Alstom has conducted the first ETCS System Compatibility (ESC) tests in Poland on a Traxx locomotive equipped with ETCS on-board system at company’s laboratory in Katowice.
The testing environment consisted of real ERTMS devices, as well as base-layer system simulators and supporting tools. The process was carried out under the supervision of the Transport Certification Centre at the Warsaw University of Technology, based on scenarios developed by PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe, Poland’s railway infrastructure manager.
The aim of ETCS System Compatibility tests is to demonstrate compatibility between the ETCS (European Train Control System) on-board systems, installed in the vehicle, and the trackside systems responsible for railway traffic control. This requirement applies to both rolling stock manufacturers and carriers. Tests are conducted for vehicles with ETCS devices that are about to enter service on a given line.
The process of preparing the ESC reference testing environment took over a year and comprised numerous stages, from conception to adapting the simulation environment and tools, culminating in obtaining an independent opinion validating the credibility of the environment. The accuracy of the test results was also endorsed by an independent certification body, the Transport Certification Centre (OCT).
“Conducting the first ESC tests in laboratory conditions in Poland marks a significant milestone in enhancing the certification of new vehicles equipped with ERTMS technology. It also addresses the expectations of Poland’s Rail Transport Authority, which advocates for such tests, as well as meeting the needs of our partners, customers, and the entire industry,” said Adam Juretko, the Managing Director of the Katowice plant of Alstom in Poland.
The team, led by Aneta Pogorzelska-Szcześniak, M.Sc. Eng., took part in observing the preparation of the laboratory environment, test configuration and analysis of the work of all components in the complex test configuration in cooperation with the laboratory team. The conclusions from the observations provided sufficient evidence to confirm the correct operation of the test stand, which was reflected in an independent opinion confirming the credibility of the ESC test centre.
“Cooperation with the Alstom laboratory in Katowice, which serves as the ESC testing centre, provides the opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience in the field of digital mapping of real systems. This work is part of our team’s research on the ETCS digital twin and, more broadly, on the railway digitalisation process,” said Andrzej Kochan the Director of the Transport Certification Centre at the Faculty of Transport of the Warsaw University of Technology.
On signalling segment in Poland, Alstom was involved in the implementation of the ERTMS Level 2, construction of the ERTMS L2 system on 10 PKP PLK railway lines, construction of a control centre for the Warsaw Metro, construction of 30 centralised railway traffic control systems (CTC), equipping over 200 stations with computer dependency systems, and modernisation of over 1,700 crossing signalling systems.
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