that the arrangement has become too fragmented and costly.
The European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) is currently working, on a mandate from the European Commission, to reduce the complexity and fragmentation of system accounting requirements. However, the organisations believe that the current measures do not sufficiently meet the needs of cross-border fleets. “The complete and immediate phase-out of ESC is not a realistic objective”, they write, saying that they are “fully committed to working jointly with ERA” to improve this assessment system.
See the document: https://aeur.eu/f/n1a (Original version in French by Juliette Verdes)