China Launches First Overseas High-speed Train Control Technology Lab

The ETCS-2 Laboratory, China's first overseas high-speed train control laboratory specially designed for the Hungary-Serbia High-speed Railway, was recently launched in Belgrade, capital of Serbia.

Built by China Railway Signal & Communication Co., Ltd. (CRSC), the lab will be able to obtain high-speed railway construction experiences of China and will offer core technical support for the Hungary-Serbia railway which was built to the standards of the ETCS-2 and train control system.

The train control system is the "brain" and "central nervous system" of high-speed rail and is the core technology guaranteeing safe and efficient train travel.

The lab, covering about 140 sq m, has three sections - a core equipment zone, an operation area and a central exhibition zone, in which all signal systems and advanced technological devices meet European technical standards.

In addition, the entire command and operational control system of the trains are shown at the lab. 

The lab also shoulders missions such as system function testing, interface testing, connection testing and control data delivery testing, which largely reduces the on-site work and at the same time guarantees the construction of the railway.

In the future, it is expected to become an operation and maintenance base for signal equipment and home to the training of the relevant technical workers.

Preparation of lab's construction began in March 2019. The lab is intended to evolve into a fully functional source of train control systems. 

The first phase of the project aimed to complete the basic functions of the signaling part of the ETCS-2 level control system and the Global System for Mobile Communications-Railway (GSM-R). The ATP on-board train control system will be added in the second phase.

All equipment in the lab was developed by CRSC under EN50126/50128/50129 standards commonly used in Europe and have passed third party tests.

The devices have also obtained certifications of the Technical Specification for Interoperability (TSI) and Serbia's DeBo, which means the signal system of the lab meets industrial demands in aspects of safety and reliability.

Signal equipment developed by CRSC has been used in Chinese rail transportation for a long time and fully met the demands of railway operations. According to long-term collected data, indexes of both safety and reliability have reached an internationally leading level.

Being a key trans-border infrastructure construction under the frame of the Belt and Road Initiative, construction of the Hungary-Serbia railway is the first China-made high-speed railway project in Europe. It plays a significant role in "going global" of the packaged technology and equipment of Chinese high-speed railways.

In addition, CRSC is the integrator of the communication and signal information system of the section between Belgrade Central Station and Stara Pazova in Serbia.

The ETCS-2 Laboratory, China's first overseas high-speed train control laboratory specially designed for the Hungary-Serbia High-speed Railway, is launched in Belgrade, capital of Serbia. [Photo/China Railway Signal & Communication Co., Ltd.]

(Executive editor: Hao Wen)