The European control-command, signalling and communication system (ERTMS) was launched in the early 1990s as a research project by some engineers and evolved over time to become the main flagship initiative of the EU. The objectives of ERTMS are multiple: increase safety and capacity of the railway system, decrease costs due to easier maintenance and ensure a fully interoperable system by replacing the national legacy systems. Furthermore, the EU and the European industry endeavour to establish ERTMS as a global reference.