Enhancing capacity on ETCS Level 2 lines in Austria

The European Train Control System (ETCS) is also applied in the network of Austrian Railways (ÖBB). In ETCS Level 2 it is possible to skip conventional trackside signals. This opportunity is very useful on recently built new high speed lines. Level 2 allows to increase capacity by adding additional blocks even on existing lines. This paper presents the potential increase of capacity on the high speed line between Vienna and St. Pölten which has been opened in the year 2012 and is operated by ETCS Level 2. Trackside signals are only used as a fall back option. Simulation software OPENTRACK has been applied to calculate headways for different block layouts. Results are presented in this paper and look promising for an increase of capacity on railway lines.