SNCF Réseau has launched its first digital interlocking system under the Argos program. This advanced technology is set to reduce deployment times by 30% and cut ownership costs by 15%, while enhancing overall performance across the network. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The Argos program, initiated in June 2018, aims to replace outdated mechanical, electro-mechanical, and electrical interlocking systems with modern computer-based interlocking solutions. These new systems offer more reliable, efficient, and cost-effective operations.

SNCF Réseau has launched its first digital interlocking system under the Argos program.
Photo: Hitachi-ARGOS44

By centralizing the real-time management of critical data and decentralizing controllers positioned near trackside equipment, digital interlocking improves modularity and standardization. This reduces the need for excessive cabling and civil works, while simplifying obsolescence management for future upgrades.

Digital Interlocking Technology and Its Benefits

The introduction of digital interlocking technology marks a major advancement in railway signaling. It combines flexibility with reduced infrastructure complexity, ensuring safer and more efficient operations. This system provides substantial cost reductions and longer-term sustainability, making it a game-changer for the industry.

First Digital Interlocking Installation Commissioned in Chasse-sur-Rhône

SNCF Réseau selected three consortia in September 2020 to develop, implement, and maintain these systems. The first digital interlocking installation, led by Hitachi Rail, Equans, and SNIC Signalisation, has been successfully commissioned in Chasse-sur-Rhône, near Lyon.

Christophe Jeanney, the GTS Country Director at Hitachi Rail in France, emphasized the importance of this collaboration. “Our partnership with SNCF Réseau has enabled us to pioneer a new generation of digital interlocking systems,” he stated on April 24.

This milestone signals the beginning of a transformative era in railway technology, promising enhanced safety, performance, and efficiency across the network.

Source: www.railwaygazette.com

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