Rail vehicle location in the context of improving the efficiency of railway infrastructure use – areas of GNSS application

Michał Steuer; Rafał Burdzik; Andrzej Kochan

doi:10.61089/aot2026.wwpbpt82

Authors

Michał Steuer Doctoral School, Silesian University of Technology, Katowice, Poland Author https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2360-2298
Rafał Burdzik Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Katowice, Poland Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0360-8559
Andrzej Kochan Faculty of Transport, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8183-8926

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61089/aot2026.wwpbpt82

Keywords:

GNSS, ERTMS/ATO, train rout setting, efficiency

Abstract

Modern rail transport requires precise traffic management to ensure safety and operational efficiency, which is only possible when the Control‑Command and Signalling (CCS) system relies on accurate, real‑time information about the location of rail vehicles within its area of influence. Precise positioning is essential for maintaining safety levels, optimizing traffic flow, and ensuring the smooth functioning of the railway network. Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) enable continuous monitoring of train positions, creating opportunities to improve infrastructure efficiency and traffic management by supporting more flexible control strategies, better use of existing capacity, and the introduction of advanced automation. However, implementing GNSS in CCS systems presents challenges related to the absence of defined evaluation criteria, system architecture, and verified levels of accuracy and availability required in rail operations. These issues highlight the need for developing guidelines and technical and formal assumptions that define and characterize the potential application area of GNSS in CCS, helping to determine operational boundaries, constraints, and compliance with railway standards. This publication outlines a process designed to answer the fundamental question of: is it possible to use satellite systems in railways, and if so, to what extent? The implementation of this process begins with an analysis of the current state of knowledge and technology, including requirements and guidelines for the use of satellite systems in railway applications and their role in automatic train operation within the European Rail Traffic Management System / Automatic Train Operation (ERTMS/ATO). It then incorporates research and simulations assessing the availability and accuracy of satellite positioning under various operational conditions, providing insight into the performance of GNSS in the railway environment. The process concludes with the identification of potential areas of implementation and directions for further research, creating a coherent basis for assessing the feasibility and scope of GNSS use in railway traffic control and management systems.

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