Introduction

Railway signalling systems include the centralized traffic control (CTC), train control system
(TCS), computer-based interlocking (CBI), non-insulated frequency shift track circuit (ZPW-
2000), and other signalling assistance systems. In order to ensure the safety and efficiency of
train operation and to meet the requirements of modern technical development in railways,
the concept of CTCS was put forward in 2002 as the technical standard of Chinese train
control systems by the Chinese Railway Ministry .There are 71,500 kilometers of line in
operation in Chinese railways. With the development of the Chinese Economy, it is estimated
that at least another 20,000 kilometers railway line is needed and will be constructed. It is
needed that signalling systems for high speed lines and conventional lines, passenger lines
and freight lines are unified as standardization, i.e. CTCS.
Chinese Railway Train Control System (CTCS)

The Chinese Train Control System is a train control system used on railway lines in People's
Republic of China. CTCS is similar to the European Train Control System (ETCS).It has two
subsystems: ground subsystem and onboard subsystem. The ground subsystem may based
on balise, track circuit, radio communication network (GSM-R), and Radio Block Center
(RBC). The onboard subsystem includes onboard computer and communication module.
The Target of CTCS is to
 Improve safety and transportation efficiency
 Meet interoperability, and system design specifications
 Classification system to meet development needs
CTCS will become the standard of the signalling systems in Chinese Railways. The existing
signalling systems will be interoperable with the new signalling systems. In the future, all
signalling systems, imported systems or home-made systems, wayside systems or on-board
systems must be in line with the CTCS standardization.
The Chinese railway network is a mixture of legacy railways and high speed railways. The
rapid development of Chinese railways, especially high speed railways, requires adaptive
development of CTCS .The development of CTCS should be based on unified standards with
the following key requirements:

 Covering all Chinese railway systems;

 Suitable for Chinese railway operating rules;
 Compatible with existing signalling facilities;
 Compatible with potential international standards;
  Potential to be extended for future needs.

It is needed that signalling systems for high speed lines and conventional lines, passenger
lines and freight lines are unified as standardization, i.e. CTCS.

Based on the present situation of signalling system on Chinese Railway Network, CTCS will
be divided into the several levels (5 levels)

CTCS  Based on the GSM-R platform of wireless communication, it cancels the

LEVEL 4 track circuit, achieves virtual / mobile block
 highest level for CTCS and GPS or transponders are used for train position
 The direction of development in the future
CTCS  Based on the GSM-R platform of wireless communication, the locomotive
LEVEL 3 crew drive the train with the help of cab signal，equipped on-board
equipment of ATP which based on 2x2 take 2 vital computers.
 for high–speed railway of above 250km/h(160mph, track circuit are used
as redundant system to CTCS-3
CTCS  Based on the Balise and the track circuit transmission, the locomotive crew
LEVEL 2 drive the train with the help of cab signal，equipped on-board equipment
of ATP which based on 2x2 take 2 vital computer
 It has been used in current 200-250km/h line, equipped ZPW-2000A type
track circuit
CTCS  Consist of the main cab signal and security operation monitoring and
LEVEL 1 recording devicesLKJ-2000 +ATP+
 Equipped Localization track circuit of ZPW-2000 and balsie
CTCS  Consist of universal cab signal, the monitoring and recording devices
LEVEL 0  equipped domestic track circuit, basic mode for CTCS
 Apply to existing railway lines