Hitachi Rail: Digital Interlocking (DSTW) technology

Hitachi Rail has completed the installation of advanced Digital Interlocking (DSTW) technology on the 25-kilometer section of the Maytingen-Mertingen railway, a crucial link in the Scandinavian-Mediterranean corridor, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

This project, involving the replacement of outdated signaling systems and signal posts, aims to enhance the safety, reliability, and comfort of both passenger and freight transport.

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Thanks to this new technology, trains can operate at speeds of up to 200 km/h, significantly improving the capacity of this important transportation corridor connecting northern Europe with the south, from Finland and Sweden to Malta.

The project is part of Germany’s broader national initiative “Digital Railways Germany” (DSD), aimed at digitalizing the railway network to create a more sustainable and reliable transportation system.

Hitachi Rail’s DSTW technology reduces the need for trackside equipment and enables remote management over long distances.

It is also compatible with future technological developments and requires less maintenance, thereby reducing operational costs.

The system uses encrypted data connections to communicate with sensors and switches, ensuring a high level of security and preventing trains from entering occupied track sections.

According to Markus Fritz, Chief Operating Officer of Hitachi Rail Germany, the successful implementation of this project marks a significant milestone in preparing for the “Digital Railways Germany” initiative.

Many processes, responsibilities, and technologies had to be adapted for the first DSTW system to operate on the Trans-European corridor in Germany.

For the first time in Germany, the digital interlocking field was connected via railway IP network to the data processing center for management and security technologies, including cyber security measures.

This pioneering project is a source of pride for the company.

It’s worth noting that this project was executed by the Ground Transportation Systems (GTS) division of Thales, now part of Hitachi Rail.

The new technology not only increases the speed and efficiency of rail transport but also contributes to improving the environmental sustainability of the transportation system, representing a significant step forward in the development of modern European infrastructure.

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