Global Rail 2025: Conference – Bridging the Interoperability Gap: ERTMS for Advanced Metro Application
Global Rail 2025: Conference – Bridging the Interoperability Gap: ERTMS for Advanced Metro Application
Download Frederic’s conference paper : The Future of Metro Signaling – Convergence of CBTC and ERTMS EN
On 30 September 2025, at the Global Rail 2025 Conference in Abu Dhabi, , Head of Bidding and Innovation at Compagnie des Signaux, delivered a forward-looking presentation titled “Bridging the Interoperability Gap: Leveraging ERTMS for Advanced CBTC Metro Applications.”
Key Themes of the Presentation
The session focused on how ERTMS Level 2 Baseline 4, traditionally associated with high-speed and regional rail, is evolving to meet the demands of automated metro systems. Frédéric highlighted the convergence between ERTMS and CBTC, two historically distinct signaling technologies, and explained why this convergence is critical for future urban mobility.
Main Points:
- Enhanced Interoperability: ERTMS offers a standardized framework that enables seamless integration across metro, regional, and national networks.
- Cost Efficiency: Significant reductions in CAPEX/OPEX through minimized ground infrastructure and standardized components.
- Technological Sustainability: Long-term viability ensured by European standardization efforts under Shift2Rail and Europe’s Rail programs.
- Operational Performance: Comparable headways and automation levels (GoA4) to CBTC, supported by ATO and FRMCS (5G) for reliable, low-latency communication.
Practical Insights
The presentation included clear visuals and case studies, such as the MARS project, to demonstrate real-world applications of ERTMS in metro environments. These examples illustrated how ERTMS 2 Baseline 4 can deliver:
- Moving block operations for higher capacity
- Integrated Automatic Train Operation (ATO)
- Advanced onboard localization and Train Integrity Monitoring System (TIMS)
Strategic Impact
By promoting ERTMS as a credible alternative to CBTC for metro networks, Frédéric positioned Compagnie des Signaux as a key player in shaping the future of rail signaling. His intervention reinforced the company’s commitment to innovation and interoperability, aligning with global trends toward unified signaling standards.
Download Frederic’s conference paper : The Future of Metro Signaling – Convergence of CBTC and ERTMS EN
