THALES has been awarded a €13m contract to install an ERTMS Level 1 automatic train protection (ATP) system by ETS, infrastructure manager for the 1000mm-gauge network administered by the Basque regional government in northern Spain.
This is first phase of a project to replace Seltrac Euroloop on the 200km ETS network, of which 182km or 91% is equipped with ATP.
Thales says that its interoperable, European standard ATP system will enable the ETS network to achieve the safety and reliability levels of other European railways. It will also standardise interfaces and protocols between onboard equipment fitted to the Euskotren fleet and ETS lineside equipment.
The contract will be executed in three phases, beginning with a pilot between Araso and Hendaye in France, followed by the Usurbil - Araso section of the ETS network. At the same time, a central ERTMS control centre with two control desks will be set up to manage the new system.
Prior to installation, Thales will conduct a detailed engineering study to determine the precise requirements of the ETS network and then draft the construction project.
The installation and execution phase will run for five years, including maintenance of the new equipment over a term of 45 months.
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