Prorail chose this line as it is already equipped with ERTMS and does not have any level crossings. Alstom will work with Prorail on the project which will involve trials with freight trains and shunting in the port of Rotterdam.

 

Prorail also plans trials with the driverless operation of passenger trains in the north of the Netherlands on non-electrified regional lines operated by Arriva Nederland, and negotiations are already underway between Prorail, the Province of Groningen, which is the public transport authority, and Arriva. This will be the first test of ATO in passenger traffic on conventional lines which include level crossings.

Prorail hopes that the introduction of ATO will help to increase capacity on regional lines by cutting headways as well as reduce energy consumption through the more consistent operation of trains.

Prorail has invited other organisations and rail infrastructure managers from outside the Netherlands to become involved in the project in order for them to gain more experience with ATO. Through the ATO trial programme, Prorail is keen to become a leader in this technology and for the Netherlands to become a test centre for rail innovation.