Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) has chosen a consortium led by Hitachi Rail to design and deliver ERTMS digital signalling on 1,885 kilometres of rail network across central and northern Italy.
The project will cover the lines for the regions of Emilia Romagna, Tuscany, Piedmont, Lombardy, Liguria, Veneto and Friuli-Venezia-Giulia.
The technology includes a radio system enabling communication between the train and the track, as well as automatic activation of emergency brakes in the case of danger.
By regulating speed, acceleration and braking, the technology also improves train efficiency, which in turn reduces energy consumption.
Valued at 867 million EUR (895.17m USD), this new framework agreement follows that of an earlier 500m EUR (516.29m USD) contract for the design and implementation of ERTMS digital signalling on 700 km of rail lines across Italy.
ERTMS is already in use on Italy’s high-speed rail lines, but extending the technology to its regional lines will better enable trains from neighbouring European countries to operate in Italy without interruption.
“We're delighted with this contract, which will allow us to implement digital signalling technology on an additional 1,885 km of the Italian railway network.
“ERTMS technology will bring huge benefits to passengers by enhancing train reliability, punctuality and frequency, with the aim of creating an integrated European rail network.”
