Navigation

News

GSM-R terminals only with a new authorization

23.11.2020

From October 31, 2020, i.e the date of entry into force of the 4th railway package, installing new on-board GSM-R voice equipment requires obtaining a new permit for a railway vehicle. Currently all new, renewed and modernized traction vehicles (locomotives and electric and diesel multiple units) intended for operation on the main railway network should be equipped with on-board GSM-R communication system.

On October 31, 2020, as a part of the technical pillar of the 4th railway package, the Regulation 545/2018 on practical arrangements for the railway vehicle authorisation and railway vehicle type authorisation, entered into force. Any modification in a railway vehicle made after entry into force of this Regulation will require obtaining a new authorization for placing on the market, in accordance with the requirements of TSI Control Command and Signalling (TSI CCS). Any change related to the GSM-R radio system (according to Table 7.1 of the revised TSI CCS) will affect its basic characteristics and thus require a new authorization.

In such a case, after retrofitting a vehicle with on-board GSM-R equipment, an entity which holds an authorisation will have to apply to the President of the Office of Rail Transport for a new decision which will cover the newly installed components. An EC verification of a vehicle will cover a radio-voice communication component of the Control-Command and Signalling On-board subsystem. If an installation of a radiotelephone will involve an installation of the antenna, it might be necessary to test some parameters of the rolling stock subsystem, especially the gauge of rolling stock.

After installing the GSM-R/VHF radiotelephone, the parameters of the rolling stock subsystem can be verified by the contractor which retrofit vehicles (on their own responsibility) or a Notified Body can be commissioned to assess them (without issuing an EC verification certificate). However, it will be necessary to update technical documentation of a retroffited vehicle.

Legal basis

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/545 of 4 April 2018 establishing practical arrangements for the railway vehicle authorisation and railway vehicle type authorisation process pursuant to Directive (EU) 2016/797 of the European Parliament and of the Council

 

go up