The future evolution of the CCS framework
The future evolution of the CCS (Control Command and Signalling) framework led by the Commission aims to take advantage of the digitisation and single market. It seeks to provide economically efficient solutions both to high-performance networks and to networks with lower requirements.
DG MOVE, ERA, EU-Rail JU and the wider sector have agreed on the CCS system framework through the ERTMS Platform. This framework sets out the vision, principles and actions needed to:
- Ensure that the CCS system is optimally set up to take advantage of digitisation;
- Develop a more standardised CCS approach across Europe, reducing costs and complexity;
- Ensure a smooth evolution, thus maintaining confidence in the viability of current investments and deployments.
The following elements are constitutive of the vision of an integrated CCS system:
- A single European CCS system. Broader interoperability that goes beyond the current CCS Technical Specifications for Interoperability, with much greater standardisation and much less national variation than at present.
- A flexible and adaptable CCS system. The aim is to use principle and standards for the CCS software and hardware installed onboard or trackside as generally used in the IT industry. The ultimate objective would be to develop standardised "plug and play" solutions when this is technically and economically feasible.
- Harmonisation of operations. Radio based ERTMS will significantly reduce the complexity and network specificities of ETCS Level 1 and Class B lineside signalling, allowing for a broader operational harmonisation.
- Optimised traffic management. Wider use of automated processes for data integration and exchange with other rail business services.
The following principles should guide the development of the above vision:
- Principle 1: Fast deployment and development. European-wide deployment of ERTMS and CCS investments need to proceed as quickly as possible, with decommissioning of (national) Class B systems, at least as regards the Core Network, possibly shortly after 2030 with predictable and reasonable deadlines.
- Principle 2: A modular and secure system. The CCS system should increasingly be defined in a modular way with standardised interface specifications between the main CCS components. The separation of the safety-related and non-safety-related layers is needed; this should enable modular safety cases.
- Principle 3: Safeguarding existing investment. Implementation of new functionalities and changes to the CCS system must be enabled, but current investments should not be undermined.
- Principle 4: Enhanced interoperability. Future CCS evolution will deliver significant business case improvements for the railway sector. This evolution must continue to ensure and enhance the technical and operational interoperability of the Single European Rail Area.
2023 CCS TSI revision
The CCS TSI were adopted in the Railway Interoperability and Safety Committee (RISC) on 30 March 2023 together with the TSIs that apply to other subsystems (Energy TSI, Infrastructure TSI, Noise TSI, Rolling Stock – Locomotives and Passengers TSI, Rolling Stock – Freight Wagons TSI, Safety in Railway Tunnels TSI, Persons with Disabilities and with Reduced Mobility TSI, Operation and Traffic Management TSI, Telematics Applications for Passengers service TSI, Telematics Applications for Freight service TSI). The new CCS TSI include several updates that improve the ERTMS system and support its deployment.
The main changes agreed include:
- The ERTMS game-changers, which are key to future digitisation. They build on ERTMS and aim to achieve higher capacity and better performance. They include:
- Automatic Train Operation (ATO grade of Automation [GoA] 1/2), reducing energy consumption and increasing capacity;
- Readiness for the Future Radio Mobile Communication System (FRMCS), replacing GSM-R and introducing 5G technologies;
- Braking curve model optimisation, improving the balance between safety and capacity requirements;
- Provisions to allow for the deployment of ETCS Level 2 with moving block (formerly Level 3), which increases capacity and reduces trackside life cycle costs;
- Onboard train integrity, complementing the provisions above and providing a significant opportunity for cost reduction in trackside equipment;
- Further enhancement of safety and efficiency of manoeuvres, through the (supervised) mode of supervised manoeuvres replacing the unsupervised shunting mode.
- Easier introduction of digital technologies through modularisation. The focus is first on the CCS onboard modular architecture to deliver a more flexible and robust system starting with modularity of the European Vital Computer (EVC) interface with Radio and Automatic Train Operation (ATO). Later, it will proceed with the modularity of the interface with the vehicle.
- Enhancements to ERTMS technical and operational harmonisation and alignment with the different digital registers hosted by the European Railway Agency. This includes:
- Requirements to avoid partial fulfilment of products to the CCS TSI;
- Greater harmonisation of operational rules linked to ERTMS implementation;
- Necessary ERTMS data included in RINF (Register of Infrastructure).
- Provisions to ensure robust maintenance of the CCS TSI technical specifications and products through:
- Introduction of error corrections procedures, which are essential to ensure interoperability on increasingly integrated networks. It will have a focus on unacceptable errors in a given area of use of the products;
- Single set of specifications, to allow for error corrected specifications that include different clearly identified onboard envelopes for functional options.
- Improved request for National Implementation Plans, including an obligatory template with additional information on onboard deployment and cross-border sections. This will allow to improve the detailed ERTMS planning in the European network.