ATS

The ATS is an onboard safety device coupled with line side transponders. It is used in conjunction with CTC. The ATS will engage the emergency braking in the following conditions:

• if a signal displaying a stop aspect is passed.
• if a signal displaying yellow aspects is passed at a speed exceeding a 65 km/h.
• if the speed 300m before the station entrance signal exceeds 40 km/h.

ATS is a basic safety device and is by no mean fool proof. For example, ATS provides no protection is case of a track obstruction placed near the stop signal.

ATS implies that a driver must be able to reduce the speed of its train to 65 km/h within its line of sight. Therefore, it makes driving difficult in low visibility conditions where signals at seen at short distance.