ALSTOM equips the first swiss line with the ERTMS
solution

After the Rome-Naples line, the first very high speed line
to be equipped by ALSTOM with a level 2 ERTMS system, the
Mattstetten-Rothrist line represents the largest operational
deployment on a conventional line, with 468 trains and 45 Km of
line equipped. 

The operation represented a real challenge requiring
technical integration and industrial convergence between 3
different manufacturers. The fleet is made up of 10 different
train references; the radio block centres (RBC) and the
on-board equipment are supplied by ALSTOM, the ground beacons
and the points management system by other suppliers.

A cornerstone of the Swiss Bahn 2000 project
for level 2 ERTMS migration to the whole Swiss federal network,
the device will allow trains to run at 200 km/h, at 2 minute
intervals, instead of the present 160 km/h. Complete commercial
service is planned for the end of 2006.

This development marks a further step towards the
standardisation of the European rail market, which will make
crossing frontiers easier, increase line operating capacity,
maximise traffic safety and reduce journey times.

Press contacts:

Clotilde Provost 

Tel: + 33 (0)1 41 66 91 43  

clotilde.provost@transport.alstom.com

Catherine Patillon-Kalfa

Tel: + 33 (0)1 41 66 99 97 

catherine.patillon-kalfa@transport.alstom.com