Degraded situations (DEG)
DEG.UNSManaging route unsuitability (UNS)
DEG.UNS-[L123].1Route suitability data defines which values concerning loading gauge, traction system and axle load category a train must meet to be allowed to enter the route.
The driver is always informed about any route unsuitability.
If at least one unsuitability exits, the closest location corresponding to the unsuitability(ies) is considered as both the EOA and SvL, with no Release Speed.
If the train overpasses the location of a route suitability where incompatibility occurs the train is tripped (see section TR - Trip / Post Trip (TR)).
DEG.UNS-[L123.N].1The driver is informed that a route unsuitability has been detected when any of the following message is displayed in area E:
“Route unsuitable - loading gauge”
“Route unsuitable - traction system”
“Route unsuitable – axle load category”
In this situation, the driver and the signaller shall apply non-harmonised rules.
DEG.TRKManaging a trackside malfunction (TRK)
DEG.TRK-[L123].1The driver shall inform the signaller about the situation when the following text message is displayed in area E: “Trackside malfunction”.
DEG.VERManaging incompatibility system version (VER)
DEG.VER-[L123.N].1When the following text message is displayed in area E: “Trackside not compatible”, the train cannot continue in ETCS. The driver shall inform the signaller about the situation, and both shall apply non-harmonised rules.
DEG.BLSManaging a balise read error (BLS)
DEG.BLS-[L123].1If a Balise read error leads to a train trip or a service brake application, the following text message is displayed in area E: “Balise read error”.
- If the train is tripped as a result of the balise read error, the driver shall follow the Trip procedure described in section TR - Trip / Post Trip (TR)).
- If the brakes are trigged by the ETCS on-board (the train is not tripped) as a result of the data consistency problem with the expected balise group, the driver shall inform the signaller about the situation.
In the case that no new MA is received, when the train has come to a standstill, the driver cannot pass the EOA until the signaller authorises it, see section OVR - Authorising the passing of an EOA (OVR).
DEG.BLS-[L123.N].1If the message “Balise read error” is repeated and the service brake is applied, the driver and the signaller shall apply non-harmonised rules.
DEG.BMMManaging a balise transmission malfunction (BMM)
DEG.BMM-[V].1The driver may hear an alarm reporting a malfunction for the ETCS on-board balise transmission function when there is a big metal object in the track exceeding the limits for big metal masses. If the alarm persists, a safety reaction from the ETCS on-board is triggered.
Train specific clauses indicating how to notify if there is a big metal object in the track exceeding the limits for big metal masses and what is the ETCS on-board reaction.
DEG.SMAManaging MA shortening (SMA)
DEG.SMA.1The MA can be shortened for different reasons, e.g. for exceeding the time marked by a timer or receiving emergency messages.
The driver is always informed about the MA shortening through the DMI. The driver must always observe the information displayed on the DMI and react as required by the operating rules.
DEG.SMA-[B3M1.L23].1The message “Emergency stop” is displayed in area E, when an emergency stop(s) have been accepted and is not yet revoked.
DEG.SMA-[L123.N].1When non-harmonised rules stipulate that a train has to be at a standstill to change existing arrangements, the signaller shall order the driver to remain at a standstill by means of European Instruction 3. The European Instruction 3 is revoked when European Instruction 4 is issued.
DEG.TRTransition to Trip mode (TR)
DEG.TR.1When a transition to Trip (TR) mode is triggered, a message with the TR condition is displayed. The driver shall follow the steps explained in the section TR - Trip / Post Trip (TR).
- The text message “Balise read error” is displayed when the train Trip is triggered because the expected balise is not read.
- The text message “Communication error” is displayed when the train Trip is triggered because no safe radio message has been received in due time.
- The text message “SH refused” is displayed when the train Trip is triggered due to the driver’s selection of Shunting mode when there is an ongoing National Trip procedure reported by the STM.
- The text message “Trackside not compatible” is displayed when the train Trip is triggered due to incompatibility with the system version.
- The text message “Unauthorized passing of EOA/LOA” is displayed when the train Trip is triggered because the train overpasses the EOA/LOA or receives a trip order and the override is not active.
- The text message “No MA received at level transition” is displayed when the train Trip is triggered due to ETCS level transition to ETCS level 1, 2 or 3 but no MA is accepted.
- The text message “SR distance exceeded” is displayed when the train Trip is triggered because the SR distance is overpassed.
- The text message “SH stop order” is displayed when the train Trip is triggered due to the reception of Stop if in Shunting information from the trackside and the override is not active.
- The text message “SR stop order” is displayed when the train Trip is triggered due to the reception of Stop if in SR information from the trackside and the override is not active.
- The text message “Emergency stop” is displayed when the train Trip is triggered due to emergency stop message received from the trackside.
- The text message “No track description” is displayed when the train Trip is triggered due to lack of speed restrictions and gradients stored on-board.
- The text message “[name of NTC] brake demand” is displayed when the train Trip is triggered due to change of level from NTC when there is an ongoing National Trip procedure reported by the STM.
DEG.LTRManaging a failed level transition (LRT)
DEG.LTR-[L123.N].1The driver may be informed about a level transition point with the trackside marker board indicated in the Figure DEG.LTR-[L123.N].F1.

Figure DEG.LTR-[L123.N].F1: Trackside marker of level transition point
DEG.LTR-[L123.N].2If a level transition has failed and the train has been tripped, the driver and the signaller shall take measures in response of a trip explained in the section TR - Trip / Post Trip (TR).
After selecting the Start button in the Main window of the DMI and before restarting the train, the driver shall:
- Check the correct ETCS level to be selected,
- Change the ETCS level if necessary (See section LTR.TRS.DRV Level transition initiated by driver (DRV)).
In case the ETCS level to be selected is not available, the driver and the signaller shall apply non-harmonised rules.
DEG.LTR-[L123.N].3If a level transition has failed and the mode is SR, before restarting the train, the driver shall:
- Stop the train,
- Inform the signaller about the situation,
- When at a standstill, check the correct ETCS level to be selected,
- Change the ETCS level (See section LTR.TRS.DRV Level transition initiated by driver (DRV)).
In case the ETCS level to be selected is not available on-board, the driver and signaller shall apply non-harmonised rules.
DEG.LTR-[L123.N].4In all other cases when a level transition fails, before restarting the train the driver shall:
- Inform the signaller about the situation,
- When at a standstill, check the correct ETCS level to be selected,
- Change the ETCS level (See section LTR.TRS.DRV Level transition initiated by driver (DRV)).
In case the ETCS level to be selected is not available on-board driver and signaller shall apply non-harmonised rules.
DEG.MDTManaging an absence of mode transition (MDT)
DEG.MDT-[N].1Network specific clauses indicating how to manage an absence of the mode transition.
DEG.RBCManaging absence of RBC information (RBC)
DEG.RBC-[L23.N].1When there is no RBC information received in an area not identified as a radio hole for a time greater than the one set by national value, one of the following reaction is applied:
- Train Trip
- Service brake application
- No reaction.
When the train is tripped or the service brake is applied for this reason, the text message “Communication error” is displayed.
- If the train is tripped, the driver shall follow the steps explained in the section TR - Trip / Post Trip (TR).
- If the brakes are triggered by the ETCS on-board (the train is not tripped) and the following text message is displayed: “Communication error”, the driver shall inform the signaller about the situation when at a standstill.
The brake command is released at standstill or if a new consistent message has been received from the RBC.
If no new MA is received when the train has come to a standstill, a MA shortening to the current train position is applied. The driver cannot pass the EOA until authorised to do so by the signaller (see section OVR.RUL Rules to pass an EOA (RUL)).
DEG.COMManaging a radio communication failure (COM)
DEG.COM.1The driver is always informed about the status of the radio connection; no connection, connection lost/set-up failed and connection up, with the following symbols on the DMI:
- Connection lost/Set-Up failed (ST04, located in area E1).
ST04: Safe radio connection Connection Lost/Set-Up failed
- Connection up (ST03, located in area E1).
ST03: Safe radio connection Connection up
- No connection.
The No connection status has no associated symbol. The driver is informed that there is not connection when there is no symbol displayed.
DEG.COM.2When a radio communication failure occurs and the symbol ST04 is displayed, the driver shall check the ETCS level, the radio network identification, the RBC identification / phone number, and correct them if necessary.
If the radio communication with the RBC still cannot be established, the driver shall inform the signaller.
DEG.COM-[L2.N].1If in ETCS level 2 preparing a movement, the train unit has to move in SH and a radio communication failure occurs, the driver and the signaller shall apply non-harmonised rules.
DEG.COM-[L2.N].2If in ETCS level 2 preparing a tandem movement when a radio communication failure occurs, the driver of the Non-Leading engine shall inform the driver of the leading engine about the radio communication failure. Both drivers shall apply non-harmonised rules.
DEG.COM.3In all other cases the signaller shall authorise the driver to pass the EOA following the procedure explained in the section OVR.RUL Rules to pass an EOA (RUL).
DEG.TSTManaging a failure of self test (TST)
DEG.TST-[N].1When there is a failure of self test and the information about the failure is shown to the driver, the driver shall switch off the ETCS on-board equipment (see section OFF.PWR Power off the ETCS on-board (PWR)) and then switch it on again (see section NP.ON Power on the ETCS on-board (ON). This will trigger a new self test.
If a failure of self test is shown again, the driver shall inform the signaller about the situation.
The driver shall request a change of traction unit.
The driver and the signaller shall apply non-harmonised rules in the case that the traction unit must be moved.
DEG.RADManaging a failure affecting the on-board radio equipment (RAD)
DEG.RAD.1When a failure of the on-board radio equipment is detected, the driver shall inform the signaller about the situation.
DEG.RAD-[L23.N].1If this occurs in ETCS levels 2 or 3 during the preparation of the traction unit, the driver shall request a change of traction unit.
In the case that the traction unit must be moved, the driver and the signaller shall apply non-harmonised rules.
In the case that the traction unit need not be moved, the driver shall switch off the ETCS on-board equipment (see section OFF.PWR Power off the ETCS on-board (PWR)).
DEG.RAD-[L123.N].1If the failure occurs while the train is running in ETCS level 1 with infill function by radio or ETCS levels 2 or 3, the driver and the signaller shall apply non-harmonised rules.
DEG.DMIManaging a DMI with blank screen (DMI)
DEG.DMI-[N].1 The driver shall inform the signaller every time that the DMI fails and shows a blank screen.
In this situation, the driver and the signaller shall apply non-harmonised rules.
DEG.NTCManaging a NTC failure (NTC)
DEG.NTC-[V].1When the following text message is displayed: “[name of NTC] failed” in the DMI, the driver shall:
- Acknowledge the message AND,
- Apply non-harmonised rules.
DEG.NTC-[L0N1.T.V].1To acknowledge the text message, the driver shall press the text message itself as indicated in the Figure DEG.NTC-[L0N1.T.V].F1. It is shown with a flashing frame.

Figure DEG.NTC-[L0N1.T.V].F1: Acknowledgement of the “[name of NTC] failed” system status message (touch screen technology)
DEG.NTC-[L23.T.V].1To acknowledge the text message, the driver shall press the text message itself as indicated in the Figure DEG.NTC-[L23.T.V].F1. It is shown with a flashing frame.

Figure DEG.NTC-[L23.T.V].F1: Acknowledgement of the “[name of NTC] failed” system status message (touch screen technology)
DEG.NTC-[L0N1.S.V].1To acknowledge the text message, the driver shall press the
button associated to the text message as indicated in the Figure DEG.NTC-[L0N1.S.V].F1. This Ack button is shown with a flashing frame.

Figure DEG.NTC-[L0N1.S.V].F1: Acknowledgement of the “[name of NTC] failed” system status message (soft key technology)
DEG.NTC-[L23.S.V].1To acknowledge the text message, the driver shall press the
button associated to the text message as indicated in the Figure DEG.NTC-[L23.S.V].F1. This Ack button is shown with a flashing frame.

Figure DEG.NTC-[L23.S.V].F1: Acknowledgement of the “[name of NTC] failed” system status message (soft key technology)