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Level 3, based on the moving block principle, is the most
promising application level of the ETCS (European Train Control System) developed since the late 90s, with which the most benefits related to safety, interoperability, capacity and LCC (life cycle costs) are expected. However, after more than 20 years, the deployment of ETCS Level 3 is restricted to pilot projects on regional lines. In Level 3 the absence of trackside train detection equipment requires the train information (speed, location, direction and confirmation of integrity) to be used as the basis of
route setting. This creates the essential difference between ETCS level 3 and other ETCS levels.The focus of this paper is on the challenges of implementing ETCS level 3 in brown field environment. Challenges are divided into 3 (three) main categories and 5 (five) subcategories: technical (technology, knowledge), operational (procedures, processes) and budgetary (LCC) and studied through literature review. The Dutch railway network is chosen as a case study to examine the deployment of
ETCS Level 3 as a game changer. ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) specialists are interviewed to determine and further analyze how the Dutch railways would be influenced by the above challenges. Our study reveals that the absence of developed operational procedures is the main hinderance for the realization of the ETCS Level 3. The operational procedures help to ensure that functions and requirements related to human aspect, rolling stock, trackside equipment and maintenance strategies are properly defined and implemented. Also, the resilience aspects, including migration strategies and operational scenarios in case of degraded modes need attention. This is followed by the budgetary challenges, including short life cycle
and relatively high costs of the onboard equipment.Finally,
expected advantages in terms of capacity and safety are closely related to the extent to which ERTMS is deployed and modifications in other network elements and subsystems, including traffic management are considered. Therefore, the implementation of merely a moving block Level 3 system without a holistic change in control & command would not be sufficient to get expected benefits.
