The government approved plan to implement modern European railway protection13/9/2021|Press releasesThe government approved Plan for Modern Protection of Czech Railways – Implementation of the European Train Control System (ETCS), which proposes a gradual implementation of ETCS on 4,800 km of railways by 2030 and on the entire railway network by 2040. The system should increase security and allow for better use of the national railway transport. It will build on the current deployment of this technology to corridor and core railways. “We need to increase the safety of railway traffic due to an increased number of cases when drivers ignored red traffic signal and we need to react to that. Therefore, the government approved this plan today and we will invest several billions of Czech Crowns per year into deployment of this control system”, said minister of transport Karel Havlíček. Compared to other European countries, where ETCS is used mainly to ensure interoperability, in the Czech Republic it will specifically be used to increase safety. For example, it could have prevent such collisions that happened last summer by Pernink or this August by Milavče u Domažlic. The approved Plan sets deadline for implementation of ETCS on individual lines, including estimated costs for deployment of ETCS on railways as well as for equipping carriages with on-board units for which the carriers will receive a financial state aid. “According to the Plan, 4,800 km of railways should be equipped with ETCS by 2030, costing CZK 47 billion. We have already commissioned construction works for over CZK 8 billion and also carriers already used resources from EU funds surpassing CZK 3 billion. Over 650 km of our railways is already using the technology for CZK 3 billion, with test runs under way, and carriers have enough finances for 475 locomotives,” added Mr Havlíček. The approved document was prepared by the Ministry of Transport and Správa železnic in cooperation with other experts after consultations with carriers, unions and regions. What is ETCS? • ETCS is a common European train control system. It is based on on-board equipment and trackside equipment. • It is the only system, which under certain circumstance can stop the train without driver’s action. For example, if the driver ignores red traffic signal, the system will take control and activates emergency brakes. • Currently, there is a number of different train control systems across the EU, so there is a need for their unification. • It allows to smoothly and safely control the train movement. The technology controls whether the train is moving on a permitted railway track. • It also controls speed limits. When the train moves beyond maximum speed, the system will take control. • For more information, please, follow this link.