GSM-R

A sub-system of European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), it is used for communication between train and railway regulation control centers.

The system is based on GSM and EIRENE – MORANE specifications which guarantee performance at speeds up to 500 km/h (310 mph), without any communication loss.

[7] The standard is the result of over ten years of collaboration between the various European railway companies, with the goal of achieving interoperability using a single communication platform.

The specifications were finalized in 2000, based on the European Union-funded MORANE (Mobile Radio for Railways Networks in Europe) project.

GSM-R is a secure platform for voice and data communication between railway operational staff, including drivers, dispatchers, shunting team members, train engineers, and station controllers.

GSM-R is typically implemented using dedicated base station masts close to the railway, with tunnel coverage effected using directional antennae or 'leaky' feeder transmission.

Europe includes the CEPT member states, which include all EU members and Albania, Andorra, Azerbaijan, Bosnia Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Moldavia, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and Vatican City.

Each TDMA frame is divided in 8 time slots, named logical channels (577 μs long, each time-slot), carrying 148 bits of information.

[19] As a result, there is an increasing trend towards monitoring and managing GSM-R interference using active and automated testing on board trains and trackside.

GSM-R permits new services and applications for mobile communications in several domains: It is used to transmit data between trains and railway regulation centers with level 2 and 3 of ETCS.

Different groups make up the GSM-R market:[25][needs update] Transport NSW is installing a Digital Train Radio System (DTRS) throughout the 1,455-kilometre (904 mi) electrified rail network, including 66 tunnels covering 70 kilometres (43 mi), bounded by Kiama, Macarthur, Lithgow, Bondi Junction and Newcastle with GSM-R to replace the existing analogue MetroNet train radio.

The replacement will fulfil recommendations from the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Waterfall rail accident to provide a common platform of communication for staff working on the railway.

[30]In France, the first commercial railway route opened with full GSM-R coverage is the LGV Est européenne linking Paris Gare de l'Est to Strasbourg.

As of spring 2016[update], the only areas of UK Network Rail still currently employing VHF train radio communications are on sections of the Highland and Far North lines in Scotland, where the Radio Electronic Token Block system is utilised, using modified Ofcom frequencies around 180 MHz, having been de-scoped from the National GSM-R plan, due to practical difficulties involved in deploying the GSM-R system in this region.

GSM-R mast and cabinet, Abergavenny, Wales
GSM-R Repeater at Dean Clough, Bolton, NW England
GSM-R directional antennas pointing into the east end of the Freudenstein tunnel, Germany
GSM-R 'Shark's-Fin' Mobile Antenna as fitted to a substantial amount of UK rail motive power
Cab mounted GSM-R radio panel
A GSM-R mobile phone used by the National Railway Company of Belgium
Portable GSM-R Cab Radio system
Compact GSM-R Cab Radio
Dual Mode Cab Radio (GSM-R and UIC 751–3) as 19“ rack
A graphical GSM-R cab radio interface – capable of displaying different languages
GSM-R user interface with colour display
GSM-R control panel for SBB
TGV POS , linking Paris to Germany and Switzerland
ICE 3M at Gare de l'Est in Paris
Siemens UK GSM-R Cab Radio fitted on a Northern Rail Sprinter DMU
GSM-R Trackside Telephone
DAC Limited GSM-R Trackside Telephone in North Wales