Sweden: Bombardier Tests Its ERTMS Level 2 Interflo 450 Software

Bombardier Interflo 450 installed on RC6 test vehicle © Bombardier Transportation

Sweden: Bombardier Transportation has completed the first tests of the latest wayside software for the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) Level 2 – its Interflo 450 solution – on a test track in Sweden. The software is also known as Baseline 3 Release 2.

The tests were part of preparations for the national rail upgrade in Sweden, which is designed to increase speeds, reliability and capacity on the country’s rail network and improve integration with Europe.

The tests were conducted in close collaboration with Trafikverket (Swedish Transport Administration) on 20–23 August 2018 with an ERTMS Baseline 3-equipped Bombardier RC6 test vehicle. This significant milestone in the preparations for rail modernisation follows the official approval of the Interflo 450 rail solution by Trafikverket and Transportstyrelsen (Swedish Transport Agency) in 2017. The ERTMS test track, in southern Sweden, is being used to assess the system so that the preparation does not disrupt existing rail services.

Anders Åkeson, Project Director, Trafikverket, said:

“This is a major step towards ERTMS roll-out in Sweden. The results of these tests with Bombardier show we are getting ready to progress from testing to implementation. Our real-life test environment demonstrates the reliability of the standard as well as interoperability between sub-systems. The ERTMS installed base demonstrates four to six times higher reliability than the conventional systems operational today.”

Anna Hojer, Head of Nordic / Managing Director, Bombardier Transportation Sweden, said:

“For Bombardier, these successful tests mark another major milestone towards building an ERTMS-enabled rail network in Sweden. This reflects our technical capabilities and commitment towards Trafikverket in delivering future-proof, high-technology mainline rail control solutions.”

The digital ERTMS Level 2 software was initially created to enable European cross-border rail traffic and provide accurate and continuous radio-based train control. The first ERTMS Level 2 was introduced by Bombardier and the system is now used in 26 countries. The company is the only manufacturer with approval to supply ERTMS Level 2 software.

Bombardier’s facilities in Sweden include its regional business, project delivery and engineering hub for rail control, production centre for propulsion systems and a network of service centres.