The first commercial section (EKA) of Digirail will be located on the Tampere-Pori/Rauma line. The 190-kilometre-long track will serve as a pilot for the new train control system.
Finland is taking a significant step towards the digitalisation of railways by building a radio-based ETCS (European Train Control System) for commercial use for the first time on the Tampere-Pori/Rauma track section as part of the Digirail project. This is a necessary renovation and replacement investment, which Finland is also required to make at EU level. The ETCS has so far been tested on a test track outside of operative traffic and will now be deployed for commercial passenger and freight rail services.
Finland is introducing a modern, radio network-based train control system. The radio network to be used will be based on the joint European FRMCS (Future Railway Mobile Communication System) and commercial radio networks. Finland’s excellent commercial radio networks will enable the creation of a reliable radio network solution with the support of commercial networks to build a cost-effective solution for the Tampere-Pori/Rauma line. By making use of existing network connections, Finland does not need to build a separate radio network costing millions.
A radio network-based train control system will allow a reduction in physical trackside equipment along the track. The reduction in physical track infrastructure will also reduce disruption to train services and speed up the recovery from disruption, thus improving traffic flow. The solution will also bring significant advantages, such as reduced maintenance needs and real-time traffic optimisation.
The renewal of the train control system is vital for the continuation of safe and smooth train transport in Finland. The Tampere-Pori/Rauma track section will be ready for operation in September 2029, and will provide valuable information for planning the long-term cost-effectiveness and rational implementation of Digirail throughout Finland. This project is a major milestone in the digitalisation of the Finnish railway system.
Schedule and costs
- For traffic in September 2029 for the first phase;
- EUR 130 million has been allocated as part of the Development and Verification phase funding.
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