Signalling upgrade complete for Poland high-speed rail line project

Credit: alstom.com

The consortium has completed the delivery of the ERTMS/ETCS Level 2 signalling system for the E65 railway line which is under modernisation and links Warsaw in central Poland with Gdynia, in the north of the country. This project was based on a contract previously signed with PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A.

The delivery of the state-of-the-art technology on 350km of line that covers 35 railway stations enables trains to travel at speeds of 200km/h. The project was one of the largest and most complex projects in the history of Poland’s railways. The joint effort of the parties involved has resulted in a significant improvement of safety and passenger comfort, as well as line capacity that will contribute to shorter train travel duration.

Alstom and Thales Polska were responsible for the design and implementation of ERTMS/ETCS Level 2 signalling solution, and Nokia for providing the GSM-R system. Within the scope of the project, the consortium upgraded eight integrated control rooms, delivered remote traffic control and management systems, turn-key solutions for dispatcher centres, an integrated passenger information system and CCTV solutions.

Sławomir Nalewajka, Managing Director of Alstom in Poland, Ukraine and Baltics, said: “This jointly-delivered project is a game-changing achievement in the history of high-speed railway implementation in Poland. Moreover, the decision of the Head of National Safety Authority in Poland to approve train traffic at the speed of up to 200km/h under the control of ERTMS Level 2 is the first ever decision of this kind in the history of Polish railways. We are proud that once again we had the opportunity to deliver a project that sets the new standards on the national railway network.”

Paweł Przyżycki, Managing Director of Thales Polska, said: “I am happy that the upgrade of such a crucial project is completed. Thanks to our joint solutions we have become a part of the European railway system. Poland has entered the high-speed rail era.”

Piotr Kaczmarek, a Head of Nokia Poland, said: “State-of-the-art communications technologies and rail traffic control systems have been implemented in this landmark project. Both the E65 Warsaw–Gdynia corridor, as well as the entire Trans-European Transport Network will derive economic and social benefits from the completion of this project.”