Examine individual changes

'{{Proposal page | name = Unified ETCS signals tagging | user = AwFi | definition = This proposal is meant to unify all the national ETCS markers tags into an harmonised tagging scheme valid everywhere. | status = Proposed | draftStartDate = 2025-12-03 | type = {{IconNode}} | rfcStartDate = 2025-12-20 | proposalDate = 2025-12-20 }} == Problem Statement == ETCS is an European born signalling systems that is nowadays used all over the world. At the moment of the writing of this proposal, there are many ways to tag these signals that mostly differ by each state decision on how to tag them, but the markers are the same. Pantograph and electrification markers are included in this proposal. GSM-R signs might be another field of standardisation, if agreed. == Proposal == The proposal is to create a unified scheme of tagging so that independently of where the installation is, as the markers will be the same, it's possible to tag them easily. National signs to indicate the beginning of ETCS are not in this proposal since those are not standardized, but there is a suggestion to avoid some problems with multiple signals on the same location. Existing tag schemes are for example: * [[OpenRailwayMap/Tagging in France#ETCS block marker|France]]: ** Stop marker: <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:train protection|railway:signal:train_protection]]</bdi>=[[Tag:railway:signal:train protection=FR:REP ETCS|<bdi>FR:REP_ETCS</bdi>]]</code> (called block marker but it's a stop marker, use type stop marker) * [[OpenRailwayMap/Signals in Italy#ETCS markers|Italy]]: ** Stop marker: <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:train protection|railway:signal:train_protection]]</bdi>=[[Tag:railway:signal:train protection=IT:ETCS:SM|<bdi>IT:ETCS:SM</bdi>]]</code> ** Level transition: <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:train protection|railway:signal:train_protection]]</bdi>=[[Tag:railway:signal:train protection=IT:ETCS:LT|<bdi>IT:ETCS:LT</bdi>]]</code> ** Location marker: <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:train protection|railway:signal:train_protection]]</bdi>=[[Tag:railway:signal:train protection=IT:ETCS:LM|<bdi>IT:ETCS:LM</bdi>]]</code> * [[OpenRailwayMap/Tagging in Belgium#Stop markers|Belgium]]: ** Stop marker: <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:train protection|railway:signal:train_protection]]</bdi>=[[Tag:railway:signal:train protection=BE:PRA|<bdi>BE:PRA</bdi>]]</code> (use type block marker, also triangle possible but for TVM. Separation needed, keep old tag only for TVM?) * [[OpenRailwayMap/Tagging in Finland#ERTMS signs|Finland]]: ** Stop marker: <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:train protection|railway:signal:train_protection]]=[[Tag:railway:signal:train protection=FI:T-600A|FI:T-600A]]</bdi></code> (use type block marker) ** Level transition: <code>[[Key:railway:signal:train protection|railway:signal:train_protection]]=FI:T-602A</code> * [[OpenRailwayMap/Tagging in Netherlands#ETCS stop marker|Netherlands]]: ** Stop marker: <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:train protection|railway:signal:train_protection]]</bdi>=[[Tag:railway:signal:train protection=NL:228|<bdi>NL:228</bdi>]]</code>(use type block marker, also triangle possible but for TVM. Separation needed, keep old tag only for TVM?) * [[Pl:OpenRailwayMap/Tagging in Poland/Pointers#Wskaźniki ETCS|Poland]]: ** Stop marker: <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:train protection|railway:signal:train_protection]]</bdi>=<bdi>PL-PKP:wetcs10</bdi></code> ** Location marker: <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:train protection|railway:signal:train_protection]]</bdi>=<bdi>PL-PKP:wetcs11</bdi></code> * [[DE:OpenRailwayMap/Tagging in Switzerland#603 Merktafel Hauptsignal (ETCS Stop Marker)|Switzerland]]: ** Stop maker: <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:train protection|railway:signal:train_protection]]</bdi>=<bdi>ETCS2:stop_marker</bdi></code> (use type block marker) * [[OpenRailwayMap/Tagging in the United Kingdom#ETCS Block Markers|United Kingdom]] ** Stop marker: <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:train protection|railway:signal:train_protection]]</bdi>=[[Tag:railway:signal:train protection=GB-NR:ETCS|<bdi>GB-NR:ETCS</bdi>]]</code> (use type block marker) * [[DE:OpenRailwayMap/Tagging_in_Germany/Bü,_Ne,_Pf_and_So_Signals#Ne_14_ETCS-Halt-Tafel_(ETCS_Stop_marker)|Germany]] **Stop marker: <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:train protection|railway:signal:train_protection]]</bdi>=[[Tag:railway:signal:train protection=DE-ESO:ne14|<bdi>DE-ESO:ne14</bdi>]]</code> **Location marker: <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:train protection|railway:signal:train_protection]]</bdi>=[[Tag:railway:signal:train protection=DE-ESO:blockkennzeichen|<bdi>DE-ESO:blockkennzeichen</bdi>]]</code> (LZB block marker and ETCS location marker are tagged the same, would need separation) If there are missing tagging schemes, please add them. ==Rationale == Having different tags for the same objects makes little sense if the only variable is the state of the state where said object falls, so unifying it should be something useful, also to allow easier comparisons and data processing. So the tagging scheme is simple: no national prefix, as it is something worldwide, and keep the tags simple and intuitive. All the markers use the '''names''' '''and functions''' of the official documentation. Electrical marker are also standardized and included in this proposal. ==Tagging == === Main marker boards === <gallery> File:ETCS_Transition.svg|ETCS transition marker File:Wskaźnik_W_ETCS_10_-_prawo.svg|Stop marker File:Wskaźnik_W_ETCS_11_-_prawo.svg|Location Marker </gallery> ==== ETCS transition marker ==== Point where the transition to ETCS is possible or must be done. * '''{{Tag|railway:signal:train_protection:system_change|ETCS:level_transition|}}''' * {{Tag|railway:signal:train_protection:system_change:form|sign|}} ==== ETCS stop marker ==== Marker to unambiguously identify a location that must not be passed without a MA (Movement Authority) or other equivalent instructions. * '''{{Tag|railway:signal:train_protection:main|ETCS:stop_marker|}}''' * {{Tag|railway:signal:train_protection:main:form|sign|}} ==== ETCS location marker ==== Marker to unambiguously identify a location that is not safety critical, might represent the EOA location (End of Authority). * '''{{Tag|railway:signal:train_protection:main|ETCS:location_marker|}}''' * {{Tag|railway:signal:train_protection:main:form|sign|}} ==== National ETCS begin/end markers ==== Markers that indicate the begin or end of ETCS or other signalling systems, if indicated, should follow the scheme used for level transition.'''{{Tag|railway:signal:train_protection:system_change||}}''' This allows to have ETCS marker boards and other signals such as level transition on the same location === Electrical marker boards === ==== Neutral section related ==== <gallery> File:ETCS announcement neutral marker board.svg|alt= ETCS marker board announcing a neutral section ahead|Distant Begin of neutral section File:ETCS neutral marker board.svg|alt=ETCS marker board indicating a neutral section|Begin of neutral section File:ETCS end of neutral marker board.svg|alt=ETCS marker board to indicate end of neutral section|End of neutral section </gallery> ===== Distant begin of neutral section ===== * {{Tag|railway:signal:electricity|ETCS:power_off_advance|}} * {{Tag|railway:signal:electricity:form|sign|}} additionally: * {{Tag|railway:signal:electricity:type|power_off_advance|}} ===== Begin of neutral section ===== * {{Tag|railway:signal:electricity|ETCS:power_off|}} * {{Tag|railway:signal:electricity:form|sign|}} additionally: * {{Tag|railway:signal:electricity:type|power_off|}} ===== End of Neutral section ===== * {{Tag|railway:signal:electricity|ETCS:power_on|}} * {{Tag|railway:signal:electricity:form|sign|}} additionally: * {{Tag|railway:signal:electricity:type|power_on|}} ==== Pantograph related ==== <gallery> File:ETCS announcement lower pantograph.svg|alt=ETCS marker board to indicate the proximity to a point where to lower the pantograph|Distant lower pantograph File:ETCS Lower pantograph marker board.svg|alt=ETCS marker board to indicate to lower the pantograph|Lower pantograph File:ETCS raise pantograph marker board.svg|alt=ETCS marker board to indicate to raise the pantograph|Raise pantograph </gallery> ===== Distant Lower pantograph ===== * {{Tag|railway:signal:electricity|ETCS:pantograph_down_advance|}} * {{Tag|railway:signal:electricity:form|sign|}} additionally: * {{Tag|railway:signal:electricity:type|pantograph_down_advance|}} ===== Lower pantograph ===== * {{Tag|railway:signal:electricity|ETCS:pantograph_down|}} * {{Tag|railway:signal:electricity:form|sign|}} additionally: * {{Tag|railway:signal:electricity:type|pantograph_down|}} ===== Raise pantograph ===== * {{Tag|railway:signal:electricity|ETCS:pantograph_up|}} * {{Tag|railway:signal:electricity:form|sign|}} additionally: * {{Tag|railway:signal:electricity:type|pantograph_up|}} ==== End of catenary related ==== <gallery> File:ETCS announcement no traction system marker board.svg|alt=ETCS Distant end of catenary marker board|Distant end of catenary File:ETCS no traction system marker board.svg|alt=ETCS end of catenary marker board|End of catenary </gallery> ===== Distant end of catenary ===== * {{Tag|railway:signal:electricity|ETCS:end_of_catenary_advance|}} * {{Tag|railway:signal:electricity:form|sign|}} additionally: * {{Tag|railway:signal:electricity:type|end_of_catenary_advance|}} ===== End of catenary ===== * {{Tag|railway:signal:electricity|ETCS:end_of_catenary|}} * {{Tag|railway:signal:electricity:form|sign|}} additionally: * {{Tag|railway:signal:electricity:type|end_of_catenary|}} === Common tags === Standard railway signals tags and keys are not listed as it is out of the scope of this proposal and are very common and widely used (position, direction, ref, ...). {{Tag|railway:signal:position||*}} can be used also to differentiate the arrow pointing to the left/right/down since the it is always pointing to the track. Additionally some other tags that could be useful are listed below. {{Tag|railway:signal:train_protection:main:caption||*}} optional field, might be the name of the locality for main marker boards, reference goes into {{Tag|ref||*}} === Possible problems === Sometimes the transition marker and the stop marker are located in the same pole, for this reason the tagging scheme changes slightly compared to the standard used as of now. This change helps to prevent many cases where level transition or other national signs are on the same location of stop markers. It is recommended to update national schemes for this additional part of the key. "main" is used for block/stop/location markers as they have some similarities with main signals. "System change" is used to indicate a generic change of train protection system, using something broader than "level transition" that might be sketchy on other national train protection signals. ==Examples == {| class="wikitable" |+ !Picture !Tags |- | rowspan="2" |[[File:Italian Railway Signal.jpg|thumb|Stop marker followed by level transition with other italian signals]] |Stop marker alone (in front): <code><bdi>[[Key:railway|railway]]</bdi>=<bdi>signal</bdi></code> <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:direction|railway:signal:direction]]</bdi>=<bdi>forward/backward</bdi></code> (depending on how the way is mapped) <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:position|railway:signal:position]]</bdi>=<bdi>left/right</bdi></code> (depending on how the way is mapped) {{Tag|ref||20}} '''{{Tag|railway:signal:train_protection:main|ETCS:stop_marker|}}''' {{Tag|railway:signal:train_protection:main:form|sign|}} {{Tag|railway:signal:train_protection:main:caption||Castelfranco}} |- |Level Transition with the other signals (on the back): <code><bdi>[[Key:railway|railway]]</bdi>=<bdi>signal</bdi></code> <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:direction|railway:signal:direction]]</bdi>=<bdi>forward/backward</bdi></code> (depending on how the way is mapped) <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:position|railway:signal:position]]</bdi>=<bdi>left/right</bdi></code> (depending on how the way is mapped) |- |[[File:Italian Railway Signal with red aspect.jpg|thumb|Level transition and stop marker with other italian signals]] |Level transition and stop marker on the same pole with other signals: <code><bdi>[[Key:railway|railway]]</bdi>=<bdi>signal</bdi></code> <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:direction|railway:signal:direction]]</bdi>=<bdi>forward/backward</bdi></code> (depending on how the way is mapped) <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:position|railway:signal:position]]</bdi>=<bdi>left/right</bdi></code> (depending on how the way is mapped) ... [all other signals on the pole] ... '''{{Tag|railway:signal:train_protection:system_change|ETCS:level_transition|}}''' {{Tag|railway:signal:train_protection:system_change:form|sign|}} '''{{Tag|railway:signal:train_protection:main|ETCS:stop_marker|}}''' {{Tag|railway:signal:train_protection:main:form|sign|}} {{Tag|railway:signal:train_protection:main:caption||Castelfranco}} {{Tag|ref||20}} |- |[[File:Bleiburg Stadt Haltestelle s.jpg|thumb|Stop marker in Austria]] |Stop marker in a standalone installation: <code><bdi>[[Key:railway|railway]]</bdi>=<bdi>signal</bdi></code> <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:direction|railway:signal:direction]]</bdi>=<bdi>forward/backward</bdi></code> (depending on how the way is mapped) <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:position|railway:signal:position]]</bdi>=<bdi>left/right</bdi></code> (depending on how the way is mapped) '''{{Tag|railway:signal:train_protection:main|ETCS:stop_marker|}}''' {{Tag|railway:signal:train_protection:main:form|sign|}} {{Tag|ref||SMR201R}} |- |[[File:Signal ETCS Ne14 + Ks Hp0 Darmstadt Eberstadt.jpg|thumb|German signals and stop marker]] |Level transition andother conventional signals on the same pole: <code><bdi>[[Key:railway|railway]]</bdi>=<bdi>signal</bdi></code> <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:direction|railway:signal:direction]]</bdi>=<bdi>forward/backward</bdi></code> (depending on how the way is mapped) <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:position|railway:signal:position]]</bdi>=<bdi>left/right</bdi></code> (depending on how the way is mapped) ... [all other signals on the pole] ... '''{{Tag|railway:signal:train_protection:main|ETCS:stop_marker|}}''' {{Tag|railway:signal:train_protection:main:form|sign|}} |- |[[File:L05 280 Chillon, ETCS-Blockkennzeichen.jpg|thumb|Location markers in Switzerland]] |Location markers in standalone application (valid for both): <code><bdi>[[Key:railway|railway]]</bdi>=<bdi>signal</bdi></code> <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:direction|railway:signal:direction]]</bdi>=<bdi>forward/backward</bdi></code> (depending on how the way is mapped) <code><bdi>[[Key:railway:signal:position|railway:signal:position]]</bdi>=<bdi>left/right</bdi></code> (depending on how the way is mapped) '''{{Tag|railway:signal:train_protection:main|ETCS:location_marker|}}''' {{Tag|railway:signal:train_protection:main:form|sign|}} {{Tag|ref||VIL536S}}(left one)/{{Tag|ref||VIL536S}}(right one) |} ==Impact on Data Consumers== This change would impact [https://openrailwaymap.app/ https://openrailwaymap.app] and [https://openrailwaymap.org/ https://openrailwaymap.org] in the signalling/train protection layer, not rendering anymore the signals when migrated to this new scheme. At the same time, adding the support for this tagging scheme would ease the implementation of worldwide ETCS markers rendering, reducing complexity of having many different implementations for each state. ==Features/Pages affected== All national signals pages with support for ETCS markers tagging. * [[OpenRailwayMap/Tagging in France#ETCS block marker|France]] * [[OpenRailwayMap/Signals in Italy#ETCS markers|Italy]] * [[OpenRailwayMap/Tagging in Belgium#Stop markers|Belgium]] * [[OpenRailwayMap/Tagging in Finland#ERTMS signs|Finland]] * [[OpenRailwayMap/Tagging in Netherlands#ETCS stop marker|Netherlands]] * [[Pl:OpenRailwayMap/Tagging in Poland/Pointers#Wskaźniki ETCS|Poland]] * [[DE:OpenRailwayMap/Tagging in Switzerland#603 Merktafel Hauptsignal (ETCS Stop Marker)|Switzerland]] * [[OpenRailwayMap/Tagging in the United Kingdom#ETCS Block Markers|United Kingdom]] * [[DE:OpenRailwayMap/Tagging_in_Germany/Bü,_Ne,_Pf_and_So_Signals#Ne_14_ETCS-Halt-Tafel_(ETCS_Stop_marker)|Germany]] == External discussions == * https://github.com/hiddewie/OpenRailwayMap-vector/discussions/371 * OpenRailwayMap channel on OSM Discord server == Comments== Please comment on the [[{{TALKPAGENAME}}|discussion page]].'