ETCS Tool

This is a tool for calculations in the field of ETCS, in particular ETCS brake models for fix trains and brake curves.

Main characteristics and Abilities of Version 2

  • A graphical user interface to create and edit ETCS train models and related data.
  • Determination of correction factors Krst_dry and Krst_wet for fix train models (“Gamma trains”) by Monte-Carlo simulation according to prEN 17997-1.
  • Monte-Carlo simulation for up to EBCL=9 (10 billion simulations) only takes about 1 minute for typical EMUs on a recent NVIDIA® graphics adapter (GPU) thanks to NVIDIA® CUDA® support.
  • Calculation of deceleration curves and TSM limits for both fix and flexible trains (“Gamma” and “Lambda” model).
  • Graphical output of deceleration curves and TSM limits.
  • Export of all graphical representations in bitmap (PNG) or vector graphics format (SVG).
  • Export of all results in text format (XML or CSV).
  • No proprietary or binary file formats: all data is stored in XML text files.

Download and Installation

In order to run ETCS Tool 2.2 you’ll need a Java™ Runtime Environment (JRE) on your computer.

For Microsoft Windows a bundle including ETCSTool2.2 Limited Edition (and its documentation) and the Eclipse Adoptium® Temurin™ Java™ Runtime Environment (JRE) for Windows x64 is provided:

ETCSTool2.2_Temurin_jdk-21.0.4-jre_noCuda.zip (54.621.847 Bytes)

Actually, no installation is required: Just extract the .zip file to some folder. You’ll find a file ETCSTool2.2.exe in the unzipped folder. Feel free to create a link to this file on your desktop or in your start menu (dragging the file while pressing ALT), but don’t move the .exe file.

Examples are provided in a separate zip ETCSTool2.2_Examples (220.497 Bytes).

If your are not running Microsoft Windows, download ETCSTool2.2.zip (7.789.697 Bytes) and download a JRE separately. You’ll find binaries of the Eclipse Adoptium® Temurin™ Java™ Runtime Environment (JRE) for almost all operating systems on www.adoptium.net. Create a link like “javaw -jar etcstool2.2/dist/etcstool2.2.jar”, but with the correct path to etcstool2.2.jar. If the java binary directory is not in the path, you’ll need to add the full path before javaw as well.

Minimum System Requirements

  • 20 MB harddisk space (without JRE, this will need another 125 MB)
  • ~200 MB RAM (including JVM)
  • 1920x1024 screen size
  • To perform Monte-Carlo simulations according to prEN17997-1 for EBCL>5, a NVIDIA® graphics adapter (GPU) is necessary and a license for commercial use of ETCS Tool 2.2.
  • To perform Monte-Carlo simulations according to prEN17997-1 for EBCL<5, the main CPU can be used, but you need the GNU Compiler Collection on your computer. For MS Windows, I recommend to use WinLibs (which includes MinGW-w64), see www.winlibs.com. It doesn’t matter which GCC version, which threads (POSIX / MCF) or which library (UCRT / MSVCRT) you select. Just unzip the .zip or .7z file to your local user directory (about 1 GB disk space necessary), no further installation steps are required.

The complete license is part of the download (see file “license.txt"). The following is only a short excerpt.

ETCS Tool 2.x including the documentation is provided “as is” without any warranty to their performance, correctness or fitness for any particular purpose. The licensee assumes the entire risk as to the quality and performance of the software. In no event shall the author or anyone else who has been involved in the creation, development, production, or delivery of this Software be liable for any direct, incidental or consequential damages, such as, but not limited to, loss of anticipated profits, benefits, use, or data resulting from the use of this software, or arising out of any breach of warranty.

ETCS Tool 2.x Limited Edition

Differences between the Limited Edition and a professional version:

  • The disclaimer is shown at program start.
  • Export of graphics and some data is not enabled.
  • Monte-Carlo-Simulation is limited to 1,000,000 simulation runs and NVIDIA® CUDA® is not supported. Thus it is not possible to determine the correction factors for EBCL>5.

To obtain a license for commercial use of ETCS Tool, please write to homepage@thomas-brunnengraeber.de.

Screenshots

Desktop

Brake system architecture editor

K_dry / A_dry chart

TSM limits chart

Please read the documentation first.