Channel Tunnel Safety Authority (CTSA)
Advises the Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) on all aspects of safety within the Channel Tunnel.
Chef de train
Train crew member in charge of supervising the commercial operations during transit, the safety of passengers on board the Shuttle and controlling the on-board systems.
Concession
This term defines the cross Channel Fixed Link (the two rail tunnels, the service tunnel and technical areas, the two terminals at Coquelles and Folkestone, the links to the two national rail networks) and the operating system upon which it functions.
Crossover
A communicating railway track enabling trains to pass from one rail tunnel to the other, especially during maintenance operations. The two crossovers divide the length of the rail tunnels into three sections.
Cross-passage (CP)
Pedestrian passageway between the service tunnel and the rail tunnels, located every 375 metres.
EMS
Engineering Management System. This system enables the RCC controllers to operate, control and manage the fixed equipment, related in part to the rail traffic and rail traffic safety, excluding signalling.
EWS
English, Welsh & Scottish Railways is an operator of international rail freight services.
ICC
Inter Governmental Commission, established by the British and French governemnts, the IGC, with the assistance of the Safety Authority, has the role of monitoring operations within the Fixed Link.
IGC
The Inter-Governmental Commission supervises, on behalf of the British and French governments, all aspects of the Channel Tunnel operation, and defines the contents of the Safety Certificate.
RCC
The Rail Control Centre controls and monitors rail traffic within the concession, i.e. in the Tunnel and on the terminals in Folkestone and Coquelles. The RCC also controls and monitors all railway fixed equipment and other equipment linked to the operation of the system and to safety.
RTM
The Rail Traffic Management System enables the RCC controllers to operate, control and manage the signalling system and rail traffic movements.
Shuttle
A piggy back transport system operated by Eurotunnel, the Shuttles carry cars, motorcycles, coaches and trucks, their drivers, passengers and cargos between Folkestone (Kent) and Coquelles (Pas-de-Calais).
SNCF
Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français. The French state railway, which operates international rail freight services and is a part shareholder in Eurostar.
STTS
Service Tunnel Transportation System. An STTS vehicle is a road vehicle designed to convey maintenance staff and equipment, as well as emergency response teams, in the service tunnel.
SVS
The Supplementary Ventilation System provides a controled air flow in one or both rail tunnels. It controls the direction of smoke removal in order to create a safe environment for passenger evacuation or the intervention of the emergency services.
TCC
The Terminal Control Centre is responsible for controlling and monitoring road traffic movements and non-railway fixed equipment throughout the terminal, up to and including the platforms. There is a TCC on each terminal.
Tunnel interval
A section of rail tunnel between the portal and a crossover or between two crossovers.
TVM
The track-to-train transmission system enables continuous transmission of data from the track to the train on the line ahead. The data is generated by track circuit equipment and picked up by the train. The TVM also incorporates a speed control system.