Euskal Trenbide Sarea (ETS-RFV), the manager of the Basque railway network, has awarded Thales a contract for the renewal of the Euroloop Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system to the ERTMS Level 1.
With an installation and execution period of 60 months, including 45 months of maintenance of the new installations and a budget of over EUR 13 million, this project is a crucial first step in replacing the Seltrac Euroloop system throughout the Basque railway network with a European standard and interoperable automatic train protection system.
Regarding the maintenance services Thales has an extensive experience in various countries on all types of railway lines, including 13 years of installing its technology on the ETS network, thus proving its capabilities and expertise to guarantee the operability of ERTMS Level 1 for the contracted section.
The contract will be executed in three phases, beginning with a pilot section between the Araso and Hendaye facilities in France, followed by the Usurbil – Araso section. Simultaneously, an ERTMS Central Station with two Command Posts will be set up to manage the new system.
A detailed engineering study specific to the unique characteristics of the Basque railway network will be developed prior to the system’s installation, along with the drafting of the construction project.
The implementation of this European standard signalling system enables technical interoperability, as well as standardise the interfaces and protocols between the on-board equipment in Euskotren trains and the ETS track infrastructure. This initiative will allow the Basque railway network to achieve safety, reliability, and technology standards on par with those of other European rail networks.
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