The focus in planning the progress of the Digirail project has been on the collaboration between the different actors and the customers’ transport flows and rolling stock. The updated progress map shows how Digirail is rolling out by track section area (‘ROA’ in short, based on the Finnish term ‘rataosa-alue’) across the entire Finnish rail network by 2040.
The Digirail project is divided into two phases. The current Development and Verification phase (2021–2027) includes the construction of the first commercial ERTMS line on the Tampere–Pori/Rauma track section. During the implementation phase of the project (2025–2040), Digirail will progress in phases across the entire railway network.
The progress map visualises the phased implementation
The first progress map was published in 2021, but the plan has been refined as new needs for updates have surfaced. The progress map takes into account a wide range of perspectives and needs addressed by the different actors.
The planning of the progress is guided by clear design criteria which have been used to define the project’s geographical phasing and top-level schedule.
Regional specifics have been provisionally taken into consideration in the top-level schedule. For example, the construction and testing phase in the Helsinki metropolitan area will be very different from the phases on the less busier track sections.
“The progress map ensures that Digirail will progress in a controlled and efficient manner throughout the country. The design bases support the smooth coordination of both equipment and infrastructure, and the collaboration between different actors has been crucial,” says Saara Haapala, Project Manager for the Implementation Phase Implementation Plan project.
“The progress map is the result of close cooperation between the different actors. When planning is based on circular practices for equipment and on actual transport flows, we can implement the modernisation and renovation of the train control system efficiently and reduce the impact of the changes on traffic,” says Juha Lehtola, Project Manager for Digirail at the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency.
Key updates to the progress map
Several changes have been made to the progress map in cooperation with the actors involved:
- The Karjaa–Hanko track section was transferred from ROA2 to ROA4. The change is in response to the changing circularity of passenger transport as a result of electrification.
- Imatra–Parikkala was transferred from ROA7 to ROA5 in order to better reflect the maintenance area division of the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency.
- ROA2 will be deployed in two phases, with Karjaa–Hyvinkää being implemented only in the phase for ROA3. This will prevent additional equipment changes during the transition period.
- ROA1–ROA4 schedules were reviewed against the EKA track schedule.
The scheduling of the progress has also been refined to allow sufficient time for testing and training between deployments.
The aim is that by 2040, the entire Finnish rail network will be equipped with a new, uniform train control system that will improve the safety, efficiency and smoothness of railway traffic.
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.