TSC to build new mobile app for Belgian Class B system (TBL1+)

TBL1+ as an App

TheSignallingCompany (TSC), the company designing a digital ETCS OnBoard Solution, announced today it is also developing an App functioning as TBL1+, the Belgian Class B system. The aim is to have the TBL1+ functionality available as an App, meaning it can be downloaded onto any railway vehicle and upgraded or maintained as necessary without manual labor required. The App will be developed in the coming two years and launched in 2024. Lineas, the largest private rail freight company in Europe and early customer of TSC, has already ordered the App.

The TBL1+ App will be the first in its kind in Europe and any future locomotive, from Lineas or other customers, will be able to download the TBL1+ App from the Railway App Store, which is also under construction within TheSignallingCompany. The App addresses some key challenges Railway Undertakings are facing today by introducing automated and dematerialized Specific Transmission Modules (STMs).

Lineas launch costumer

Lineas has placed an order at TheSignallingCompany to design, manufacture and certify the TBL1+ App, to work fully integrated with the TheSignallingCompany ETCS Solution. It will be installed together with the digital OBU into 88 locomotives as from 2024. The development process for the application itself will take 2 years. The TBL1+ App will be maintained and upgraded as needed as part of the contract until 2036.

TheSignallingCompany is also in talks with several organizations and clients for developing other STM’s for Class B systems to be added to the portfolio of Apps TheSignallingCompany is developing. TheSignallingCompany and CAF Signalling launched an open cooperation on Class B Systems in December 2020. Other Apps, such as ATO and DAC, are being discussed as well.

Bruno Vanlede, Locomotive Fleet Manager at Lineas, commented: “As Lineas we’re delighted that our ETCS supplier has proposed and validated the development of a TBL1+ App for Belgium, amongst other future innovative Apps that will be available in their new Railway App Store. This is an important step into the digitalization of the Rail sector as much less hardware will be needed on the loco and more performant technology to operate wider, faster and in a more cost-efficiency way will be available for all of us!”

Railway App Store

To house the App, TSC is also developing its Railway App Store. The platform will be the home to other Apps providing functionalities of Class B systems, ATO, DAC or other game changers, contributing to the ERTMS deployment in Europe.

The platform will allow for industrializing the implementation of ERTMS, moving away from a project approach toward a product approach and by ensuring maintainability and upgradeability by design of the signalling system and functions.

TheSignallingCompany is proud to be able to play its part into the digital future of Europe’s railway system and the EU Green Deal. It would also like thank Infrabel for having published complete system requirements specifications of TBL1+, ensuring a competitive market for TBL1+ STMs, in compliance with the European deployment plan requirements.

End of press release