Commission Decision of 25 January 2012 on the technical specification for interoperability relating to the control-command and signalling subsystems of the trans-European rail system (notified under document C(2012) 172) (Text with EEA relevance) (2012/88/EU) (repealed)

3. THE ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CONTROL-COMMAND AND SIGNALLING SUBSYSTEMS

3.1. General

The Railway Interoperability Directive requires that the subsystems and the interoperability constituents including interfaces meet the essential requirements set out in general terms in Annex III to the Directive.

The essential requirements are:

1.

Safety;

2.

Reliability and Availability;

3.

Health;

4.

Environmental Protection;

5.

Technical compatibility.

The essential requirements for Class A systems are described below.

The requirements for Class B systems are the responsibility of the relevant Member State.

3.2. Specific Aspects of the Control-Command and Signalling Subsystems

3.2.1. Safety

Every project to which this specification is applied shall take the measures necessary to ensure that the level of risk of an incident occurring within the scope of the Control-Command and Signalling Subsystems, is not higher than the objective for the service. For this purpose Commission Regulation (EC) No 352/2009 of 24 April 2009 on the adoption of a common safety method on risk evaluation and assessment as referred to in Article 6(3)(a) of Directive 2004/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council(1) (Common Safety Method) applies.

To ensure that the measures taken to achieve safety do not jeopardise interoperability, the requirements of the basic parameter defined in Section 4.2.1 (Control-Command and Signalling safety characteristics relevant to interoperability) shall be respected.

For the ERTMS/ETCS Class A system the safety objective is apportioned between the Control-Command and Signalling On-board and Track-side Subsystems. The detailed requirements are specified in the basic parameter defined in Section 4.2.1 (Control-Command and Signalling safety characteristics relevant to interoperability). This safety requirement must be met together with the availability requirements as defined in Section 3.2.2 (Reliability and Availability).

3.2.2. Reliability and Availability

For the Class A system, the reliability and availability objectives are apportioned between the Control-Command and Signalling On-board and Track-side Subsystems. The detailed requirements are specified in the basic parameter defined in Section 4.2.1 (Control-Command and Signalling safety characteristics relevant to interoperability).

The level of risk shall be monitored as constituents of the subsystem age and wear. The requirements for maintenance stated in Section 4.5 shall be respected.

3.2.3. Health

In accordance with EU regulations and with national regulations that are compatible with the European legislation, care shall be taken to ensure that the materials used in and the design of the Control-Command and Signalling Subsystems do not constitute a health hazard to persons having access to them.

3.2.4. Environmental Protection

In accordance with EU regulations and with national regulations that are compatible with European legislation:

1.

the Control-Command and Signalling equipment, if subjected to excessive heat or fire, shall not exceed limits for the emission of fumes or gases which are harmful to the environment;

2.

the Control-Command and Signalling equipment shall not contain substances which may abnormally contaminate the environment during their normal use;

3.

the Control-Command and Signalling equipment shall be subject to the European legislation in force controlling the limits to the emission of and the susceptibility to electromagnetic interference along the boundaries of railway property;

4.

the Control-Command and Signalling equipment shall comply with existing regulations on noise pollution;

5.

the Control-Command and Signalling equipment shall not give rise to any inadmissible level of vibration which could jeopardise the integrity of the infrastructure (when the infrastructure is in the correct state of maintenance).

3.2.5. Technical Compatibility

Technical compatibility includes the functions, interfaces and performances required to achieve interoperability.

The requirements of technical compatibility are subdivided in the following three categories:

1.

The first category sets out the general engineering requirements for interoperability namely environmental conditions, internal electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) within the railway boundaries, and installation. These compatibility requirements are defined in this chapter.

2.

The second category describes how the Control-Command and Signalling Subsystems have to be applied technically and what functions they have to perform to ensure interoperability. This category is defined in Chapter 4.

3.

The third category describes how the Control-Command and Signalling Subsystems have to be operated in order that interoperability is achieved. This category is defined in Chapter 4.

3.2.5.1. Engineering Compatibility

3.2.5.1.1. Physical environmental conditions

Control-Command and Signalling equipment shall be capable of operating under the climatic and physical conditions which characterise the area in which the relevant part of the trans-European rail system is located.

The requirements of basic parameter 4.2.16 (Environmental conditions) shall be respected.

3.2.5.1.2. Railway Internal Electromagnetic Compatibility

In accordance with EU regulations and with national regulations that are compatible with the European legislation, the Control-Command and Signalling equipment shall neither interfere with nor be interfered with by other control-command and signalling equipment or other subsystems.

The basic parameter related for electromagnetic compatibility between rolling stock and control-command and signalling track-side equipment is described in Section 4.2.11 (Electromagnetic Compatibility).

3.2.5.2. Control-Command and Signalling Compatibility.

Chapter 4 defines the requirements for the interoperability of the Control-Command and Signalling Subsystems.

In addition, where the Control-Command and Signalling Subsystems are concerned, this TSI ensures technical interoperability between trans-European high-speed rail and conventional rail systems when both are fitted with Class A systems.

(1)

OJ L 108, 29.4.2009, p. 4.