ALSTOM signs contract with Swiss Railways for European
Train Control System (ETCS)

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This landmark project is the largest order to date for this
proven, next-generation technology, which will greatly improve
rail network performance not only in Switzerland but ultimately
throughout Europe. This is the first of many projects within the
framework of the SBB’s “Bahn 2000 plan” for
network performance improvement.

For this turnkey contract, ALSTOM will supply components from
its ATLAS system for signaling and train control, which meets
ETCS levels 1 and 2. Specifically, ALSTOM will provide the
on-board equipment, the radio-block system and peripherals; and
the on-board cab-radio system. ALSTOM units involved in this
project include those Charleroi, Belgium; Borehamwood, UK and
Villeurbanne, France.

Bruce ALSPACH, Senior Vice President ALSTOM Transport
Information Solutions, said:

'This award is a great success for ALSTOM; not only because
it is the first signaling order we have received in this country,
but also because it truly establishes the European Rail Traffic
Management System as the standard for future signaling systems in
Europe. ERTMS is vitally important to Europe as a whole, as it
will provide, for the first time, interoperability of trains
across the entire continent. Switzerland lies at the very center
of Europe; our project will initiate the development of this
seamless network.”

The contract came into force upon signing. Final delivery
and commissioning are scheduled for November 2004.

Editor’s notes

SBB/CFF/FFS conducted intensive studies to define the strategy
and guidelines for the changeover of the whole Swiss Railways
network from Signaling based on Signum + ZUB 121 to ETCS. The
contract for the Mattstetten- Rothrist contract is the first step
in deploying this strategy.

This order will be the largest to date for ERTMS on-board
equipment.

For the Swiss, ERTMS will provide and excellent means of
boosting rail traffic on the high density routes of their
network, and later, on most other routes in Switzerland.

Over half of Switzerland’s freight traffic originates or
terminates outside the country. ERTMS will boost international
traffic, helping interoperability, improving operation safety,
providing a better driving ergonomics through a simpler,
user-friendly cab layout, while lowering installation, operation
and maintenance costs.

This choice by Swiss Railways may serve to accelerate further
ERTMS in neighboring countries in months to come.

ATLAS

ATLAS global train control and management systems are
dedicated both to very high density operations – including
high speed, intercity and regional lines – and for low
density lines, freight railways and single track operations. This
modular solution complies with the three ERTMS functional levels.
ATLAS is designed to be seamlessly upgradable as rail systems
evolve.

 

Over 200, 000 km of rail track worldwide depend on
ALSTOM-built control and signaling systems. (equal to 5 times
around the Earth)

ALSTOM Transport, with annual sales of € 4.4 billion, is
an internationally leading supplier of rolling stock, information
systems, services and complete turnkey systems to the rail
industry.

Press relations
Ruth Pavans

Tel. 33 1 41 66 97 16

ruth.pavans@transport.alstom.com

• Visit the CFF website (French)
• Visit the SBB website (German)
• Visit the FFS website (Italian)