At the TRAKO trade fair in Gdańsk, The Signalling Company (TSC), part of the Škoda Group, presented its European Train Control System (ETCS) solution.
Central to the system is the Universal Digital Rail Platform, iEVC-RailOS, which integrates compact, modular on-board hardware with software applications.
The ETCS application is TSC’s second certified protection system on this platform, following the Belgian TBL1+ system.
Alexandre Bétis, Managing Director of The Signalling Company said:ETCS Certification is the Everest of the safety world. I want to take this moment of great pride to thank our incredible team. Without their phenomenal dedication none of this would have been possible. When we set out on this journey we came to appreciate how much the industry was willing us to succeed. This is the moment we begin to repay the steadfast faith that Lineas, Škoda Group, and others have placed in us.
For Škoda Group, developing an in-house ETCS aligns with its strategy to offer a comprehensive range of solutions, including vehicle manufacturing, traction systems, and digital safety technologies.
Development of the ETCS solution began in 2019 with the aim of creating a fully software-defined signalling platform. The project involved collaboration with operators and industry partners, validation in real operating conditions, and a focus on compact, energy-efficient design suitable for both new and modernised rolling stock.
The ETCS certification stage involved extensive testing to meet European standards, confirming the platform’s readiness for deployment in operational environments.
Zdeněk Sváta, Member of the Board of Directors of Škoda Group said:Developing our own ETCS is a key milestone for Škoda Group. It enables us to offer customers a complete solution – from vehicle manufacturing and traction drives to cutting-edge digital safety systems. We will start using our own TSC supplied ETCS in the new generation of single-deck electric trains. This will help us significantly simplify integration, due to low weight and small size, and reduce operational costs. What makes our signalling solution exceptional is its highly modular architecture which allows us to easily support future upgrade and add new functions and evolving requirements. This level of flexibility not only ensures full compliance with national regulations but also brings clear benefits for operators and passengers by making international rail transport faster, smoother and more efficient.
The iEVC-RailOS platform is designed to host a variety of safety applications, including the European ETCS standard and national signalling systems. Its compact design allows for installation without major modifications to vehicle interiors, facilitating cost-effective retrofits and reducing vehicle downtime.
Škoda Group plans to deploy its ETCS solution across new rolling stock and modernised vehicles throughout European networks. The platform represents an extension of Škoda Group’s value chain, combining vehicle development, traction and control systems, and on-board train protection technology within a single architecture.
At TRAKO, Škoda also launched its new Škoda ForCity Plus 52T tram.
