Spanish railway infrastructure manager ADIF has completed validation of the new ALSTOM Atlas 200 European railways traffic management system (ERTMS) for level 2 signalling on the newly finished Albacete-Alicante high-speed line.
The European version -2.3.0.D of the ERTMS system was installed on the 165km-long double track line and it is the first of its type to be installed in the country.
The radio-frequency signalling system is based on continuous train positioning and it positions the train intermittently using Eurobalises, unlike the conventional system.
This technology will enable trains running from Madrid to Alicante to reduce their journey time.
Alstom Spain and Portugal transport information solutions managing director Ignacio Rodriguez said: "The signalling project was completed in 18 months and is the most technologically complex project implemented so far in Spain. Furthermore, the project, which is also financed by the EIB, was completed totally in accordance with the original tender budget."
Alstom has secured ERTMS technology contracts in 23 countries to date, covering 1,200km and over 4,150 trains.
It has installed ERTMS Level 2 signalling system on the Rome-Naples line in Italy, a cross-border high-speed line running from Liege in Belgium to the German border, a higher traffic density line between Mattstetten and Rothrist in Switzerland and a freight-only line Betuwe Route in the Netherlands.
Image: ERTMS Level 2 signalling system positions the train intermittently using Eurobalises. Photo: courtesy of Alstom.
