The ambitious introduction of the European Train Control System (ETCS) in the Czech Republic, aimed at enhancing rail safety and replacing outdated tools, has encountered significant challenges, including unexpected train braking, delays, and cancellations. The ETCS, designed to gradually replace incompatible and outdated systems across European Union countries, is a substantial investment costing tens of billions of Czech koruna.

Set to secure operations on key Czech railway corridors, such as the crucial Prague to Ostrava route, starting January 2025, the ETCS is currently grappling with issues. Up to eight failures per day have been reported on the Olomouc to Uničov track, the first in the Czech Republic where trains are exclusively connected to the ETCS. The failures have triggered investigations by authorities, with the aim of identifying and resolving the causes promptly.

Vanda Rajnochová, a spokesperson for Czech Railways, clarified that on tracks with mixed operations, where not all trains are required to use the ETCS, the system’s malfunctions do not impact overall operations. However, the reliability concerns in the Olomouc region are complicating the planned expansion of the ETCS.

The ETCS is a prerequisite for trains in the Czech Republic to travel at speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour, providing enhanced safety features and bolstering track capacity through smoother operation. It warns drivers in the event of unauthorized signal passing and intervenes in vehicle control accordingly, while also monitoring compliance with maximum permitted speeds.

Jiří Kolář, the director of the Railway Authority, has called for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to address the identified issues rather than assigning blame. Expressing concern over the potential impact on safety operations, Kolář emphasized the importance of identifying and resolving the root causes.

Investments into the installation of the ETCS on Railway Administration tracks in the current year alone amount to 2.4 billion Czech koruna. The Ministry of Transport has previously estimated total investments into the ETCS to exceed 50 billion Czech koruna, covering 900 kilometers of tracks, with ongoing construction or preparation on an additional 3.5 thousand kilometers. The ongoing challenges highlight the complexities of transitioning to a unified European security system and the importance of addressing technical issues for the system’s successful implementation.

Article by Prague Forum