FINTRAFFIC Railway has selected Siemens Mobility to install ETCS Level 2 and the new Hybrid Train Detection (HTD) system which obviates the need for track circuits on the 191km Lielahti - Rauma/Pori line.
This is first section of Finland's rail network to be equipped under the Finnish government's Digirail project, which involves renewing the national train control system.
The first phase of Finland's Digirail project, set to be implemented on the Lielahti-Rauma/Pori line, will cover 191km of track and introduce a modern radio-based ETCS, solely using virtual signals and including Hybrid Train Detection (HTD), which is based on virtual track sections to enable a higher train density.
Siemens will use its latest interlocking and radio block centre technology based on its new DS3 platform, which only uses commercial-off-the-shelf (Cots) hardware. The new train control system should increase capacity, improve punctuality, reduce disruptions, and improve safety of operation.
Construction will start this year, with testing and commissioning expected to be completed by 2027.
Finland's Digirail project will implement radio-based ETCS without lineside signals across the national network. It is closely integrated with the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS). Digirail is led by the Ministry of Transport and Communication and brings together government agencies and stakeholders to implement ETCS nationally.
Siemens Mobility partnered with Finnish rolling stock company Pääkaupunkiseudun Junakalusto to conduct initial testing of ETCS in Finland as part of Digirail. Two multiple-unit trains were equipped with a Trainguard OBU and Automatic Train Operation (ATO) over ETCS. This was the first test of ETCS in Finland according to the latest European Technical Specification for Interoperability (CCS TSI 2023).
