Alcatel-Lucent and Adif jointly research communications technologies for improving high-speed rail transportation

Alcatel-Lucent and Adif, the Spanish state-owned company responsible for the management of Spain’s railway infrastructures, have signed a collaboration agreement for the testing of communications technologies for use on railway transportation systems.

Teams will test how a single IP-MPLS multi-service and mission critical network can support GSM-R systems, fulfilling the highly demanding railway quality and security specifications, optimizing network build and operation, and improving network service capabilities. Additionally, the teams will investigate how a LTE mobile broadband system for railways in conjunction with IP convergence can handle different types of traffic such as voice, data and video, to standardize communications across railway networks. The companies will also develop integrated multimedia solutions for improving passenger information systems.

Alcatel-Lucent and Adif will test these technologies in Adif’s new Railways Technology Centre in Malaga, which has been created to foster innovation and enterprise collaboration around railways technology. The centre is intended to be a base for global research and development of communications for high-speed train transportation. This collaboration project will help strengthen Spain’s position at the head of global and European railway system technology.

The framework agreement also covers related activities such as:

• The collaboration and submission of joint R&D proposals for European and domestic grant opportunities
• The development of innovative scientific projects of interest to both companies
• The creation of working groups and reports for the development and follow-up of scientific findings
• Joint co-operation in training programs if required by the projects

Alcatel-Lucent helps urban and main line rail operators make every journey on-time, safe and connected. Whether the need is to enhance, renew or build a communication network, Alcatel-Lucent is the trusted partner for railway communications solutions. With a comprehensive product and service portfolio and more than 30 years of experience in transportation systems integration, Alcatel-Lucent has proven expertise in designing, deploying, maintaining and operating mission-critical networks. These networks support operational systems such as train control and signaling, ground-to-train communications, and video protection, to name just a few. Learn more about Alcatel-Lucent’s Dynamic Communication Solutions for Railways.

Federico Guillén, Alcatel-Lucent’s President Iberia “Rail transportation is vital in the growth of many economies and as such the global rail market is predicted to grow steadily through to 2020 . Companies are looking at communications technologies such as LTE to create efficiencies that will sustain this growth, improving freight and passenger services and enhancing safety. This partnership allows both Adif and Alcatel-Lucent to accelerate the design, testing and deployment of these new technologies and benefit the global rail community.”

Reference

1. Source: World Rail Market Study published by UNIFE, the European rail industry, in collaboration with The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), September 2010.