SNCF Réseau launches FRMCS prototype initiatives
In a bid to modernise and enhance railway communication systems, Europe is gearing up to usher in the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS-5G), slated to replace the ageing GSM-R (2G) by 2035. The system...Read more
Cybersecurity for rail systems – how to maintain it in the digital age
Although in fairly moderate steps, the rail industry is moving towards the digital age without a return ticket. What does rail need, to be comprehensively secured on the verge of the digital age? Read more
“Don’t reinvent the wheel”: Lessons from Rail Baltica
INTERVIEWDesigning future-proof digital infrastructure for a greenfield railway project is no small feat. Andy Billington, Innovation and Digital Architecture Senior Expert at Rail Baltica, shares his perspective on the opportunities and challenges that come with...Read more
What needs to happen before ERTMS may be implemented in rail?
BackgroundMany years ago, the European Union set itself the ambitious goal of making railways safe and interoperable. One of the key ways of achieving this goal is the implementation of the European Rail Traffic Management...Read more
GSM-R modernisation Lithuania concluded
After 15 months of modernisation works by Kontron Transportation, the GSM-R system on trains in Lithuania is updated again.Read more
UIC: 5G delay has no effect on new rail communication system
EU Member States are significantly behind schedule in rolling out their 5G networks, putting the EU’s timeline for the 5G rollout at risk. However, the delay will not affect the deployment of the Future Railway...Read more
Italy sets out 500 million tender for ERTMS in 5 regions
Italy’s railway manager RFI will roll out ERTMS on 3,400 kilometres of railway network by 2026, and published a tender for this. Italy has included the infrastructure upgrade in their plans for Covid-19 recovery funds...Read more
How a communications failure crippled the Dutch rail network
The majority of rail traffic in the Netherlands came to a standstill on Monday afternoon due to a malfunction in ProRail’s communication system. Communication between train drivers and train traffic control was blocked. Train traffic...Read more
ProRail signs with Nokia for GSM-R managed services
Nokia will provide operational and managed services for ProRail’s GSM-Railway (GSM-R) voice and data communications network in the Netherlands. The infrastructure manager has also concluded a contract with telecommunications provider Cellnex to set up eighty...Read more
ERTMS level 2 installation complete on Polish high-speed line
Alstom, Thales and Nokia have completed a high-speed signalling upgrade in Poland. The consortium has installed ERTMS/ETCS Level 2 on the E65 railway line which links Warsaw with Gdynia. The project was based on a...Read more
Infrabel installed ETCS on 30 percent of the main rail net
Belgian infrastructure manager Infrabel has equipped 1.915 kilometres of track with train control system ETCS up until January 2021. This makes up 30 percent of the 6.399 kilometres of the main rail net, which Infrabel...Read more
Security monitoring tool launched for GSM-R and ETCS
Comtest Wireless has launched a new cyber sniffing tool that works in real-time for security monitoring of GSM-R and ETCS. The company’s NetProbe Owl installation is the first-generation security monitoring on the market to help...Read more
Substantial challenges for 5G deployment on rails
5G is vital to foster further development and digital transformation of the rail sector. European rail manufacturers appreciate this communication technology in implementing new signalling solutions and Automatic Train Operation (ATO). However, railway undertakings and...Read more