Jul 12, 2022 08:55 BST

Hitachi Rail wins digital signalling

infrastructure contract to modernize the
French railway network

12 July, Hitachi Rail has been selected, by SNCF Réseau, as the sole supplier
within the framework agreement for the development and deployment of a
new generation of wayside ERTMS (**) Radio Block Centers (RBC (*)).

The deployment of the RBC Argos, part of the ERTMS (European Rail Traffic
Management System), will significantly increase the capacity of the rail
network and improve the regularity of trains while ensuring a maximum level
of safety. This equipment, which is a key element in the digitalization of the
national rail network, will be deployed over the next few years.

The new RBC, designed by Hitachi Rail, will link in to the Argos digital
platform being designed as part of SNCF Réseau’s new ERTMS Argos
Computer Based Interlocking project. It will be tested by mid-2025 on a pilot
line of about 16 km between Cannes and Grasse, in the south of France. It
will then be gradually deployed on the Marseille-Vintimille route, with the
first section coming into service at the end of 2027.

Hitachi Rail has been part of the Argos program since 2018, aiming at the
renewal and digitalization of the interlocking systems all over the French rail
network. Argos RBC marks a new step of this program.

Gilles Pascault, CEO of Hitachi Rail STS France said: “This new contract builds
on an historical partnership with SNCF, based on mutual trust and on the
innovation capability of the Hitachi Rail group to support SNCF’s ambitions
towards delivering a smarter and more sustainable mobility. With this contract
Hitachi Rail, supplier of wayside ERTMS for the High Speed Lines, becomes
supplier of wayside ERTMS for the overall national rail network, for the coming
years.”

SNCF Réseau is already implementing the various elements that will set up
the network of the future and improve its operability. Centralized command
system and ERTMS are two major components of this development. By
gradually migrating from lateral signalling to cab signalling associated with
continuous speed control, ERTMS meets the demand for interoperability in
Europe. It will also allow for the increased integration of new traffic
management tools.

"With this new contract, we are implementing an essential brick of the new
generation of ground-based ERTMS. It is therefore a fundamental step in our
roadmap towards a new digital signalling system, a major challenge for SNCF
Réseau with a view to developing a modern, reliable and robust service for the
benefit of our customers", said Olivier Bancel, Deputy Director General of
Projects, Maintenance and Operations at SNCF Réseau.

Within the framework of modernization and harmonization of the rail

infrastructures, the European Union’s mid-terms objectives are to deploy the
ERTMS technology over more than 6 000km of rail network in France,
including on its High Speed Lines (HSL). In this context, Hitachi Rail is
preparing, with its latest generation equipment, to accelerate the
digitalisation programme across the entire rail network.

Ends

For more information or press contact:

Hitachi Rail:

Nadia Alves Pires - Head of Marketing & Communication – Northern, Central

Europe & Africa

Tel +33 (6) 76 95 16 46 – nadia.alves-pires@hitachirail.com

SNCF Réseau:

Soune SERRE – Responsable relation médias

Tel +33 (6) 35 22 05 51 – soune.serre@reseau.sncf.fr

Note to the editors :

(*) About RBC: Radio Block Centre is one of the essential components of the
ERTMS system and its main function is to manage train’s movements in
security in a defined area. RBC liaises between train and track, generates and
sends the movement authorities to the train by radio. Within the frame of the
new contract, Hitachi Rail will provide the development of the ERTMS V.3.6.0
functionalities including digital canton (level 3 hybrid) and the operation and
maintenance of the extremely performing system.

(**) About ERTMS: The European Rail Traffic Management System aims at
replacing the different national rail control and command systems in Europe.
The deployment of ERTMS will enable the creation of a seamless European
railway system. Hitachi Rail’s ERTMS solutions operate on major railway
networks and on-board all types of train fleets around the world, from Europe
to Asia, Africa and Middle East, as well as from conventional lines to
commuters and high-speed networks.

About SNCF:

To cater to growing mobility requirements and develop the rail mode’s

contribution to ecological transition, SNCF Réseau offers rail services on the
28,000 km of line. It is responsible for maintaining and upgrading and for
ensuring operating safety. As Infrastructure Manager, SNCF Réseau markets
and provides fair and equal access to rail infrastructure. For the public
authorities, local organising authorities and train operators that are its
partners, its top priority is that of ensuring client satisfaction. SNCF Réseau
boasts a 53,000 strong workforce and, in 2021, had a turnover of nearly €6.6
billion.

www.sncf-reseau.com

About Hitachi Rail: Hitachi Rail is a fully integrated, global provider of rail
solutions across rolling stock, signalling, service & maintenance, digital
technology and turnkey solutions. With a presence in 38 countries across six
continents and over 12,000 employees, our mission is to contribute to society
through the continuous development of superior rail transport solutions. We
are proud of our global achievements, from our world famous ‘bullet trains’,
to our signalling solutions and turnkey projects, state-of-the-art traffic
management and digital solutions. Drawing on the wider Hitachi Group’s
market-leading technology and research-and-development capabilities, we
strive for industry leading innovations and solutions that can deliver value for
customers and sustainable railway systems that benefit wider society. For
information about Hitachi Rail, visit www.hitachirail.com.
Contacts

Nadia Alves-Pires
Media contact - Nordics & Northern Europe
nadia.alves-pires@hitachirail.com