In Switzerland, an operating licence from the Federal Office of Transport (FOT) is required for the commercial operation of vehicles equipped with ETCS. Based on FOT official specifications and national requirements, safety certificates and tests are required to check the functionality and over-all safety between on-board and trackside ETCS components. SBB Infrastructure and its specialists can help you to obtain ETCS approval.

The ETCS tests are divided into operational interoperability tests (IOP) and product tests:

Operational interoperability tests (mandatory).

The operational interoperability tests (IOP) and the safety demonstration are based on the national requirement "Voraussetzung für den Einsatz von Fahrzeugen auf ETCS-Strecken" (Prerequisite for the use of rolling stock on ETCS lines) CH-TSI CCS-001. They are mandatory in order to obtain an operating licence for commercial traffic services in Switzerland. On behalf of the FOT, SBB Infra-structure will carry out the operational interoperability tests and the safety demonstration on a non-discriminatory basis between all the parties involved.

Product tests (optional).

For vehicles with new ETCS products or functions to be tested on existing systems, product tests can be conducted on the Swiss standard gauge network. These tests are carried out in close coordi-nation between the bodies involved and can serve as preparation for later approval.

Examples of product tests:

• Tests to obtain generic type approval.
• Test drives with overspeed.
• Test drives for vehicles intended for use abroad.

The benefits for you.

• Support with all the testing activities required to obtain ETCS approval in Switzerland.
• Benefit from SBB's many years of extensive experience with ETCS.
• A lean process - everything from a single source.

Would you like more information on the safety certificates and tests? Would you like to know exact-ly how the test activities are carried out? Contact us!