Thales has secured a contract from the Gülermak-Kolin joint venture for Turkish State Railways (TCDD) to modernise a 36km rail section stretching from Sincan to Kayas via the country's capital, Ankara.
The Baskentray project will involve the renovation of the signalling systems for conventional, high-speed and suburban lines along the section, and is expected to help improve mobility and rail transport safety in Ankara.
It will also connect the Ankara-Istanbul high-speed line with Ankara through the new Sincan North-Ankara-Kayas network, which currently relies on Thales technology and has been in service since 2009.
The deal will see the company install the most advanced systems such as a Centralised Traffic Control System, electronic interlocking systems, and ETCS Level 1 and 2 automatic train protection systems.
Trackside signalling equipment for two-way traffic, and interfaces between high-speed lines, conventional lines and level crossings will also be added as part of the development.
The project will help improve passenger mobility and safety in Ankara by modernising the commuter train system, in addition to renovating the signalling systems in the capital and extending Turkey's high-speed rail network.
Thales has already installed its signalling and telecommunications systems along the more than 400km of the high-speed line between Ankara and Istanbul.
The new contract is expected to strengthen the company's presence in Turkey and its commitment to the national rail market.
Thales' Turkey-based subsidiary was initially set up in 2009 and employs more than 80 local signalling experts, who are charged with implementing all of the company's programmes across the country.
