RAPIDX: NCRTC Team Successfully Implements Modern Signalling And Train Control System

Telecom Secretary and Digital Communications Commission Chairman K Rajaraman congratulated the NCRTC team on the successful implementation of European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 signalling over the LTE (long term evolution) network.

He said this after viewing the demonstration of the signalling and train control system of the RAPIDX.

ETCS L2 over LTE is also pivotal for making the RAPIDX corridors interoperable. This will allow the RRTS trains to move seamlessly from one corridor to another and will help passengers travel comfortably without the hassle of changing trains through all Phase I corridors.

During the visit, Rajaraman overviewed the features of the state-of-the-art modern RAPIDX trainsets and track designed to travel at the speed of 180 kmph. 

He also had first-hand experience of mission critical voice communication and video application on the train running at high speed of more than 150 kmph.

As India’s first Captive Non-Public Network (CNPN) licence holder, NCRTC sets a new benchmark in communication technology by implementing LTE communication backbone in 700 MHz band for signalling and train control and mission critical voice communication and video application.

The RAPIDX corridor is the first rail-based system in the world to implement a combination of ETCS L2 along with hybrid L3 over LTE radio.

Further, platform screen doors and automatic train operation are being deployed. The system will offer increased safety and higher line capacity. 

Interoperability not only ensures the convenience of the commuters, but also makes the system vendor agnostic, saving significant cost in the implementation of future RAPIDX corridors.

Besides Telecom Secretary, Telecom Member Sanjeev Agrawal, Member Finance Manish Sinha along with other senior DoT officials visited the RAPIDX corridor. NCRTC Managing Director Vinay Kumar Singh accompanied them on this visit.