This is the initiative from EC to create a unique signaling standard as a cornerstone for the achievement of the interoperability of the trans-European rail network and is likely to be adopted by the rest of the world as well.

The ERTMS system aims at two major functional aspects:

Ensures safe operation of the trains in the network

Deals with the traffic and infrastructure management issues to enable the optimisation of the capacity of the lines and the utilisation of the fleet

	Interoperability
	Highest speeds up to 500 km/hr
	Automatic Train Protection (ATP)
	Smaller Headways
	Moving Block Operation (Level 3)