The Digital Schedule: UIC Leaflet 612-05 Electronic Timetable

Introduction to UIC Leaflet 612-05

For over a century, train drivers relied on thick paper binders (the “graphic timetable”) to know their arrival times, speed limits, and station stops. In the modern digital cab, this paper is replaced by a screen. UIC Leaflet 612-05, titled “Display System in Driver’s Cab (DDS) – Electronic Timetable Display (ETD),” creates a standardized interface for this critical information.

Part of the broader UIC 612 series (which harmonizes the entire driver’s desk), this specific leaflet ensures that whether a driver is in a German ICE or a French TGV, the digital schedule looks and behaves in a familiar way. It integrates the timetable directly into the Driver Display System (DDS), often sitting right next to the speedometer and signaling screen.

Snippet Definition: What is UIC 612-05?

UIC Leaflet 612-05 is a technical standard specifying the functional requirements, visual layout, and operating logic for the Electronic Timetable Display (ETD) within the harmonized Driver Display System (DDS). It defines how schedule data (arrival/departure times, speed restrictions, track info) is presented to the driver and how it interacts with other systems like ETCS to provide a seamless, paperless driving experience.

Functional Scope

The ETD is not just a static PDF of a schedule; it is a dynamic tool. UIC 612-05 defines several key capabilities:

1. The “Rolling” Map

The core view is a vertical list of track kilometers and stations that scrolls automatically as the train moves (driven by odometer or GPS input). It shows:

• Location Points: Stations, signals, and switching points.
• Speed Profile: The maximum authorized speed for each sector.
• Timing: Scheduled vs. Actual time (indicating “Delay” or “Ahead of Schedule” in minutes).

2. Operational Modes

The standard requires the display to adapt to the train’s signaling mode:

• ETCS Mode: When running under European Train Control System supervision, the ETD provides complementary information (like commercial stops) that ETCS might not show.
• STM Mode: When running on legacy national lines (e.g., PZB in Germany), the ETD acts as the primary source of speed limits for the driver.

The UIC 612 Display Ecosystem

UIC 612-05 is just one screen in a multi-screen desk. It is important to understand where it fits.

User Interface (HMI) Design

To maintain safety, UIC 612-05 mandates a “Dark Cab” philosophy (screens should not dazzle) and consistent interaction logic:

• Softkeys: Navigation is typically controlled by a row of standardized physical or touch buttons (Softkeys) at the bottom of the screen.
• Legibility: High contrast text (often white on dark blue or black) to ensure readability in direct sunlight or tunnels.
• Redundancy: If the dedicated ETD screen fails, the standard allows the timetable application to be “swapped” to the Diagnostic screen (TDD) so the driver is never left blind.

Operational Advantages

Implementing UIC 612-05 brings massive efficiency gains:

• Real-Time Updates: Control centers can upload a new schedule wirelessly if the train is rerouted (e.g., due to an accident), which is impossible with paper.
• Energy Saving: By seeing the exact arrival time required, drivers can “coast” (drive efficiently) rather than rushing to a station only to wait.
• Safety: Automatic scrolling reduces driver distraction (no need to turn pages manually).