European Railway Agency
ETCS Driver's handbook

Reversing (RV)

RV-[L123].1Reversing mode (RV) enables the driver to change the direction of movement of the train and drive from the same cab.

This mode is used to allow the driver to escape from a dangerous situation and move to a safer location as fast as possible.

The driver can only use the RV mode when indicated by the trackside. The reverse movement is defined by a maximum distance and speed limit, which are also received from the trackside.

To achieve a proper supervision of the reverse movement in the direction opposite to the train orientation, the train speed, the permitted speed and the remaining distance to run are always displayed.

RV.ENTEntry in RV mode (ENT)

RV.ENT-[L123].1The driver is informed that Reversing mode can be activated when a train is at standstill and the Reversing permitted symbol (ST06) is displayed. The ST06 symbol indicates that the train is within a reversing area.

ST06: Reversing permitted

RV.ENT-[L1.T].1The Figure RV.ENT-[L1.T].F1 shows an example of the DMI screen with the announcement of Reversing permitted.

Figure RV.ENT-[L1.T].F1: Reversing permitted symbol (touch screen technology)

RV.ENT-[L23.T].1The Figure RV.ENT-[L23.T].F1 shows an example of the DMI screen with the announcement of Reversing permitted.

Figure RV.ENT-[L23.T].F1: Reversing permitted symbol (touch screen technology)

RV.ENT-[L1.S].1The Figure RV.ENT-[L1.S].F1 shows an example of the DMI screen with the announcement of Reversing permitted.

Figure RV.ENT-[L1.S].F1: Reversing permitted symbol (soft key technology)

RV.ENT-[L23.S].1The Figure RV.ENT-[L23.S].F1 shows an example of the DMI screen with the announcement of Reversing permitted.

Figure RV.ENT-[L23.S].F1: Reversing permitted symbol (soft key technology)

RV.ENT-[L123.V].1If the train has to be moved in the reverse direction inside an emergency propelling area, when the Reversing permitted symbol (ST06) is displayed, the driver shall indicate to the ETCS on-board equipment the intention to reverse (e.g. direction controller in reverse position).

RV.ENT-[L123].2When the Acknowledgement for Reversing symbol (MO15) is displayed with a flashing frame, it is indicating that the ETCS on-board equipment has detected the driver“s intention to reverse. If the train must be moved in the reverse direction inside an emergency propelling area, the driver shall acknowledge the transition to RV mode.

MO15: Acknowledgement for Reversing

RV.ENT-[L1.T].2To acknowledge the RV mode, the driver shall press the button with flashing frame as indicated in Figure RV.ENT-[L1.T].F2.

Figure RV.ENT-[L1.T].F2: Acknowledgement for Reversing button (touch screen technology)

RV.ENT-[L23.T].2To acknowledge the RV mode, the driver shall press the button with flashing frame as indicated in Figure RV.ENT-[L23.T].F2.

Figure RV.ENT-[L23.T].F2: Acknowledgement for Reversing button (touch screen technology)

RV.ENT-[L1.S].2To acknowledge the RV mode, the driver shall press the button with a flashing frame associated to the Acknowledgement for RV symbol (MO15) as indicated in Figure RV.ENT-[L1.S].F2.

Figure RV.ENT-[L1.S].F2: Acknowledgement for Reversing button (soft key technology)

RV.ENT-[L23.S].2To acknowledge the RV mode, the driver shall press the button with a flashing frame associated to the Acknowledgement for RV symbol (MO15) as indicated in Figure RV.ENT-[L23.S].F2.

Figure RV.ENT-[L23.S].F2: Acknowledgement for Reversing button (soft key technology)

RV.ENT-[L123].3When the driver acknowledges the transition to RV mode is performed.

RV.RUNRunning in RV (RUN)

RV.RUN-[L123.N].1When the Reversing symbol (MO14) is displayed the driver shall propel the train according to the non-harmonised rules.

MO14: Reversing

RV.RUN-[L123].1In addition, when the Reversing symbol (MO14) is displayed, the driver shall not exceed the maximum speed for RV.

The driver is responsible for keeping the train movement inside the received distance to run in the reverse direction.

In RV mode the permitted distance and maximum speed to run in RV mode can be modified by the trackside. In this case, the information displayed in the DMI is updated.

RV.RUN-[L1.T].1The Figure RV.RUN-[L1.T].F1 shows an example of a DMI screen where the permitted distance and maximum speed indications to run in RV mode are displayed.

Figure RV.RUN-[L1.T].F1: Maximum speed and permitted distance indications to run in RV mode (touch screen technology)

RV.RUN-[L23.T].1The Figure RV.RUN-[L23.T].F1 shows an example of a DMI screen where the permitted distance and maximum speed indications to run in RV mode are displayed.

Figure RV.RUN-[L23.T].F1: Maximum speed and permitted distance indications to run in RV mode (touch screen technology)

RV.RUN-[L1.S].1The Figure RV.RUN-[L1.S].F1 shows an example of a DMI screen where the permitted distance and maximum speed indications to run in RV mode are displayed.

Figure RV.RUN-[L1.S].F1: Maximum speed and permitted distance indications to run in RV mode (soft key technology)

RV.RUN-[L23.S].1The Figure RV.RUN-[L23.S].F1 shows an example of a DMI screen where the permitted distance and maximum speed indications to run in RV mode are displayed.

Figure RV.RUN-[L23.S].F1: Maximum speed and permitted distance indications to run in RV mode (soft key technology)

RV.RUN-[L123].2If the driver exceeds the permitted distance in RV, the brake is applied and the text message “RV distance exceeded” is presented to the driver. The driver shall:

  1. report the situation to the signaller,
  2. acknowledge the brake command at standstill if the permitted distance in RV has not been extended,
  3. release the brake.

RV.RUN-[L1.T].2The Figure RV.RUN-[L1.T].F2 shows an example of a DMI screen where the permitted distance to run in RV is exceed and consequently, the brake command is triggered and the text message “RV distance exceeded” is displayed.

Figure RV.RUN-[L1.T].F2: Brake command active and text message “RV distance exceeded” displayed (touch screen technology)

RV.RUN-[L23.T].2The Figure RV.RUN-[L23.T].F2 shows an example of a DMI screen where the permitted distance to run in RV is exceed and consequently, the brake command is triggered and the text message “RV distance exceeded” is displayed.

Figure RV.RUN-[L23.T].F2: Brake command active and text message “RV distance exceeded” displayed (touch screen technology)

RV.RUN-[L1.S].2The Figure RV.RUN-[L1.S].F2 shows an example of a DMI screen where the permitted distance to run in RV is exceed and consequently, the brake command is triggered and the text message “RV distance exceeded” is displayed.

Figure RV.RUN-[L1.S].F2: Brake command active and text message “RV distance exceeded” displayed (soft key technology)

RV.RUN-[L23.S].2 The Figure RV.RUN-[L23.S].F2 shows an example of a DMI screen where the permitted distance to run in RV is exceed and consequently, the brake command is triggered and the text message “RV distance exceeded” is displayed.

Figure RV.RUN-[L23.S].F2: Brake command active and text message “RV distance exceeded” displayed (soft key technology)

RV.RUN-[L1.T].3To acknowledge the brake command, the driver shall press the button displayed with a flashing frame as indicated in Figure RV.RUN-[L1.T].F3.

Figure RV.RUN-[L1.T].F3: Brake command Acknowledgement button (touch screen technology)

RV.RUN-[L23.T].3To acknowledge the brake command, the driver shall press the button displayed with a flashing frame as indicated in Figure RV.RUN-[L23.T].F3.

Figure RV.RUN-[L23.T].F3: Brake command Acknowledgement button (touch screen technology)

RV.RUN-[L1.S].3To acknowledge the brake command, the driver shall press the button associated to the brake command symbol (ST01) displayed with a flashing frame as indicated in Figure RV.RUN-[L1.S].F3.

Figure RV.RUN-[L1.S].F3: Brake command Acknowledgement button (soft key technology)

RV.RUN-[L23.S].3To acknowledge the brake command, the driver shall press the button associated to the brake command symbol (ST01) displayed with a flashing frame as indicated in Figure RV.RUN-[L23.S].F3.

Figure RV.RUN-[L23.S].F3: Brake command Acknowledgement button (soft key technology)

RV.EXTExit form RV (EXT)

RV.EXT-[L123].1After the train has completed the reverse movement and is at standstill the driver shall report the situation to the signaller. If no additional movement in RV is required, the driver shall close the driving desk to exit RV. The mode changes to Stand By, see section SB - Stand By (SB).

RV.EXT-[L123].2Additionally to the transition mentioned previously (i.e. RVSB), the following mode transitions can be triggered from RV mode:

  1. NP mode. Transition triggered when the ETCS on-board is powered off as indicated in section OFF.PWR Power off the ETCS on-board (PWR)).
  2. SF mode. Automatic transition triggered in case of a fault (see section SF - System Failure (SF)).
  3. IS mode. Transition triggered when the driver isolates the ETCS on-board equipment, see section IS.ENT Entering Isolation mode (ENT).