This paper gives an overview of the Community's global strategy that was put in place to support the development of a harmonised European railway command/control and traffic management system (ERTMS). Such a strategy is being implemented through a Master Plan, defining in a systematic way the scope of the work to be performed to the completion of ERTMS, its timing and the role and responsibilities of the main actors involved. Particular reference is given in the paper to the set of key technical and management principles underpinning the structure of the Master Plan as well as to the progress already achieved regarding its main activities. The paper also outlines the current ideas regarding the future extension of ERTMS towards a European Rail Transport Management System. This should enable the integration of operational - viz. train command/control, traffic management, infrastructure and fleet management - and customer value-added services providing relevant information for door-to-door passenger and freight transport. Such an approach should lead to a significantly higher return on investments which are primarily safety related, whilst optimising through-transportation services and the efficiency of rail operations.
Samenvatting