European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS)

The article presents information about the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS). This system is one of important components ensuring interoperability of the European rail system. The structure of the ERTMS has been discussed and its individual components have been described. Train control systems (TCS) are used in many countries in the world. However, for a long time, those were mostly national systems used in individual countries. The system is being implemented in individual European countries (as well as outside Europe), but it will take many years to reach full interoperability of the European rail system. Rail traffic management is an important element of rail transport systems. It contributes considerably to ensuring the expected quality and efficiency of rail services while retaining the required traffic safety level. To meet contemporary safety requirements and growing user expectations, rail traffic management systems are based on technologically and functionally advanced IT solutions. The strategic management system harmonizes all technical and organizational actions to ensure the assumed quality and the required level of rail traffic safety in the respective area. Of course, the ERTMS is not a system used only in Europe (the European Union) but also outside the EU and Europe. The ERTMS is an example of ITS system in rail traffic. It can be noticed that the ITS implementation only shows very good establishment of requirements for the system within the entire European Union. It is the standard best described within the ITS. There are no such accurate guidelines for the entire traffic control and management system in road traffic.