The European Railway Traffic Management System (ERTMS) is being developed to enhance interoperability across European rail networks, with the European Train Control System (ETCS) as its core component. To ensure the safe and efficient execution of train movements, the Advanced Protection System (APS) is also being developed to replace traditional interlocking and trackside train protection, shifting safety functions to the train itself. By enabling flexible movement requests based on real-time network conditions, APS enhances ERTMS’s capability to optimize the planning and implementation of train journeys.

As part of the ongoing development and specification of ERTMS, the Reference Command and Control System Architecture (RCA) has been established as a modular framework comprising the Schedule Management System (PAS), the Plan Execution Module (PE), and the Automatic Train Operations Execution Module (AE). However, the implementation of ERTMS faces several challenges, particularly in terms of system integration, functional clarity, and real-world validation. The absence of standardized and thoroughly tested interfaces has led to a proliferation of proprietary solutions, complicating interoperability and hindering seamless railway operations.

This study aims to address these challenges by evaluating the PE module’s specifications through a pretotypical implementation, referred to in this article as the Interface Control (IC) module. The IC module facilitates communication between PAS and APS, ensuring the execution of Operational Plans (OPs). Testing at the Railway Operational Field Darmstadt (EBD) will assess its performance, providing insights for refining system specifications and improving ERTMS integration.