Generic ETCS Driver’s Handbook

Acknowledging the lack of a harmonized manual for the use of ETCS, ERA developed in 2020 and made publicly available for free download through this website a generic ETCS Driver’s Handbook. This version 1 of the Handbook concerned Baseline 3 On-board Units (OBUs). 

To cover OBUs with the latest Baseline 4 specifications (introduced under CCS TSI 2023, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1695), a new version 2 of this Handbook is now available. 

On top of OBUs built to Baseline 4 Release 1 specifications (SRS 4.0.0), this new version 2 of the Handbook also integrates both Baseline 3 software versions (SRS 3.4.0 and SRS 3.6.0) of previous version 1. The codification scheme of the previous version 1 has been extended accordingly to accommodate these. 

The Handbook covers all possible operated system versions X.Y (1.1 to 3.0), all operating levels, modes and screen technologies. It also considers the harmonised rules and other modalities defined in OPE TSI 2019 (Reg. 2019/773) and in particular Appendices A and C thereof. 

It is provided in open-source MS Word and HTML versions, in English. At a later stage it will be also available in French and German. 

This Handbook is meant to serve the following uses (indicative list):

• Be a reference user’s manual for all possible B3 or B4 OBU configurations;
• Be used to derive dedicated drivers’ manuals for specific OBU implementations in specific rolling stock types;
• Constitute a comprehensive harmonized tutorial for drivers’ training purposes;
• Serve to elaborate questions for drivers’ competence certification; 

The new version 2 of the Handbook features the following improvements and additional functionalities over the previous version 1:

• Novel interactive tools for the HTML version, making it easier to navigate and ensuring a better overall user experience:
  • Search function facilitating quick access
  • Animated chronograms showing DMI display evolution in various situations
  • Video plug-ins demonstrating common driver actions
• Online web-based application 

In addition, a table of all Handbook entries is now made available, allowing them to be traced back to the reference documents. 

When using the MS Word version of the Handbook for a specific rolling-stock type fitted with a specific ETCS OBU, it is advisable to customize it so that only information relevant to that specific configuration is provided to the user. Such customization can be carried out by applying the instructions contained in the Customization & Maintenance Guide.

Users can also complement the Handbook (MS Word and HTML version) with additional information concerning the specific rolling stock on which the OBU is installed, potential Class B system instructions or applicable company rules. Advice on how to do so while respecting the overall coherence of the Handbook is also included in the Customization & Maintenance Guide.

An HTML Guide is equally provided explaining how to download, configure and use the HTML version offline in a digital medium (e.g. a tablet). This version may either be configured by the end users themselves or be customized before being handed over to them; both options are equally covered in the Guide. 

It is underlined that the Handbook contains no new specifications compared to the referenced CCS TSI and OPE TSI; it only extracts out of the existing specifications those parts that are relevant to the driver and present them to him/her in a concise and user-friendly manner. 

Version 1 of the generic ETCS Driver’s Handbook was compiled by INECO SA while Version 2 thereof has been updated and further enhanced by TRANSURB SA under a contract with ERA, with guidance from the operational experts of the ERTMS Operational Harmonization (OH) workgroup of ERA. 

Although every effort has been made to eliminate all errors, some may still persist. The documents are therefore provided without any guarantee about their accuracy or completeness. Users are invited to report to ERA any deficiencies or other suggestions for improvement.