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ETCS and ERTMS High Speed ​​Course

Online course of 300 hours in ETCS and ERTMS for high-speed rail, structured in 6 modules covering ERTMS architecture, ETCS levels and modes, braking curves and supervision, trackside engineering, testing and certification under Regulation (EU) 2023/1695, SUBSET-026 and Directive (EU) 2016/797, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration3 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the architecture and components of ERTMS.

02

Differentiate between ETCS levels and operating modes.

03

Calculate braking curves and speed supervision.

04

Design the trackside engineering of an ETCS system.

05

Plan interoperability testing and certification.

06

Manage coexistence with national systems.

07

Develop an ERTMS implementation plan for a high-speed line.

Profile

Who it's for

  • ERTMS engineers.
  • Signalling engineers moving into high-speed systems.
  • Railway test engineers.
  • Safety assessors.
  • On-board integration engineers.
  • Interoperability consultants.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the high-speed rail sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • Regulation (EU) 2023/1695 (Control-Command and Signalling TSI)
  • SUBSET-026 (ETCS System Requirements Specification)
  • Directive (EU) 2016/797 (interoperability of the rail system)
  • UNE-EN 50126-1 (railway applications: RAMS)
  • UNE-EN 50128 (software for railway control and protection systems)
  • UNE-EN 50129 (safety-related electronic systems for signalling)
  • UNE-EN 50159 (safety-related communication in transmission systems)
  • SUBSET-023 (Glossary of ERTMS/ETCS Terms and Abbreviations)
  • ERA Braking Curves Simulation Tool
  • OpenTrack
  • RailSys
  • MATLAB/Simulink
  • Enterprise Architect
Syllabus

6 modules

  1. 1.1Origins and objectives of ERTMS
  2. 1.2Components: ETCS, GSM-R and FRMCS
  3. 1.3On-board and trackside subsystems
  4. 1.4EVC, DMI, BTM and odometry
  5. 1.5Eurobalises and LEU
  6. 1.6Radio Block Centre
  7. 1.7SUBSET specifications and Baseline 3
  8. 1.8Deployment across the European network
  9. 1.9ERTMS on Spanish high-speed lines
  10. 1.10Case study: ERTMS architecture of the Madrid–Barcelona line
  1. 2.1ETCS Level 1 and Euroloop
  2. 2.2ETCS Level 2 with RBC
  3. 2.3Level 3 and moving block
  4. 2.4ETCS Hybrid Level 3
  5. 2.5Operating modes: FS, OS, SR and SH
  6. 2.6Level and mode transitions
  7. 2.7STM and national systems
  8. 2.8Coexistence with ASFA and LZB
  9. 2.9Management of degraded modes
  10. 2.10Practical exercise: level transition sequence at a border
  1. 3.1Movement authority
  2. 3.2Static speed profiles
  3. 3.3The ETCS braking model
  4. 3.4Indication, permitted and warning curves
  5. 3.5Brake intervention
  6. 3.6Gradients and track data
  7. 3.7Release distances and danger point
  8. 3.8Train parameters
  9. 3.9Impact on capacity
  10. 3.10Lab: calculation of ETCS braking curves
  1. 4.1Balise data engineering
  2. 4.2Balise groups and telegrams
  3. 4.3RBC configuration
  4. 4.4Interfaces with the interlocking
  5. 4.5GSM-R radio coverage on high-speed lines
  6. 4.6Migration to FRMCS
  7. 4.7Key management and security
  8. 4.8ATO over ETCS
  9. 4.9Transition design
  10. 4.10Workshop: design of a balise group
  1. 5.1Laboratory and integration testing
  2. 5.2On-track tests and dynamic test campaigns
  3. 5.3Interoperability and EC verification
  4. 5.4Notified bodies and assessors
  5. 5.5Authorisation for placing in service
  6. 5.6Juridical recorders and incident analysis
  7. 5.7Train driver training
  8. 5.8Maintenance of ERTMS equipment
  9. 5.9Lessons from European deployments
  10. 5.10Case study: analysis of a JRU record
  1. 6.1Selection of the high-speed line
  2. 6.2Choice of ETCS level
  3. 6.3Trackside and on-board architecture
  4. 6.4Transition design
  5. 6.5Capacity calculation with ETCS
  6. 6.6Testing and certification plan
  7. 6.7Migration and coexistence plan
  8. 6.8Implementation budget
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

The course is delivered 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ERA Braking Curves Simulation Tool, OpenTrack, RailSys, MATLAB/Simulink and Enterprise Architect, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for designing ETCS level transitions, calculating braking curves and analysing train juridical records. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: Regulation (EU) 2023/1695 (CCS TSI), SUBSET-026, Directive (EU) 2016/797, UNE-EN 50126-1, UNE-EN 50128, UNE-EN 50129, UNE-EN 50159, SUBSET-023.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of Regulation (EU) 2023/1695, SUBSET-026 and Directive (EU) 2016/797 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:ERA Braking Curves Simulation Tool, OpenTrack, RailSys, MATLAB/Simulink, Enterprise Architect, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:an ERTMS implementation plan for a high-speed line, from ETCS level choice and architecture to capacity, testing, migration and budget, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Level transition sequence
Design the ETCS level transition sequence at a border.
Braking curve calculation
Calculate the ETCS braking curves for a given train and track profile.
Balise group design
Design a balise group and its telegrams.
JRU record analysis
Analyse a juridical recorder log to reconstruct an event.
Final project
Develop an ERTMS implementation plan for a high-speed line, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

ERTMS engineerSignalling engineerRailway test engineerSafety assessorOn-board integration engineerInteroperability consultant
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification is required.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with ERA Braking Curves Simulation Tool, OpenTrack, RailSys, MATLAB/Simulink, Enterprise Architect, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

No prior qualification is required: you only need a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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