On 24 April, 400 lucky delegates had the chance to participate in a technical visit hosted by Trafikverket and its supplier Bombardier on the ERTMS Regional pilot line between Borlänge and Malung.
This was a unique occasion for many railway people to experience this concept, specified by UIC and Trafikverket and developed by Bombardier. ERTMS Regional is a level 3 system developed to meet the unique requirements on regional lines.
On this single, non-electrified line, Trafikverket and Bombardier were able to demonstrate how traffic can be operated using a radio-based signalling system.
During the trip the delegates could follow the train movements on-screen as the train moved on to the Västerdal line and switched from level STM-1 to L3 using onboard ATP.
Now several other railways are also convinced by this application and are currently investigating the possibility to use the specifications. Among them: RFF in France, ATOC in the UK, Deutsche Bahn AG in Germany.
Following this well prepared and well organised technical visit, which was one of the main highlights of the 2012 UIC ERTMS World Conference, it appears that even more railways including those outside Europe will join the ERTMS Regional club.
