The Digirail project will modernise the Finnish railway network’s train control and traffic control systems by replacing the current systems, which are nearing the end of their life cycle, with the European system, ERTMS. The goal is to ensure safe, reliable and cost-effective rail transport well into the future. Two new sections of the implementation plan have been completed, which support the controlled implementation of a comprehensive system overhaul across the entire Finnish rail network.
Digirail is a large-scale and essential modernisation project for the Finnish railways, in which the current train control and traffic management systems are being gradually replaced by the European ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System). The current systems are nearing the end of their life cycle, which is why their modernisation is essential.
The success of such a wide-ranging system overhaul does not depend solely on technology. It is also necessary to ensure that principles governing cooperation and activities among multiple stakeholders are established for the entire implementation phase, and that the operating models also take into account any potential changes that may arise. To this end, two key components have been developed as part of Digirail’s Implementation Phase Implementation Plan (ToTo) project: An overall system development model for the implementation phase and a work breakdown structure for the Digirail implementation phase as it pertains to the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency’s tasks.
The development model for the overall system establishes common rules
The overall system development model for the Digirail implementation phase brings together the common rules and principles governing system development during the implementation phase. Its role is to ensure that the various systems are developed in a compatible manner and in accordance with consistent guidelines. As a key principle, the development model reflects a commitment to the EN 50126 life cycle model and to continuous improvement during the implementation phase.
During the implementation phase, the systems must be examined at the level of the system entity for each track section, the systems shared by track sections, and the overall system for the implementation phase.
“It’s not just about the success of individual systems, but about ensuring that the entire solution being implemented in Digirail works together, both during the rollout phase and once the system is in operation,” says Saara Haapala, Project Manager for the Implementation Phase Implementation Plan project.
A work breakdown structure provides a framework for implementation
Alongside the development model, a work breakdown structure has been drawn up to serve as a practical tool for planning projects during the implementation phase. It describes the tasks and work phases that are repeated from one project to the next in the track-section-specific projects under the responsibility of the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency. The goal is to establish a consistent approach for the entire implementation phase.
“A common structure makes it easier to plan projects, and it reduces overlapping work and helps ensure that the new tasks introduced by Digirail are also taken into account,” says Haapala.
In addition to the Tampere–Pori/Rauma track section, Digirail will be rolled out across ten other track sections over the coming years. When the same structure is used across different projects and the tasks are named consistently, the lessons learnt from previous projects can be applied to future implementations. This ensures that best practices are carried over from one project to the next and that work practices can be refined throughout the implementation phase.
A unified work breakdown structure also supports the overall management of Digirail. When projects in different track sections proceed according to the same structure, their progress can be monitored and compared in a consistent manner. This is particularly evident when several track section projects are underway at the same time.
A shared goal: A controlled rollout
The development model and the work breakdown structure are key components of the Implementation Plan for the Implementation Phase. The development model brings together common principles for work and coordination during the implementation phase, while the work breakdown structure helps apply these principles to practical project work.
Together, they support Digirail’s goal of rolling out the ERTMS system in a controlled, safe and consistent manner across the entire Finnish rail network.
The Digirail project is making rail transport in Finland safer, smoother and more efficient. The project is reinventing the outdated train control system and introducing a shared European radio-based train control system across the entire rail network. Digirail will enable safe transport, an improved service level and growth of capacity, and it will create a long-term technical foundation for Finnish railway traffic. The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, Fintraffic and the Ministry of Transport and Communications are collaborating in the project with other actors.