Hitachi Rail to develop new STM for Portugal ETCS transition

ETCS transition in Portugal is moving ahead. Hitachi Rail has won an international public tender from Infraestruturas de Portugal. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Infraestruturas de Portugal is the country’s rail infrastructure manager. Hitachi Rail will develop and certify a new STM for the Portuguese market. The STM is an ETCS-specific transmission module.

A second STM for the Portuguese railway system

The project was awarded through an international public tender. It is intended to support the gradual move from CONVEL to the European ETCS Level 2 system. CONVEL is the national automatic train protection system. It follows the national roadmap for ERTMS implementation.

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As Railway Pro reports, Hitachi Rail said the Specific Transmission Module will become the second solution of this kind for the Portuguese railway system. At the same time, it is intended to strengthen railway interoperability. Portugal is moving toward European signaling and train control standards. During that period, services still need to continue on lines not yet fully interoperable.

How the ETCS transition in Portugal will work?

The new STM module is intended to support the shift from CONVEL to ETCS. It is meant for the transition period. ETCS Level 2 is being rolled out across the national network. During that process, trains are expected to operate with both ETCS and STM on board. This will allow services to continue on lines that are not yet fully interoperable. The module is designed to connect ETCS with CONVEL, Portugal’s Class B system.

Meanwhile, Hitachi Rail said the solution will be developed as an external module. As Railway International notes, it will be made available on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms. This is in line with the relevant European framework.

Another stated aim of the project is to diversify the supply chain. According to the company, the project should reduce dependence on a single technology provider. It should also support a more competitive and resilient market. That applies to railway operators, maintenance companies, and future rolling stock programmes. In other words, Portugal is seeking to avoid reliance on one technological solution. This comes at a critical stage in the modernization of its rail system.

Development teams in Portugal, Sweden, and Italy

Hitachi Rail said teams in Portugal, Sweden, and Italy will work together on the module. They will combine local knowledge of the Portuguese network with the company’s broader European experience. That experience covers digital signaling and onboard train control systems. In addition, the company said it is involved in large ERTMS programmes across Europe, including in Italy. It also cited ETCS- and STM-related projects in Sweden.

“This contract represents an important step for the modernization of the Portuguese railway.

By developing a second STM for the national network, we are helping to create a more resilient and competitive technological foundation for the sector, while supporting Infraestruturas de Portugal in achieving an efficient and future-ready transition to ERTMS,” said Joaquim Santos, director of Hitachi Rail Portugal.

He added that, for passengers, operators, and the general public, the benefit should be “a stronger rail system with greater interoperability, improved long-term sustainability, and one that is ready for the next generation of rail services.”

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