Description
The objective of the feasibility study is to determine the technical feasibility and economic viability of an integrated satellite navigation and satellite communication solution complementing the ERTMS signalling system. Space Based Services for Railway Signalling (SBS-RailS) has the scope to analyse a solution based on GNSS and available augmentation systems in combination with satellite communications and other terrestrial means to be used in ERTMS based signalling solutions. The integrated application will take into account the needs of the users and will focus on the overall world market with a special attention to the European scenarios. Nowadays, the adoption of the ERTMS signalling system is limited by the high investment cost for the required infrastructure (train on-board equipment, ETCS infrastructure along the tracks, GSM-R as communication solution, etc.) and by the subsequent maintenace costs. Therefore, ERTMS is typically implemented for high speed lines (HSL), where the high level of utilisation justifies such high investments; this cost represent an obvious barrier for the deployment of such high safety standards in non-High Speed Lines (e.g. Conventional Main Lines, Regional Lines, and Local Lines). The currently applied national safety standards do not always match the level as provided by ERTMS. Taking into account the important role that satellites and related services can play in the railway domain, thestudy will analyse the requirements that a satellite aided signalling solution needs to satisfy in order to be attractive to the railway market.
Tender Specifics