Kapsch to install GSM-R in trans-European train route in Slovakia

Kapsch CarrierCom, together with AŽD, the main supplier of the railway signaling system, will be installing GSM-R technology on an approximately 250 km route running from Bratislava to the Czech border via Žilina and Čadca in the northwestern region of the country. ŽSR (Železnice Slovenskej Republiky), the Slovakian state railway operator, is the customer for the project, which has a volume of around EUR 20 million for the GSM-R system. The winner of this public government contract is AŽD Praha s.r.o .

Both companies, Kapsch and the Czech company AŽD Praha s.r.o., will implement the ERTMS (European Railway Traffic Management System) on the Slovakian rail network by the end of 2015. The project will consist of two parts: Kapsch CarrierCom is responsible for the implementation of the radio network based on GSM-R technology along the entire route from Bratislava to the Czech border. General Contractor AŽD Praha will assume responsibility for setting up the ETCS (European Train Control System) Level L2 signaling system on the section of the route from Žilina via Čadca to the Czech-Slovakian border.

Kapsch is building a high-performance GSM-R network on the basis of 3GPP Release 4 core technology. The end-to-end solution is founded on scalable, high-capacity architecture with particular high-density functionality and availability. The project is aimed at upgrading the technical infrastructure of the railway network to enable interoperability in trans-European rail traffic. “This project is of particular importance due to the transit corridor running through Slovakia, the implementation of ERTMS in that country is an important element in achieving a modern rail network across Europe,” stated Kari Kapsch, CEO of Kapsch CarrierCom.

Trans-European connections

Three rail corridors (west-east, north-south and south) that are of great significance for continental European transit run through Slovakia. It is therefore vital that safety systems are able to interact seamlessly. Cross-border interoperability and a smoothly functioning international railway network are ensured by the implementation of ERTMS, which the European Union has defined as a standard. The system consists of two key components – ETCS, a uniform signaling system, and
GSM-R, the railway communications system. Since 2005, ERTMS is gradually being introduced to the rail networks of EU member states. Implementation is expected to be completed in large parts of the trans-European rail network by 2017.