About 3000 route-km of the SBB network will be fitted with ETCS. This will involve adapting about 430 mechanical, electro-mechanical and electronic interlockings. At the core of the system will be 5300 solar-powered MiniLEU S11 lineside electronic units (LEUs) which will intermittently transmit data from lineside signals to the trains. In addition, 1200 LEU S21 MS units will be installed where continuous data transmission is needed.

Other equipment comprises 1400 MSTT signal operating modules to connect lineside signals to the interlockings, 20,000 Eurobalises to transmit data between track and train, and about 80km of Euroloops. These are coaxial radiating cables which extend the range of the Eurobalises by up to 800m to ensure the effectiveness of a signal aspect before a train passes it. The Euroloops will increase capacity and improve safety by bringing continuous functionality to the intermittent transmission of the Eurobalises.

Siemens and SBB have already tested and optimised the systems that are going to be used at two stations.

"In upgrading the existing train protection system to ETCS Level 1 Limited Supervision, we are taking the first major step in the Swiss ETCS strategy which is aimed at the sustainable optimisation of the network," says Mr Philippe Gauderon, head of SBB Infrastructure and member of the SBB board of management.