Siemens has secured a contract worth around €800m from Norway’s state-owned company Bane NOR to upgrade the signalling system of the country’s entire railroad network.
As part of the contract, the country will equip around 4,200km of track with the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2-type Trainguard, combined with Sinet, an interlocking-type Simis W and IP-based wayside network communication solution.
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It also includes providing maintenance services for 25 years starting with the commissioning of the first line.
Expected to be completed in 2034, the implementation of new digital signalling system will improve safety, capacity and punctuality of the rail system.
Bane NOR executive vice-president Sverre Kjenne said: “This marks the start of modernisation of the railway network in Norway.
“Bane NOR is creating the railway of the future with one of Norway’s largest digitisation projects.”
The scope of the project involves the delivery of a complete signalling system with interlockings, the ETCS Level 2 system, point machines and train detection systems, as well as level crossings and related infrastructure along the lines.
The first line to be upgraded with the new signalling system will be Nordlandsbanen and is expected to begin operations in 2022.
With ETCS as a cab-signalling system, the signal aspects are directly transferred to the driver’s cab thereby eliminating the need of main signals along the lines. The process is expected to streamline rail operations.
Siemens Mobility Division CEO Michael Peter said: “Together with Bane NOR Siemens will renew the complete Norwegian rail network into a full digital IP based system – a real ‘Internet of Things’ system.
“This will save much hardware, allow for maximised capacity and provide the basis for data based minimised preventive maintenance.”
Bane NOR plans to invest more than €2bn to digitise its railway network over a ten-year period.
