ATO over ETCS

Making the most of existing infrastructure while boosting the efficiency and punctuality of mainline, freight, and regional traffic: Our ATO system based on ETCS delivers on this promise.

Improved rail operations all the way with ATO over ETCS

Existing rail network routes must be used as efficiently as possible in order to meet the growing demand for rail transport capacities. This is exactly what automatic train operation (ATO) based on the European Train Control System (ETCS) makes possible for shared tracks. The interaction of Siemens Mobility’s ATO solutions with TPS.live, a software for operational timetabling and ad-hoc dispatching, renders further potential for the prevention of delays and sustainable cost reductions.
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Maximized network capacity

Automatic train operation (ATO) helps to make optimal use of existing track networks by allowing more trains on the track.

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Improvement of punctuality

Automatic train operation in combination with TPS.live enables immediate reaction to unforeseeable events such as disruptions or schedule deviations.

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Energy savings

ATO over ETCS enables the optimization of speed profiles and the adapted speed, acceleration, and braking behavior of trains to boost energy efficiency.

Prepared for future demand

How it works. In view of increasing passenger and freight volumes in rail traffic, expanding the transport capacity of existing lines is key to the future viability of rail operations. Automatic train operation is a major contribution to this project, at the same time positively influencing energy consumption and operating costs, and ultimately even improving punctuality and passenger comfort. Combining the ATO system with TPS.live, Siemens' software solution for train planning and capacity management, paves the way for even further improvement: It becomes possible to react to events such as disruptions and timetable deviations in next to no time, in this way optimizing rail operations as such.

The interaction of ATO systems, ETCS, and TPS.live

ATO onboard controls the vehicle’s traction and braking systems for energy- optimized operation. It continuously calculates the optimum speed profile based on the individual journey profile it receives from ATO trackside. To calculate this profile, automatic train operation trackside uses the up-to-date infrastructure, track, and timetable data it obtains from the traffic management system. At the same time, ETCS onboard monitors train movements and speed limits on track, in this way allowing train drivers to operate safely at shorter headways for optimum usage of track capacity. On top of that, TPS.live enables the real-time rescheduling of trains in the traffic management system to manage short-term disruptions on the fly and avoid conflicts throughout the network.

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Making optimum use of track capacities

ATO automatically controls the acceleration, cruising, coasting, braking, and stopping of the train. It is connected via ATO trackside to the trackside traffic management system enabling continuous transmission of the latest schedule and route information to the vehicle. In addition, TPS.live enables the traffic management system to respond immediately to any unforeseen event on the track. The interaction of the systems renders an optimized traffic flow with higher punctuality and lower energy requirements.

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“The challenge is to provide more capacity on existing infrastructure without having to build new tracks. The ATO system allows for higher train frequencies, putting more trains on the tracks and thus better serve the passengers.” Christoph Gonçalves Alpoim, Head of Digital S-Bahn Hamburg, Deutsche Bahn, Germany

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