SIGNAL+DRAHT | Issue 01-02/2025
Terms for ETCS equipment variants – a terminological reorganisation
At the beginning of the E uropean Train Control System (ETCS) era, the characteristics of ETCS were still clear: there were Levels 1, 2 and 3. Modes played no role for the line equipment and, while fixed signals were considered indispensable at Level 1 (L1), they were always presented as optional for Level 2 (L2). Fixed, switchable signals were to be omitted completely in Level 3 (L3), which was often justified by the fact that the trains were travelling in moving block. Although this is technically possible in L3, it is by no means a requirement – it is also possible to travel with a fixed spacing there f or which there are use cases [ 5 ] ...