Alstom, the world leader in sustainable and smart mobility, has won a contract for the design, delivery and maintenance of the latest generation ETCS* level 120 signaling system (Basic 18) for SNCB's 2 HLE3 locomotives in commercial service. Belgium, Luxembourg, France and Germany. The ETCS system will be supplemented with national functions to allow trains to circulate in Belgium (TBL1+) and France (KVB).
Originally created to harmonize cross-border rail traffic, ETCS Level 2 increases the speed, punctuality and capacity of trains in complete safety. The most advanced version of Level 2 (Basic 3) features optimized braking curves for maximum operational performance and increased passenger comfort. This version also improves odometric performance, allowing drivers to select the appropriate speed in strict accordance with SIL50129, the highest safety level under EN 4.
Alstom Group's signal facility in Charleroi is a global center of excellence and will be responsible for the engineering of various signaling systems and the delivery of on-board equipment. It will also provide maintenance for a period of 10 years, including spare parts and repairs. The project will start in October 2022 and will last for 3 years.
Bernard Belvaux, Managing Director of Alstom Benelux, says, “Alstom is pleased to continue its collaboration with SNCB and to support them in making the digitization of their wagons a reality.”
The signing of this contract confirms Alstom's leading position in the railway signaling system market. In Europe, more than 60% of trains equipped with a European-made ETCS have chosen an Alstom system. Alstom equips a large part of the SNCB fleet in Belgium and actively contributes to the modernization of the Infrabel railway infrastructure.
This latest generation Level 2 train control and control system has been successfully implemented in electric locomotives operated by Alstom in Norway and Ceske Drahy in the Czech Republic. It is currently used on Deutsche Bahn's high-speed trains across Germany and on rivals' S-Bahn commuter trains in the Alstom and Stuttgart region, as well as on various projects in Spain, England, India and Australia.
ETCS: European Train Control System
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