SIGNAL+DRAHT | Issue 12/2010
Assuring interoperability in the ETCS onboard sector
The ever growing market for the European Train Control System (ETCS) combined with the expansion of ETCS corridors poses a major challenge for ETCS system interoperability, which must be certified both within a country and for border transitions. A further challenge in this regard is interoperable integration of the ETCS system with a host of existing rail vehicles that need to be retrofitted, as well as with equipable new vehicle types. The way that Bombardier Transportation undertakes rigorous preparatory steps in-house and uses externally mandated processes to certify interoperability is described.