From being mechanical and manual, it is becoming high-tech and digital. Bane NOR, the Norwegian Rail Infrastructure Manager, is at the forefront of this development. In 2022 Bane NOR will open the first lines with the new digital signalling system in operation.

The railway is a faithful hustler

Many years of downgraded maintenance have made the Norwegian railway vulnerable and expensive. Today, there are many different types of signalling systems in use along the railway, and several of them are old and worn. Some of them are so old that it makes it difficult to obtain both spare parts and professionals who can maintain them.

Outdated signalling technology across the entire Norwegian rail network will now be replaced by a new common European digital signalling system – European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS).

The Norwegian government decided in 2012 to implement ERTMS on the entire Norwegian rail network. Already in 2022 Bane NOR are opening the first lines with the new digital signalling system in use, on the Nordland line from Grong to Bodø, and the Gjøvik line from Roa to Gjøvik.

By 2034, over 4200 kilometres of railway tracks will be digitised. Around 400 vehicles, of approximately 40 different train models will be equipped with ERTMS. The traffic control centres will be modernised and standardised, with a new traffic management system (TMS).

Bane NOR have three partners on the project. In the spring of 2018, Bane NOR signed contracts with Alstom for the ERTMS onboard equipment, Siemens for the ERTMS signalling system and Thales for the TMS.

One of Norway’s largest digitalisation projects

With a budget of 25 billion Norwegian kroner, ERTMS is one of Norway’s largest digitalisation projects, and an important step in the modernisation of the railway. The new digital signalling system provides increased security through technical barriers and continuous monitoring of all trains. Standardised solutions and systems will help our organisation to become more efficient, and with smart solutions we get a modern and more environmentally friendly railway.

Experience with ERTMS in Norway, with our pilot line in eastern Norway that has been operating with ERTMS since 2015, and in other countries shows that the new digital signalling system offers more punctual trains. For travellers, ERTMS means a more stable railway with higher punctuality, increased safety and in the future increased capacity.

Test and competence centre

The transition from today’s signalling technology to ERTMS will over a 10-year period change the daily lives of around 5000 people in the Norwegian rail industry. It is not only the way the trains are driven and the traffic is controlled that will change. This also means new routines and skills for those who work with construction and maintenance.

On 31^st of October 2019, Bane NOR’s brand new competence centre for the digital railway, Campus Nyland, opened. At the campus existing occupational groups develop new skills needed when ERTMS is operational. Bane NOR will facilitate simulator training, but also physical training facilities.

Testing and development of ERTMS also takes place at Campus Nyland. Here Alstom, Siemens and Thales, together with Bane NOR, collaborate on testing. In October 2020 we opened the test line between Roa and Hønefoss. Both simulated tests and tests with the test trains are carried out both from our employees’ home offices and at the test lab at Campus Nyland.

Early in November 2020, Bane NOR became the first infrastructure manager in Europe to implement the new European standard for interfaces between the traffic management system and signalling system. Our technical experts have been working with this, through EULYNX, since 2014 and have been emphasising the idea that the interfaces must be standardised. This is helping the railway industry on the right track towards a modern market with future-oriented solutions.

With about one and a half year to go before the grand opening of ERTMS in operation on the Nordland line from Grong to Bodø, we are now accelerating together with our partners. 2021 will be a tough but very exciting year for us.

For more information about the Norwegian ERTMS Programme, visit our website and see this video.