Hitachi Rail Implements ETCS Level 2 on a Test Section in Finland

Hitachi Rail announced the successful completion of a project to implement the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 on the Kouvola – Kotka/Hamina test section located in southern Finland, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

This project is part of Finland’s extensive railway digitalization program known as Digirail.

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The contract for implementing ETCS Level 2 was signed in 2021 between the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency (Väylävirasto) and Thales.

In May 2024, the railway business unit of Thales was integrated into Hitachi Rail, allowing the project to proceed at a new level.

ETCS Level 2 is an advanced train control system that uses radio communication to transmit data between trains and the radio block center.

This project uses the next-generation railway radio communication system FRMCS, which complies with the 5G standard.

This innovation significantly improves the quality and speed of data transmission, ensuring higher reliability and safety of train operations.

Additionally, Hitachi Rail supplied a new microprocessor-based interlocking system, which became an important part of the infrastructure on the test section.

ETCS Level 2 testing began with the first trial runs of a Sr1 series locomotive, built in the 1970s and retrofitted with onboard ETCS equipment.

These runs took place in November 2023, with communication with the locomotive conducted via commercial cellular networks.

In April 2024, a contract was signed for the implementation of the first commercial ETCS Level 2 system on the Lielahti – Rauma/Pori pilot section with Siemens.

This step marks the beginning of a new phase in the development of Finland’s railway infrastructure, aimed at improving the efficiency and safety of rail transport.

Thus, the implementation of ETCS Level 2 on the Kouvola – Kotka/Hamina test section represents significant progress in the digitalization of Finland’s railway network.

The project demonstrates Finland’s readiness to use advanced technologies to improve transport infrastructure and ensure the country’s sustainable development.

Photo: Väylävirasto

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