Alstom Supplies Europe's Largest Computerised Interlocking Machine
06 November 2006 10:55
On 5th November, RFF, which manages France's railway infrastructure and the SNCF, the country's national railway company, commenced operation of the new computerised interlocking machine (IXL) at Strasbourg station, in north-eastern France. With 1,275 possible routes, the Strasbourg IXL, built by ALSTOM, is one of the largest such systems ever put into operation in Europe.
Ahead of the entry into service of the East European TGV in June 2007, and faced with the need to manage an average of 1,000 trains per day, Strasbourg station felt itself compelled to abandon electromechanical technology and equip itself with a modern, high-performance interlocking machine capable of handling the increased traffic flows.
The new Strasbourg IXL will allow for:
- Increased operational flexibility - supervision of traffic is made easier, as is the programming and automation of certain commands
- Better traffic management when standard operations are disrupted, for example when work is being conducted on the track.
Developed as part of a contract worth around €70 million, awarded to Alstom by RFF in March 2001, the Strasbourg station forms part of a programme of signalling system renovation covering 14 stations, of which four (Luneville-Bacarat, Ostricourt, Melun and Metz) are already in service. Four others, adjoining the East European high-speed line (Pagny-sur-Moselle, Nancy, Vaires-Chelles, Reims), will come into operation over the next few months.
Alstom is the supplier of computerized interlocking machines for medium-sized and large French railway stations to RFF. Taking all French stations equipped with computerized interlocking machines into account, almost half have been supplied by Alstom.
At the same time, Alstom Transport's design office has been working on a new-generation computerised interlocking machine (NGIXL). More powerful, thanks to the use of the very latest technology, the new system's architecture will include a dedicated, highly available fail-safe digital computer capable of managing traffic at very large stations.
With this new product, Alstom Transport is responding to the needs of RFF in respect of performance and safety. The new system is also compatible with the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) directive, which answers the needs of interoperability throughout the European rail network, and responds to RFF's requirements in respect of cost optimisation over the system's life cycle.
In April 2006, RFF also awarded ALSTOM a framework contract worth €50 million for the supply of NGIXLs for its largest stations. The first new system will come into operation in around 2010/11.
For more information on this company:
ALSTOM - Very High Speed, Intercity and Surburban Trains
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