Bane NOR, the Norwegian railway infrastructure manager, awarded Siemens a EUR 800 million contract to upgrade the signalling equipment of the entire country’s rail network, a contract which includes services for 25 years. The contract marks the biggest rail infrastructure order in Siemens history.
Under the contract, Siemens will equip the entire railway network of approximately 4,200 track kilometers with the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 type Trainguard combined with the interlocking type Simis W and IP-based wayside network communication solution type Sinet.
Commissioning of the rollout lines is scheduled to be completed by 2034. The first line to be equipped with the new signaling system will be the Nordlandsbanen and is scheduled to begin operation in 2022. The introduction of ETCS in the Oslo area is planned for 2026. Completion of the new interlocking and train control system is planned by 2034.
“This marks the start of modernization of the railway network in Norway. Bane NOR is creating the railway of the future with one of Norway’s largest digitization projects. We are confident, that Siemens, by winning the contract to provide a new digital signal system, will contribute significantly to our network’s modernization,” Sverre Kjenne, Bane NOR Executive Vice President said.
The investment in ETCS is a major step in a Norwegian railway revolution. Bane NOR will invest more than EUR 2 billion in digitalization and automation of its railway network over a ten-year period. This will be done through Bane NOR’s ERTMS initiative, and will make Norway a pacesetter in using digital technology in the rail sector.
“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. All will be controlled via a central interlocking in Oslo, which gives the trains the authority to proceed via our ETCS Level 2 solution. The contract is not only the largest single delivery for Siemens in Norway, but also for the Siemens rail infrastructure business ever,” Michael Peter, CEO of the Mobility Division said.
The project’s scope of delivery includes the complete signalling system with interlockings, ETCS Level 2 system, point machines, train detection systems, level crossings and associated infrastructure along the lines. Implementation will be carried out during ongoing operations. The Sinet distributed smart safety system is based on industry standard communication interfaces and includes functionality for cloud-based services. With the ETCS as a cab-signaling system, main signals are no longer required along the lines since signal aspects are directly transferred to the driver’s cab.
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