6. Conclusion

Even though there have been many changes, notably with the introduction of IT systems, the basic principles and roles of railway signalling remain unchanged.

The future will see the emergence of new functions, both in support of operations, train control and maintenance, and in the modernization of existing systems, for both mainline trains and urban transport. Signalling and automatic train control systems are an area that particularly lends itself to innovation, even though railway safety automatically requires the use of tried-and-tested technologies.

Of course, in the years to come, we'll be seeing the widespread use of the ERTMS/ETCS system, enabling greater interoperability than we have today.

But also, in the signalling field, :

• implementation of new automated...