Italian railways (RFI) has selected a consortium led by Hitachi Rail to design and deliver ERTMS digital signaling on the 1.885 kilometer rail network in central and northern Italy.
The project will cover lines to Emilia Romagna, Tuscany, Piedmont, Lombardy, Liguria, Veneto and Friuli-Venezia-Giulia regions.
The technology includes a radio system that ensures communication between the train and the track, as well as the automatic activation of the emergency brakes in case of danger.
The technology also improves train efficiency by regulating speed, acceleration and braking, which in turn reduces energy consumption.
This new framework agreement worth €867 million (US$895,17 million) follows the previous €700 million (US$500 million) contract for the design and implementation of ERTMS digital signaling on 516,29 km of railway lines across Italy .
ERTMS is already used on Italy's high-speed rail lines, but expanding the technology to regional lines will better enable trains from neighboring European countries to run uninterruptedly in Italy.
Michele Fracchiolla, Executive Director of Europe and Australia – LoB Rail Control Hitachi Rail said: “We are very pleased with this contract that will allow us to add an additional 1.885 km of digital signaling technology to the Italian rail network.
“ERTMS technology will greatly benefit passengers by increasing train reliability, punctuality and frequency to create an integrated European rail network.”
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