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.

About  Alstom 

As a promoter of sustainable mobility, Alstom develops and markets systems, equipment and services for the railway sector. Alstom manages the widest range of solutions in the market from high-speed trains to metros and tramways and associated maintenance, modernisation, infrastructure and signalling solutions. Alstom is a world leader in integrated railway systems. It recorded sales of 6.2 billion and booked 10 billion of orders in the 2014/15 fiscal year. Headquartered in France, Alstom is present in over 60 countries and employs 32,000 people today.

About Siemens Spain 

Siemens Spain employs staff of around 3,400 in our country (excluding 50%-owned companies). In Spain the company boasts centres of global excellence in which it innovates, manufactures and exports, such as Cornellà (rail line materials), Getafe (portable radio-diagnostic equipment) or Rubí (electrical materials).

Siemens Rail Automation is the company that resulted from Siemens acquisition of the Invensys Rail Dimetronic group. The new Mobility division provides integrated mobility solutions using cutting-edge rail line signalling and automatic train control technology.

About  CAF Signalling 

CAF Signalling is a technological subsidiary of the CAF Group. It is devoted to the development, design, manufacture and maintenance of railway signalling systems. Currently CAF is an international lead providing comprehensive global rail solutions which, in addition to the supply of trains, includes viability studies, civil work, electrification, signalling, maintenance and system operation in some cases. CAF is a group where more than 7.500 people work in. CAF has production plants in Beasain. Zaragoza, Irún, Castejón and Linares. Today, in addition to Spain, CAF also has plants all over the world.  CAF reached a business amount of 1.447 millions of euros in 2014. CAF has developed projects in more than 30 countries, with a global amount above 20.000 millions of euros. CAF is the main supplier of RENFE, Spanish National Railways Network, providing trains and services to metros, tram-trains and trains to the main cities of the country.