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« Signalling »: Securitisation through proper communication
Companies within the Signalling grouping are involved in activities ranging from system design to component development. As such, their work is essentially focused on designing and supplying signalling and control-command systems vital to ensuring train operations in conditions of optimum safety. These systems , purpose-built to provide dialogue between train and track equipment (mobile and fixed phones), are at the very cutting-edge of technologies deployed in the rail sector. At a time when Europe and globalisation are very much the order of the day, it follows that one of the key objectives is to arrive at a unique system to serve as a benchmark for cross-border train operations (interoperability) whilst achieving the scale effect needed to improve competitiveness.
«Facts in figures»
- 7 companies
- 3000 workers
- Turnover : € 609.5 million (2017 results) with 34.6% generated by overseas sales
To cope effectively with increasing rail-traffic volumes, companies represented within the grouping have successfully developed a high-precision technological tool which, as a key contributor to safety across the network, comprises a wide range of signalling-critical components (relays, detectors, track circuits, turnouts, etc….) plus a whole range of automatic-driving, control and communication devices.
«Facts in brief»
Trades represented within the Signalling grouping :
- Signalling-critical products (automatons, track circuits, axle-counters, points motors, …)
- Calibration of these products and their deployment on railway premises
- Systems engineering and integration
- Demonstration of the safety of products and systems deployed
- Traffic monitoring systems
Signalling : communication and securitised command
Signalling companies have pioneered the development of a whole range of electronic modules and microprocessor systems, all designed to ensure optimum safety on high-speed, suburban, urban and freight transport networks. Six categories of « conventional » products, including a coherent set of modules, are available on the market.
- Interlocking cabins, fully-computerised railway integrated signalling systems.
- Train driving-aid and control-command systems.
- Radio-based railway signalling systems for lightly-trafficked safety networks.
- Centralised traffic dispatching and train-control boxes for managing rail traffic through the Channel Tunnel.
- Computerised transmission and control systems
Inborne computerised networks.
PRS, PRCI, PAI- ETCS, CBTC, TVM300, TVM400, KVB, SACEM, CDTC, ANTARES
- ECLAIR, SECRURA, SYFERAD
- Mistral ? SIGVIEW, RTM
- SNTI, SNCI, RTV2000 TORNAD
Signalling in the future : Harmonisation through innovation
Towards a European system
As each country historically opted to develop its own signalling system, it was obvious that compatibility would sooner or later become a burning issue, which European railway equipment manufacturers – with the massive involvement of French companies – have since successfully addressed by developing the European Train Control System( ETCS). This concept, intended to serve as a building block for the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), has developed into a signalling system common to infrastructure managers and train operators in Europe..
Innovation on the move
The high-tech solution currently being rolled-out is therefore the European Rail Trafic Management System (ERTMS), itself based on GSM-R mobile telephony and the ETCS signaling system. With the ERTMS, trains can be worked seamlessly across borders without having to stop for technical or safety reasons. The challenge today resides in harmonising software systems (which presently differ from one country to another) , the end-game being to achieve traffic optimisation on all suitably-equipped networks and to define a policy for migrating existing systems to the ERTMS.
«Focus on»
Train driving-aid and control-command systems :
- The SACEM driving-aid/operating/maintenance system (Paris RER Line A), which instructs the driver when to accelerate or brake the train, displays the running speed to be observed and initiates the emergency system. It may be superimposed on an already-existing signalling system.
- Fully-automatic train driving (MAGGALY)
- Full automation (as exists on Paris Metro Line 14 – METEOR) now replaces conventional driving practices . Communication between CCTV system and Traffic Control Centre. Systematic opening/closing of landing doors and fixed station-doors. No more train guards.
«Facts you need to know»
Today, fewer than a dozen companies wordwide are technically equipped to offer an integrated signalling system, and members of the signalling group can take pride in the knowledge that they form part of this distinguished band of trail-blazers…
SIGNALLING