WP44/45 Moving Block Demonstrator

The Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking is working toward a harmonised and more efficient European railway system through automation and digitalisation. Within FP2 R2DATO, several industry partners (Hitachi, Alstom, DB, SBB, ÖBB, etc.) are developing a demonstrator for a future traffic control and supervision system based on a new geometric, train-oriented safety logic. Unlike today’s fixed-point-based safety systems (signals, marker boards), this approach authorizes train movements dynamically, without predefined points, simplifying planning, reducing engineering effort, and potentially increasing capacity. The system also allows multiple trains to use the same track circuit when integrity monitoring is available.

The demonstrator, tested at DB’s digital testbed in the Ore Mountains (Germany), is built around three components: a digital register (data storage/distribution), a plan execution system (converting timetables into movement requests), and the European Trackside Protection System (safety core granting or rejecting movement permissions). Hitachi provides the plan execution system and and the European Trackside Protection System.

Both simulation and field tests are used. Simulation enables early, cost-efficient, and automated testing, while field tests validate functionalities that cannot be simulated, such as real-world radio communication (FMRCS) and switch control. Two test vehicles equipped with ETCS onboard units are used.

The results demonstrate that the new architecture and safety logic work reliably in real-world conditions and can increase capacity by enabling operations at absolute braking distances, contributing to a more efficient and modern European railway system.