Alstom : Works start to install the ERTMS signalling system in the Atlantic Corridor in Spain

• The project was awarded to a consortium formed by Alstom, Siemens Rail Automation and CAF Signalling.
• The Level 1 ERTMS train protection system will be installed in the Atlantic Corridor, on the La Coruña-Santiago and Santiago-Vigo connection.

The works to install the ERTMS[1] level 1 train safety and protection system will start in the Atlantic Corridor this month, on the La Coruña-Santiago and Santiago-Vigo links.

This project was awarded by Adif to a consortium composed of Alstom, Siemens Rail Automation and CAF Signalling for a total amount of €63.2 million. In addition to the installation of the safety and traffic control system the consortium will also maintain it for 20 years.

The consortium is made up of leading companies in the Spanish railway signalling, control and telecommunications sectors, with extensive experience carrying out projects on high-speed lines as well as conventional and suburban lines.

The European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) is a train command and control system adopted by the European Union to be outfitted on all new lines that are built in countries of the EU. The objective is for signalling and communications between the track and on-board train equipment to be compatible throughout Europe and to enable railway traffic interoperability among the various EU states.

Alstom will install its Atlas 100 solution, for ERTMS level 1 between Redondela and Villagarcía de Arousa (35 kilometres of dual track) on the Vigo-Santiago high-speed section of the Atlantic Corridor. This link has Alstom Smartlock interlockings. The company will also install an ERTMS control centre with Atlas technology.

Siemens will install its Trainguard Futur 1300 for Level 1 ERTMS on the Vilagarcía de Arousa - Santiago - Cerceda link, where the interlockings use Siemens Trackguard Westrace technology; and on the Cerceda - La Coruña link. Siemens will also install two new ERTMS control centres with Trainguard Futur technology to control the Atlantic Corridor train protection systems. CAF Signalling will install its Level 1 ERTMS AURIGA system on the Vigo-Urzaiz - Redondela high-speed link, which currently uses electronic interlocking with QUASAR S3e CAF Signalling technology.

Each member of the Consortium will install its ERTMS system on connections where they have previously installed signalling technologies.

[1] European Railway Traffic Management System.