ERTMS

[whole diary]

[autotank]

There was a presentation recently to the 'Institution of Mechanical Engineers' by NR^» (Network Rail - home page) about ERTMS^▸ (European Rail Traffic Management System.). The slides from the presentation which was titled 'ERTMS the story of a success' are available here:

http://www.imeche.org/Libraries/Human_Resources/ERTMS_-_story_of_a_success.sflb.ashx

(I've nicked this link from the Nat Pres forum)

A look at the poor performance statistics on p21-24, massive cost overruns and the fact that the project was delivered several years late lead me to wonder how the word success if defined by NR!

The most worrying thing I found in the whole presentation I think is hidden in a bullet point on p29:

'Needs a different approach to driving ^ ERTMS is more cautious than humans'

As if over defensive cautious defensive driving polices on the Western (especially LTV^▸ (London [and] Thames Valley) Turbo operated services) weren't causing enough delays/wasted time we will have to cope with even slower trains when the system is progressively introduced on the Western Region from 2014!

I thought the whole point of the system was to speed up trains and increase capacity - I'm a bit worried now!

[Electric train]

Existing trains are unlikely to be equipped with the full ETCS^▸ (European Train Control System) equipment, one of the major problems on the Cambrian was the retro fitting rolling stock.  I just wonder if the TV suburban area will see an improvement over the 4 colour light although if the full system (ie no fixed signals) is implemented then may be.

One of the motives behind ETCS and ETRMS is the reduction, even in some areas elimination, of line-side equipment and cabling the use of axle counters eradicated track circuit failures although NR^» (Network Rail - home page) still prefer track circuits for junctions and busy station areas.  It is also questionable whether the GSMR system recently installed has the capacity?