There consists of 5 different levels (Level 0 to Level 4).
Levels 2, 3, and 4 are back-compatible with lower levels.
Level 0 is used on lines with conventional trackside signalling. Train drivers follow trackside signals primarily, with cab signals as back-up. UCS receives train fixed block occupation signals from track circuits and is shown as cab signals using digital signal processes. TOSU/LKJ is used to supervise speed limits and can only advise train drivers on braking curves. The drivers are mainly responsible for maintaining train speed protection.
The track circuit is used both for train occupation detection and movement authorization, its architecture is similar to TVM-300. Balises and track circuit serves to provide intermittent trackside information and automatic train protection (ATP) to cab equipment. Trackside signalling is not mandatory and can be replaced with cab signalling using DMI. LKJ can be equipped as redundancy on CTCS-0 lines. Minimum headways on CTCS-2 is 180 seconds.
Currently, Level 4 is not in use on any tracks and exists only as a conceptual system equivalent to ETCS-3. It is being developed and defined by signalling manufacturers in China.
Hitachi Rail - Hitachi wins contract to supply Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system for China's dedicated high speed passenger line Archived 2010-03-10 at the Wayback Machine http://www.hitachi-rail.com/rail_now/hot_topics/2008/081020/index.html
Bin Ning (2003-12-08). "Intelligent Control In Railway Network". Beijing Jiaotong University. Archived from the original on 2012-04-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20120423164058/http://www.ertico.com/download/bits_documents/day1_01.ppt
Lv, Jidong; Chen, Lei; Tang, Tao; Zhao, Ning (September 2016). "Chinese train control system principles" (PDF). IRSE News (225): 2–5. https://webinfo.uk/webdocssl/irse-kbase/ref-viewer.aspx?Refno=-1442186958&GroupMembers={04%20IRSE%20NEWS%20-%20all%20papers}{11%20Cab%20sig%20(inc.%20ETCS/CBTC)}{13%20Signalling%20Principles}{16%20Train%20Prot.%20Systems}{IRSE%20NEWS%20-%202016%20papers%20*}_&document=IRSE%20News%20225%20(Sep%202016).PDF
Lv, Jidong; Chen, Lei; Tang, Tao; Zhao, Ning (September 2016). "Chinese train control system principles" (PDF). IRSE News (225): 2–5. https://webinfo.uk/webdocssl/irse-kbase/ref-viewer.aspx?Refno=-1442186958&GroupMembers={04%20IRSE%20NEWS%20-%20all%20papers}{11%20Cab%20sig%20(inc.%20ETCS/CBTC)}{13%20Signalling%20Principles}{16%20Train%20Prot.%20Systems}{IRSE%20NEWS%20-%202016%20papers%20*}_&document=IRSE%20News%20225%20(Sep%202016).PDF
Xue, Anthony Weiqing; Cui, Sara; Yan, Fei; Yi, Haiwang (April 2016). "The New Development of CTCS in the Intercity Railway" (PDF). IRSE News. Retrieved 2022-08-15. https://webinfo.uk/webdocssl/irse-kbase/ref-viewer.aspx?id=82&RefNo=1462697577&document=2.12%20Development%20of%20the%20Chinese%20Train%20Control%20System%20(CTCS)%20-%20Anthony%20Xue.PDF
Bin Ning (2003-12-08). "Intelligent Control In Railway Network". Beijing Jiaotong University. Archived from the original on 2012-04-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20120423164058/http://www.ertico.com/download/bits_documents/day1_01.ppt
Lv, Jidong; Chen, Lei; Tang, Tao; Zhao, Ning (September 2016). "Chinese train control system principles" (PDF). IRSE News (225): 2–5. https://webinfo.uk/webdocssl/irse-kbase/ref-viewer.aspx?Refno=-1442186958&GroupMembers={04%20IRSE%20NEWS%20-%20all%20papers}{11%20Cab%20sig%20(inc.%20ETCS/CBTC)}{13%20Signalling%20Principles}{16%20Train%20Prot.%20Systems}{IRSE%20NEWS%20-%202016%20papers%20*}_&document=IRSE%20News%20225%20(Sep%202016).PDF
Xue, Anthony Weiqing; Cui, Sara; Yan, Fei; Yi, Haiwang (April 2016). "The New Development of CTCS in the Intercity Railway" (PDF). IRSE News. Retrieved 2022-08-15. https://webinfo.uk/webdocssl/irse-kbase/ref-viewer.aspx?id=82&RefNo=1462697577&document=2.12%20Development%20of%20the%20Chinese%20Train%20Control%20System%20(CTCS)%20-%20Anthony%20Xue.PDF
The newer source (2016) says ATP is installed on CTCS-1 while the source from the previous year (2015) does not say so.
Lv, Jidong; Chen, Lei; Tang, Tao; Zhao, Ning (September 2016). "Chinese train control system principles" (PDF). IRSE News (225): 2–5. https://webinfo.uk/webdocssl/irse-kbase/ref-viewer.aspx?Refno=-1442186958&GroupMembers={04%20IRSE%20NEWS%20-%20all%20papers}{11%20Cab%20sig%20(inc.%20ETCS/CBTC)}{13%20Signalling%20Principles}{16%20Train%20Prot.%20Systems}{IRSE%20NEWS%20-%202016%20papers%20*}_&document=IRSE%20News%20225%20(Sep%202016).PDF
Xue, Anthony Weiqing; Cui, Sara; Yan, Fei; Yi, Haiwang (April 2016). "The New Development of CTCS in the Intercity Railway" (PDF). IRSE News. Retrieved 2022-08-15. https://webinfo.uk/webdocssl/irse-kbase/ref-viewer.aspx?id=82&RefNo=1462697577&document=2.12%20Development%20of%20the%20Chinese%20Train%20Control%20System%20(CTCS)%20-%20Anthony%20Xue.PDF
Lv, Jidong; Chen, Lei; Tang, Tao; Zhao, Ning (September 2016). "Chinese train control system principles" (PDF). IRSE News (225): 2–5. https://webinfo.uk/webdocssl/irse-kbase/ref-viewer.aspx?Refno=-1442186958&GroupMembers={04%20IRSE%20NEWS%20-%20all%20papers}{11%20Cab%20sig%20(inc.%20ETCS/CBTC)}{13%20Signalling%20Principles}{16%20Train%20Prot.%20Systems}{IRSE%20NEWS%20-%202016%20papers%20*}_&document=IRSE%20News%20225%20(Sep%202016).PDF
Wang, Changlin. "Chinese High Speed Railway Train Control System" (PDF). Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, The Government of Hong Kong SAR. Retrieved 2022-08-15. https://www.emsd.gov.hk/minisites/symposium/2011/session/ppt/M4_PPT_CL%20Wang.pdf
Lv, Jidong; Chen, Lei; Tang, Tao; Zhao, Ning (September 2016). "Chinese train control system principles" (PDF). IRSE News (225): 2–5. https://webinfo.uk/webdocssl/irse-kbase/ref-viewer.aspx?Refno=-1442186958&GroupMembers={04%20IRSE%20NEWS%20-%20all%20papers}{11%20Cab%20sig%20(inc.%20ETCS/CBTC)}{13%20Signalling%20Principles}{16%20Train%20Prot.%20Systems}{IRSE%20NEWS%20-%202016%20papers%20*}_&document=IRSE%20News%20225%20(Sep%202016).PDF
Xue, Anthony Weiqing; Cui, Sara; Yan, Fei; Yi, Haiwang (April 2016). "The New Development of CTCS in the Intercity Railway" (PDF). IRSE News. Retrieved 2022-08-15. https://webinfo.uk/webdocssl/irse-kbase/ref-viewer.aspx?id=82&RefNo=1462697577&document=2.12%20Development%20of%20the%20Chinese%20Train%20Control%20System%20(CTCS)%20-%20Anthony%20Xue.PDF
Xue, Anthony Weiqing; Cui, Sara; Yan, Fei; Yi, Haiwang (April 2016). "The New Development of CTCS in the Intercity Railway" (PDF). IRSE News. Retrieved 2022-08-15. https://webinfo.uk/webdocssl/irse-kbase/ref-viewer.aspx?id=82&RefNo=1462697577&document=2.12%20Development%20of%20the%20Chinese%20Train%20Control%20System%20(CTCS)%20-%20Anthony%20Xue.PDF
Xue, Anthony Weiqing; Cui, Sara; Yan, Fei; Yi, Haiwang (April 2016). "The New Development of CTCS in the Intercity Railway" (PDF). IRSE News. Retrieved 2022-08-15. https://webinfo.uk/webdocssl/irse-kbase/ref-viewer.aspx?id=82&RefNo=1462697577&document=2.12%20Development%20of%20the%20Chinese%20Train%20Control%20System%20(CTCS)%20-%20Anthony%20Xue.PDF
"Beijing - Tianjin elevated design anticipates 350 km/h". 2006-03-01. Archived from the original on 2012-07-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20120728213430/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/beijing-tianjin-elevated-design-anticipates-350-kmh.html
Bin Ning (2003-12-08). "Intelligent Control In Railway Network". Beijing Jiaotong University. Archived from the original on 2012-04-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20120423164058/http://www.ertico.com/download/bits_documents/day1_01.ppt
Xue, Anthony Weiqing; Cui, Sara; Yan, Fei; Yi, Haiwang (April 2016). "The New Development of CTCS in the Intercity Railway" (PDF). IRSE News. Retrieved 2022-08-15. https://webinfo.uk/webdocssl/irse-kbase/ref-viewer.aspx?id=82&RefNo=1462697577&document=2.12%20Development%20of%20the%20Chinese%20Train%20Control%20System%20(CTCS)%20-%20Anthony%20Xue.PDF
Lv, Jidong; Chen, Lei; Tang, Tao; Zhao, Ning (September 2016). "Chinese train control system principles" (PDF). IRSE News (225): 2–5. https://webinfo.uk/webdocssl/irse-kbase/ref-viewer.aspx?Refno=-1442186958&GroupMembers={04%20IRSE%20NEWS%20-%20all%20papers}{11%20Cab%20sig%20(inc.%20ETCS/CBTC)}{13%20Signalling%20Principles}{16%20Train%20Prot.%20Systems}{IRSE%20NEWS%20-%202016%20papers%20*}_&document=IRSE%20News%20225%20(Sep%202016).PDF
Xue, Anthony Weiqing; Cui, Sara; Yan, Fei; Yi, Haiwang (April 2016). "The New Development of CTCS in the Intercity Railway" (PDF). IRSE News. Retrieved 2022-08-15. https://webinfo.uk/webdocssl/irse-kbase/ref-viewer.aspx?id=82&RefNo=1462697577&document=2.12%20Development%20of%20the%20Chinese%20Train%20Control%20System%20(CTCS)%20-%20Anthony%20Xue.PDF
Lv, Jidong; Chen, Lei; Tang, Tao; Zhao, Ning (September 2016). "Chinese train control system principles" (PDF). IRSE News (225): 2–5. https://webinfo.uk/webdocssl/irse-kbase/ref-viewer.aspx?Refno=-1442186958&GroupMembers={04%20IRSE%20NEWS%20-%20all%20papers}{11%20Cab%20sig%20(inc.%20ETCS/CBTC)}{13%20Signalling%20Principles}{16%20Train%20Prot.%20Systems}{IRSE%20NEWS%20-%202016%20papers%20*}_&document=IRSE%20News%20225%20(Sep%202016).PDF
Xue, Anthony Weiqing; Cui, Sara; Yan, Fei; Yi, Haiwang (April 2016). "The New Development of CTCS in the Intercity Railway" (PDF). IRSE News. Retrieved 2022-08-15. https://webinfo.uk/webdocssl/irse-kbase/ref-viewer.aspx?id=82&RefNo=1462697577&document=2.12%20Development%20of%20the%20Chinese%20Train%20Control%20System%20(CTCS)%20-%20Anthony%20Xue.PDF
Lv, Jidong; Chen, Lei; Tang, Tao; Zhao, Ning (September 2016). "Chinese train control system principles" (PDF). IRSE News (225): 2–5. https://webinfo.uk/webdocssl/irse-kbase/ref-viewer.aspx?Refno=-1442186958&GroupMembers={04%20IRSE%20NEWS%20-%20all%20papers}{11%20Cab%20sig%20(inc.%20ETCS/CBTC)}{13%20Signalling%20Principles}{16%20Train%20Prot.%20Systems}{IRSE%20NEWS%20-%202016%20papers%20*}_&document=IRSE%20News%20225%20(Sep%202016).PDF
Xue, Anthony Weiqing; Cui, Sara; Yan, Fei; Yi, Haiwang (April 2016). "The New Development of CTCS in the Intercity Railway" (PDF). IRSE News. Retrieved 2022-08-15. https://webinfo.uk/webdocssl/irse-kbase/ref-viewer.aspx?id=82&RefNo=1462697577&document=2.12%20Development%20of%20the%20Chinese%20Train%20Control%20System%20(CTCS)%20-%20Anthony%20Xue.PDF
Lv, Jidong; Chen, Lei; Tang, Tao; Zhao, Ning (September 2016). "Chinese train control system principles" (PDF). IRSE News (225): 2–5. https://webinfo.uk/webdocssl/irse-kbase/ref-viewer.aspx?Refno=-1442186958&GroupMembers={04%20IRSE%20NEWS%20-%20all%20papers}{11%20Cab%20sig%20(inc.%20ETCS/CBTC)}{13%20Signalling%20Principles}{16%20Train%20Prot.%20Systems}{IRSE%20NEWS%20-%202016%20papers%20*}_&document=IRSE%20News%20225%20(Sep%202016).PDF
Xue, Anthony Weiqing; Cui, Sara; Yan, Fei; Yi, Haiwang (April 2016). "The New Development of CTCS in the Intercity Railway" (PDF). IRSE News. Retrieved 2022-08-15. https://webinfo.uk/webdocssl/irse-kbase/ref-viewer.aspx?id=82&RefNo=1462697577&document=2.12%20Development%20of%20the%20Chinese%20Train%20Control%20System%20(CTCS)%20-%20Anthony%20Xue.PDF
Lv, Jidong; Chen, Lei; Tang, Tao; Zhao, Ning (September 2016). "Chinese train control system principles" (PDF). IRSE News (225): 2–5. https://webinfo.uk/webdocssl/irse-kbase/ref-viewer.aspx?Refno=-1442186958&GroupMembers={04%20IRSE%20NEWS%20-%20all%20papers}{11%20Cab%20sig%20(inc.%20ETCS/CBTC)}{13%20Signalling%20Principles}{16%20Train%20Prot.%20Systems}{IRSE%20NEWS%20-%202016%20papers%20*}_&document=IRSE%20News%20225%20(Sep%202016).PDF
Xue, Anthony Weiqing; Cui, Sara; Yan, Fei; Yi, Haiwang (April 2016). "The New Development of CTCS in the Intercity Railway" (PDF). IRSE News. Retrieved 2022-08-15. https://webinfo.uk/webdocssl/irse-kbase/ref-viewer.aspx?id=82&RefNo=1462697577&document=2.12%20Development%20of%20the%20Chinese%20Train%20Control%20System%20(CTCS)%20-%20Anthony%20Xue.PDF