ERTMS/ETCS Hybrid Level 3 and ATO

Abstract

In the 2020 timetable the Dutch legacy signalling and automatic train protection systems (ATB/NS’54) are operating at maximum capacity in the busiest parts of the network. With future expansions of services in mind, the capacity provided by the legacy systems could be considered insufficient. The planned implementation of the ERTMS/ETCS Level 2 system might still not provide sufficient capacity in these locations. This thesis investigates how the technological developments of the Hybrid Level 3 and ATO (GoA2) systems could contribute to the capacity of the railway network with the objective to provide a solution for the busiest part of the Dutch railway network. The capacity effects of these systems are analysed through a simulation case study on the SAAL corridor on the Dutch railway network, using a variant of the 2030 timetable. Through timetable compressions, the capacity that the different systems (ATB/NS’54, ERTMS/ETCS Level 2, Hybrid Level 3 and ATO) provide in different configurations. A further comparison between the human driver behaviour and automatic systems is made to determine where possible capacity benefits could be gained from. The thesis was partly used as an opportunity to further develop capacity modelling methods for ERTMS/ETCS and ATO based on the constraints provided by the systems and modelling software. The timetable compressions provided an overview of each separate system and configuration step and their contribution to the capacity. The results of the timetable compressions indicated that the ERTMS/ETCS Hybrid Level 3 and ATO systems provided 4 main steps for increasing capacity. 1. Improving braking behaviour through the use of ERTMS/ETCS braking curves instead of the legacy system 2. The use of shorter block sections through the ERTMS/ETCS Hybrid Level 3 system 3. An optimisation of driving/braking behaviour through the ATO system 4. The possibility to limit headway buffer times due to homogenisation of train movements brought by the ATO Sizable variations in the timetable compressions on the different part of the corridor caused by variations in the service pattern and infrastructure configuration indicated that the effectiveness of these systems will vary based on the location. This shows the importance for infrastructure managers of investigating these systems on a case by case basis when using them to increase capacity on their respective networks. The results from the case study indicate that the ERTMS/ETCS Hybrid Level 3 and ATO systems could provide a possible alternative for costly infrastructure expansion projects to increase capacity on the Dutch railway network. Trade-offs will need to be made between capacity, costs, and robustness to determine the optimal system configuration.