The Universal Dashboard: UIC 612-0 and the Harmonized Driver Desk

What is UIC Leaflet 612-0?

UIC Leaflet 612-0 is the foundational document in the series titled “Driver Machine Interfaces for railway rolling stock – Part 0: General principles for the display and keyboard.” It establishes the overarching philosophy and technical requirements for standardizing the screens and controls (DMI) inside the driver’s cab.

In the era of cross-border rail operations, a driver may operate a locomotive from Manufacturer A in the morning and Manufacturer B in the afternoon. UIC 612-0 aims to eliminate confusion by harmonizing the layout, symbols, and interaction logic of the driver’s desk. This ensures that essential information—such as speed, braking curves, and signaling data—is presented consistently, regardless of the vehicle brand.

The Concept of Soft Keys and Hard Keys

A core contribution of the UIC 612 series is the standardized definition of input methods on the display unit. This structure is now the industry standard for ETCS (European Train Control System) displays:

• Soft Keys: Buttons located directly around the screen area whose function changes depending on the menu or operational context (e.g., “Confirm,” “Override,” “Data Entry”). Labels are displayed digitally on the screen next to the physical button.
• Hard Keys: Dedicated physical buttons with fixed functions that never change, such as “Dimming,” “Volume Control,” or “Emergency Call.”

Relation to ERTMS/ETCS

UIC 612-0 serves as the ergonomic backbone for the ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) DMI. While ETCS defines what information must be shown, UIC 612 defines how the screen should be structured physically and logically to minimize the driver’s cognitive load. It divides the screen into specific zones:

A-Zone: Speed indication.
B-Zone: Planning area (future track profile).
C-Zone: Supervision and text messages.
D-Zone: Driver input area.

Comparison: Proprietary vs. Harmonized DMI