The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency and Fintraffic Railway Ltd have signed an alliance agreement for the implementation phase of the Digirail project. The agreement will run until the end of 2030 and is worth EUR 19.3 million. It will enable Digirail’s implementation phase to proceed systematically alongside the project’s development and verification phase.
The Digirail project involves the gradual renewal of the train control system for Finland’s entire rail network. The current system is reaching the end of its lifecycle, and the upgrade will ensure the safety, reliability and competitiveness of rail transport far into the future. The project is proceeding in line with a four-stage model: a feasibility phase, preparatory phase, development and verification phase, and implementation phase. An agreement for the implementation phase has just been signed.
“The alliance model has worked well in the earlier phases, and will also provide a strong foundation for the implementation phase. When both parties are working towards common goals in the best interests of the project, they will produce sustainable solutions for the entire Finnish railway sector. Digirail is a very important project for us both, which is why working on it together is invaluable. I’m really pleased that the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency trusts Fintraffic’s expertise,” says Sanna Järvenpää, CEO of Fintraffic Railway.
“During the implementation phase, we will continue the Finnish rail network’s transition to a modern, radio network-based European train control system in a concrete manner, according to plan. We are making good progress with Digirail, and this agreement will create a firm foundation for long-term innovation. Improving both the accessibility and service level of rail transport can only be achieved through close cooperation with the entire sector,” says Esa Sirkiä, Director, Digirail and Traffic Management Procurement at the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency.
Three key service packages
Fintraffic Railway Ltd will provide three service packages to the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency during the implementation phase:
The digitalisation, automation and information development service will support Digirail’s digital transformation by developing information management, automation and new operating models. It aims to ensure a safe, efficient and controlled transition to the new system.
The safety equipment and ERTMS service will be responsible for expert work, development and coordination related to the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) and safety solutions. It also covers the monitoring of developments in Europe and assessing the impact of these changes on the Finnish rail network.
The project management and support functions for the implementation phase willhandle the overall management, scheduling and coordination of the implementation phase, which will aid the management of Digirail’s large-scale developments and prepare the project for nationwide implementation.
Towards implementation
Although the development and verification phase will continue until 2029, the implementation phase will proceed in parallel. During the implementation phase, the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency and Fintraffic Railway will jointly renew the safety equipment, train control systems and traffic-control and management systems covering the entire Finnish railway network.
In the development and verification phase, the first commercial track section (EKA) to be built on the Tampere-Pori/Rauma line will serve as an important test platform and source of information for the implementation phase. It will provide practical experience and knowledge to support the planning and cost-effectiveness of a nationwide implementation.
The lessons learnt from the EKA phase are a key prerequisite for successful procurement and smooth work.
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.