Hitachi Rail has been awarded a contract to upgrade two major railway infrastructure projects in Thailand with European Train Control System (ETCS) digital signalling.
Hitachi Rail’s ETCS Level 1 system will be installed trackside on the Northeast Line from Nong Waeng Rai to Nong Phok and on the North Line from Den Chai to Ngao, on a total of 780.7 km, as well as on board three vehicles.
Both projects are part of Thailand’s long-term double-track development programme, which aims to improve intercity rail connections by safely increasing line speed. To achieve this, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is refurbishing and upgrading mainline railways by adding a second track, modernising stations, renewing the signalling and telecommunication systems and as a final step equipping the lines with ETCS as the chosen national train control system.
ETCS works by using trackside signals to communicate with the train and to monitor the trains movement and speed limit on the track. The technology can enable trains to travel with greater reliability and safety at greater speeds, increasing capacity on the track.
The first phase of this nationwide expansion project covers seven routes, with Hitachi Rail as the main supplier for ETCS. Capturing the new projects now within the second phase of the double-track programme underlines Hitachi Rail’s ETCS market leadership in Thailand, achieved through its trusted partnerships and efficient adaptation to local requirements. Hitachi Rail is a global industry leader in digital signalling and was one of the pioneers to introduce ETCS technology, including in a number of Asian markets.
“We are proud to continue enhancing safety on Thailand’s rail network. From solution design and equipment supply to installation support, testing, and commissioning, our experts deliver a proven solution for both passengers and freight, which is installed on over 26,000 kilometres of mainline railway signalling systems around the world,” Hannes Boyer, VP Mainline Signalling, Hitachi Rail, said.
The recently concluded contracts have been signed with the South Korean company LS Electric Co. Ltd., who is responsible for the complete signalling and telecommunications scope on those lines.
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