Siemens Mobility and ÖBB Digitize Austria’s Rail Network
Siemens Mobility and ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) are digitizing the Austrian rail network to further enhance the attractiveness of public transport. ÖBB is aiming to double the capacity of Austria’s entire rail system by 2040 to cope with increasing passenger numbers. This goal is now a bit closer: The most modern technology for railway operations – the digital European Train Control System ETCS – has now been implemented and commissioned on the 57-kilometer route between Linz and Vöcklabruck. The system controls distances between trains, as well as their direction and speed in real time. This enables the route to carry more passengers and freight, and ensures that the trains run more reliably, punctually, and safely.
At a recent press conference held in Linz, Siemens Mobility and ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG presented a framework agreement for a long-term cooperation and announced the successful commissioning of a first route section. The agreement regulates the expansion of the ETCS Level 2 system throughout Austria’s high-level rail network, the establishment of so-called ETCS Radio Block Centers or RBCs, which will be redundant, and the maintenance and servicing of these facilities. During the project’s rollout, plans call for installing a total of 21 RBCs by 2038 to provide fail-safe coverage for Austria’s high-level rail network.
ETCS Level 2 operation began at the start of August on the Linz–Wels–Vöcklabruck and Wels–Haiding line sections, marking the first commissioning based on the new framework agreement. The ETCS Radio Block Center covering this section is located in Vienna, and trains operating on the route are digitally monitored and controlled in Linz.
“Efficient railway infrastructure is critically important for achieving Austria’s climate goals. To help us handle the expected increase in rail traffic and shift away from roads, we are relying extensively on digital initiatives, and ETCS Level 2 is an enormously important component for railways of the future. The framework agreement signed with Siemens Mobility is based on a Europe-wide tender and we’re looking forward now to working with the best bidder to equip further rail routes with Level 2,” said Johann Pluy, CEO of ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG.
“We are proud to be working with ÖBB to equip the Austrian rail network with ETCS Level 2, and the commissioning of this route marks an important milestone in ÖBB’s continuing expansion of ETCS coverage. The use of ETCS Radio Block Centers and our innovative software based DS3 safety platform will significantly increase route capacity and make the Austrian railway system one of the most modern in the world,” said Andre Rodenbeck, CEO Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility.
With ETCS Level 2, data is transmitted from the ETCS Radio Block Center to trains via GSM-R train radio. Data balises in the tracks are used to determine a train’s position and relay unalterable route data. The corresponding interlocking transmits track vacancy data and other information to the RBC. The RBC then generates the driving permit and sends it to the train. This continuous bidirectional flow of data considerably increases the line throughput. Driving trains with this “electronic vision” through several track blocks allows shorter headways at maximum speeds.
