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GPRS for ETCS ETCS European Train Control System Test Cases Kick Off Meeting
The GPRS for ETCS kick off meeting was held at UIC HQ, in Paris, on 11th of February.
The European Train Control System (ETCS) at Level 2 should replace line side signalling, and should provide a full automatic train protection including train supervision.
In order to achieve these goals, there is a need of a data service, which will help to overcome future restrictions especially in dense area.
Following this line, the UIC ERTMS ERTMS European Rail Transport Management System /Advanced -GSMR has the goal to assess the readiness of IP-based solutions (e.g. GPRS) to be available for ETCS level 2 to overcome future restrictions especially in dense areas.
In summer 2007, RFI has executed GPRS tests, in their Test Laboratory as well as Live, on the Roma –Naples and Turin – Novara HSL lines, with encouraging results. The purpose of the test was different, (network capability to transmit large multimedia files) but it showed a good functionality of the network.
Having the tests results as a starting point, the workshop participants ( experts from DB, JBV, Prorail, RFF, ERIG ERIG European Radio Implementers Group , FG and OG chairman’s, UIC HQ) have decided to draft a set of tests concerning the transport layer of GPRS, based also on the UNISIG UNISIG Union Industry of Signalling proposal, and together with the RFI experts team to perform the tests, hopefully until end of March 2008.
In the same time, a GSM-R GSM-R Global System for Mobile Communications-Railways Frequency Capacity study will be launched.
