Two European Train Control System (ETCS) laboratories have been in use since 2024 in Germany, in Munich and Dresden, by the Federal Railways Office EBA (Eisenbahn-Bundesamt) and by the German Rail Transport Research Centre DZSF (Deutsches Zentrum für Schienenverkehrsforschung).
EBA is responsible for ensuring rail safety on the network.
Attached to EBA, the DZSF centre is a scientific institute in charge of research projects.
The ETCS laboratories delivered by CLEARSY are used to carry out simulation work and equipment testing on board (OBU), in order to conduct studies and investigations in the ERTMS field.
The simulation integrates trackside components (traffic management, radio RBC, interlocking system, etc.) and on-board components (main vital computer (EVC) and peripherals, Transmission Module STM) via a driving console reproducing an ETCS DMI and an elementary 3D animation.
These systems are used to train EBA/DZSF teams in ETCS.
At DZSF they form the basis of various research projects and case studies, for example for a simpler RBC-Handover for border transition and transferring commissioning tests to the simulation environment.
The deployment of ETCS in Germany has accelerated recently with the increase in aid for its development (Stuttgart line). Coupled with ATO devices (Go A2), ETCS will optimise train speed and reduce delays at stations, as well as bringing environmental benefits.
A new version of the Technical Specification TSI has been published in 2023, EBA investigates and intends to update its laboratory by the implementation with its partner CLEARSY of the new challenges introduced by Baseline 4.