photo: Thales/The ERTMS corrective counter contract got signed by PRORAIL AND THALES
Following successful development, Thales may supply counting systems for the new ERTMS lines. The delivery will last for eight years.
ProRail will swap the present ATB system with the digital signaling system ERTMS, the European norm in signaling. Several new axle counters get demanded the roll-out of ERTMS.
An axle counting system is a contemporary form of train detection. The system counts the number of wheel axles of trains entering and leaving a section, thus determining if tracks are free or occupied.
More than 600 kilometers of tracks are expected to get equipped with ERTMS and the GAST-ERTMS axle counting system. Completion of the deliveries gets scheduled for 2032, followed by 25 years of maintenance services. The contract's worth is a maximum of 100 million euros.
"Until recently, ERTMS was a dot on the horizon. I'm glad we're moving forward now. Preparations for the introduction are now in full swing. At ProRail, we are happy to work for this together with and for the rail sector. With the contract for the axle counting system, we are taking another great step on the path to tomorrow."
John Voppen, CEO ProRail
"Safety is the common thread in all our solutions. We are proud that with our axle counters we contribute to the safety of the Dutch railways. With the digitization of the railways and the increasing congestion on the tracks, ERTMS is indispensable."
John Alfrink, General Manager Thales Huizen
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