Eurobalise

More information

Background information:
Eurobalises are beacons for train traffic. Balise is the French word for beacon. The French word is used to make it easier to distinguish this type of beacons from other beacons that one encounters in the railway world. These balises are always in the center between the two busbars, usually mounted at the heart of a sleeper.

Architectural details:
The Eurobalises are deployed at various railway security systems. One of these security systems is the ETCS (European Train Control System) Although there are several ways in which this balises are deployed, we will mention two as examples:

1. The balise gives a standard message to the driver when driving over the balise. For example, a mileage similar to mile marker along the highway.
2. The balise give current information to the train driver about the state of the signals and other mutable issues. The distances between the balises may vary among themselves of just a few meters to several hundred, depending on where one wishes to provide the train operator of "traffic" information.

Specifications