Briefing Note Document Title: GSM-R Train Radio Systems Document No: Issue: Issue 1 Issue 1 Subject Committee(s): The primary Subject Committees are Operations and Train Control & Communications. The Standards will be presented to the other Subject Committees at the discretion of the Subject Committee Chairman. Issue date: 06 December 2003 Document comes into force: 07 February 2004 GE/GN8580 Train Radio Systems for Voice and Related Messaging Communications Requirements for GSM-R Voice Radio System Guidance for train radio systems for voice and related massaging communications BACKGROUND GSM-R is a UIC Standard that has been developed by European Railway Operators to provide a common technical platform for railway mobile communications, including train radio. The GSM-R system is based on the public GSM standard, but has rail specific functionality such as facilities for railway emergency calls. European Directives, supported by legislation, mandate the use of GSM-R on high-speed TEN routes, and is likely to be included in the conventional interoperability TSI as well. Network Rail is proposing to introduce GSM-R across all of the infrastructure controlled by Network Rail on High Speed TEN routes, conventional TEN routes and other lines. The system will replace both Cab Secure Radio (CSR) and National Radio Network (NRN) systems, in order to provide a single national primary medium for voice and related messaging communication. It is intended that the fixed GSM-R infrastructure will be in place by the end of 2006 and that the operational transition to GSM-R will be completed by the end of 2008. The technical design of the interoperable elements of GSM-R is specified by UIC project European Integrated Railway Radio Enhanced Network (EIRENE). It is important to note that the EIRENE Functional Requirements Specification (FRS) and System Requirements Specification (SRS) contain a number of options for consideration by each country, and that GSM-R systems can be configured in a number of ways to support differing operational concepts. In addition, the FRS and SRS are focused on technical requirements for interoperability and hence should not be considered as a complete end-to-end system specification.
The HSE have published a statement on the relationship between the TSI documents and Railway Group Standards with respect to managing risk to an ALARP position. The statement is summarised below, but is available on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/railways/policystat.htm The Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI) are mandated for application under the Railways (Interoperability)(High Speed) Regulations 2002 which implement the Railways High Speed Interoperability Directive (96/48) and applies to designated lines. The Conventional Interoperability Directive (2001/16) is due for implementation in 2003. Both directives lay down a number of essential requirements for individual subsystems which are generally met through compliance with the TSIs. Where TSIs are silent on an issue or do not cover something in full, relevant national standards are used, in this case Railway Group Standards. Compliance with the TSI on lines where the European Directive is in force, in respect of a subsystem to which it relates is a legal requirement, and such legal requirements take precedence over UK domestics legislation. In practice this means that if there is a direct conflict between the requirements of the TSI and the Health & Safety at Work Act (HSWA) to reduce risk to as low as reasonably practicable, the level imposed by the TSI will take precedence, even if the level of safety imposed by the TSI is lower than that required by HSWA. The TSIs only apply to individual subsystems. Under HSWA and the relevant regulations made thereunder, including the Railways (Safety Case) Regulations, duty holders have a responsibility to ensure that all risks are reduced so far as is reasonably practicable. Where implementation of a TSI might result in a reduction in the overall level of safety, duty holders should consider alternative reasonably practicable means of dealing with any global increase in risk, but without compromising compliance with the TSI. and are the initial issues of Railway Group Standards based upon an emerging technology within the UK. The Standards contain requirements based upon current knowledge of future radio technology and as such will be subject to a review and justification upon completion of the system development work currently in progress, including the package of operations concept framework and migration strategy together with the requirements for lightly trafficked railway lines and the review of the feasibility of continued operation of the existing systems beyond the compliance date. In any event the documents will be subject to a review to commence no later than 12 months after the publication date. Furthermore, taking account of the fact that the Standards deal with emerging technology, they will be subject to a regular cycle of examination and review at a greater frequency than would normally be the case. Train Radio Systems for Voice and Related Messaging Communications. is an evolution of the existing train radio standard GO/RT3410 and mandates the minimum requirements of a train radio system for voice and related messaging communication. Its publication will see the withdrawal of GO/OP0004: Provision of Radio for Shunting Purposes, and GO/RT3410: Train Radio Communication. Arrangements for continued use of radio systems currently mandated by GO/RT3410 are noted in the compliance section of this briefing note, below. refers to performance requirements for train radio systems. The standard does
not mandate GSM-R as the technical solution. The decision to implement a national GSM-R system for the UK has been made by Network Rail; this Railway Group Standard makes provision for any radio system to be used that meets the required performance criteria, whether GSM-R or the next generation of mobile communication technology. However, care has been taken to ensure consistency between this Standard and the EIRENE FRS and SRS. provides mandates for basic functionality to be provided across the network and for additional functionality, for example enhanced call routing using train describer information, to support enhanced operations such as the operation of driver only passenger trains. The mandated requirements have considered recent inquiry recommendations in the area of train radio. Guidance note GE/GN5850 provides further detail on the application of, using the application of GSM-R as examples where appropriate. Requirements for GSM-R Voice Radio System This standard addresses the mandatory requirements for the safe operation of a GSM-R voice radio system, where such a system is implemented. It is necessary that this document be read in consultation with the EIRENE FRS (v.5) and SRS (v.13) that cover the requirements for an interoperable GSM-R system. It should be noted that defines a GSM-R system to be one that is compliant with the EIRENE specifications. KEY CHANGES INTRODUCED BY THESE RAILWAY GROUP STANDARDS Key changes introduced by a) Describes minimum requirements in terms of functionality, so avoiding technology based requirements. b) Describes requirements for operational enhancements, such as driver only operation. c) Coverage requirements call for all locations to provide adequate coverage. d) Text/fax facilities are permitted by the Standard, but company policy and training requirements on the use of radio system will need to be designed to avoid distraction. In particular, drivers must be trained to use their discretion in choosing to respond to calls. (This will be further addressed in drafting the operation rules.) e) The standard provides a high-level requirement to manage the migration from an existing to a new system. f) Permits operators whose trains run mostly on other networks (eg LUL or Tyne & Wear) to use their own system if basic safety requirements are met. g) Short section on shunting radios to replace GO/OP0004. Permits either separate shunting radios or the train radio system (eg GSM-R) to be used. Key changes introduced by a) Mandates the requirements to be implemented when GSM-R is selected as a means of meeting the performance requirements defined in. b) Enables Railway Group members to take advantage of GSM-R functionality. c) Describes the requirements for the distribution and security of SIM cards.
d) Gives direction in the safe use of group call functionality under normal working arrangements. e) Sets out requirements where operational hand portable GSM-R handsets are used. f) Sets out the role of GSM-R in association with engineering activities. COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS Both and apply to train operators and the infrastructure controller and have fairly detailed compliance requirements. also applies to station operators where GSM-R technology is used. The existing radio systems (CSR and NRN) are to be replaced no later than 31 December 2008. As a result the final compliance date for the two new standards has been set as 1 January 2009 This Standard does not require existing radio systems to be upgraded to meet the new, more stringent, requirements other than where work is being undertaken to significantly upgrade the system, prior to 1 January 2009. Although GO/RT3410 is replaced by from the implementation date of August 2003, it is recognised that the current radio systems mandated in GO/RT3410: a) are not fully compliant with all measures contained in b) will continue in use for many years prior to replacement by new systems c) may require modifications (for example, hardware or software upgrades) prior to full replacement simply to keep them functioning. The application of the document as detailed in Part 2 has been structured so as to permit the current radio systems mandated in GO/RT3410 to: a) continue in operation prior to replacement until 1 January 2009 b) be modified to maintain current levels of operation, without having to subsequently meet the full requirements of the new Standard. It is required that all train radio systems are compliant with the full requirements of by 1 January 2009. Where new radio systems are being introduced, they will need to meet the requirements of this Standard from 6 February 2004. The requirements of this standard are to be complied from 6 February 2004 where GSM-R is installed in compliance with the EU directive and the EIRENE specification. The requirements of section 3.5 in relation to engineering works have an exception to the general compliance date. The requirements of this section are to be complied with no later than 1 January 2009.
NON-COMPLIANCES AUTHORISED BY RAIL SAFETY AND STANDARDS BOARD The following non-compliances apply to the current issue of GO/RT3410, but are not addressed by the issue of, so will be carried forward: 01/074/DGN for Nexus. Applies to the operation of existing Metro units between Sunderland and Pelaw. 01/156/TNC for London Underground Ltd. Applies to the running of District Line and Bakerloo Line stock on RCI. 02/128/DGN for Network Rail, Chiltern Railways, Thames Trains and First Great Western. Applies to the use of GSM-P on specific routes. All other derogations and non-compliances have expired. NOTIFICATION IN THE CONTEXT OF EUROPEAN DIRECTIVES FOR INTEROPERABILITY OF RAIL SYSTEMS Standards and are intended to be notified under both the highspeed and conventional directives for interoperability. The guidance note, GE/GN8580, is not intended to be notified under either the high-speed or the conventional directive for interoperability.