New tests for the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 are underway in northern Italy. The initiative is led by Railpool, Alstom and Captrain along the Rho-Trecate line, running west of Milan.
“These are ESC check tests aimed at verifying compatibility on sections equipped with both ETCS L1 LS and L2. The tests will last approximately one month, after which Alstom will proceed with the application for a new APOM”, Alberto Lacchini, General Manager Italy at Railpool told RailFreight.com.
Key definitions in the context of ETCS and EU rail regulation:
- ESC (European Specific Case) – national rules or adaptations that deviate from harmonised ETCS specifications but are required to account for local conditions such as infrastructure constraints, safety procedures or legacy systems.
- APOM (Authorisation for Placing On the Market) – the EU procedure by which rolling stock and vehicle subsystems are authorised for entry into service, ensuring compliance with technical, safety and interoperability requirements, including ETCS compatibility.
On-board ETCS L2
The ETCS version which will be tested over the next month in Italy allows for continuous information communication. This means that locomotives and trains can be constantly monitored in real-time, while with ETCS L1 the information is transmitted only when a train passes above a trackside balise.
‘Stable situation, but costs worry’
ETCS is always a hot topic, especially regarding the financing and the fragmentation among Member States, which are carrying out the project at different speeds. Lacchini pointed out that, thanks to the efforts made by the country’s infrastructure manager RFI, the situation is stable at the moment. “The fact that RFI agreed to proceed with the implementation of ETCS BL3.4 on board locomotives represented a major step forward for locomotive owners”, he explained.
However, “the organisation of test runs remains quite complex given the large number of fleets affected in relation to network availability”, Lacchini added. Another issue concerns the costs, which are higher than those imagined a few years ago, increasing the complexity of its financial sustainability. Various industry associations, including ERFA, AERRL and ALLRAIL, went as far as saying that the current costs for ETCS deployment outweigh the advantages it will bring.