introduction | context | targets | theme

In order to optimize the resources, to improve the safety standard, to encourage the railway interoperability, Railway Systems is using innovative technologies, as SCMT, ERTMS/ETCS, GSM-R, ACC-M, adopted by the main rail infrastructure managers and main transport companies in Europe. In particular, the main objective of an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) is to integrate on the board equipment a system of signalling of the line to ensure compliance with signalling. This system can intervene only in case of incorrect driving of engine driver. An example of an ATP system is SCMT (Sistema Controllo Marcia Treno) spread over 12.000 Km of the railway network. An Automatic Train Control system can be seen as the technological evolution of ATP system. In fact, ATC, other then to carry out the same functionality of the ATP system, supplies the driver engine with more accurate and useful information for the safety while the train is running. Consequently it is possible to minimize the actions of the driver engine, so to decrease his possible mistakes that could compromise the safety of the train. An example of ATC system is ERTMS/ETCS (European Railway Traffic Management System/European Train Control System).