Siemens Mobility and operator Sporveien have put the new CBTC signaling system into operation on an initial three-kilometer section of the Oslo Metro.
The EUR 270 million project, awarded in 2021, involves the complete replacement of the old signaling system across the entire 86-kilometer network, as well as the integration of the future Fornebubanen line.
The Siemens Trainguard MT solution, operated at GoA2 automation level, enables a significant increase in capacity: the Oslo metro can now run 36 trains per hour, up from 28 previously, representing an increase of around 30%.
The modernization is complemented by 25 years of digital maintenance and intelligent asset management services through the Railigent X platform, contributing to the municipality’s goal of making Oslo the world’s first zero-emission city.
A new era for the Oslo Metro
“Our partnership with Sporveien dates back almost 130 years, to the Holmenkollen line. Today, we are proud to introduce Norway’s first CBTC system, bringing the Oslo Metro into a new era. This milestone will increase capacity by approximately 30%, enable more frequent departures, and promote sustainable mobility,” said Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility. “The new system supports Oslo‘s ambition to become the world’s first zero-emission city.”
In parallel with the implementation of the new signaling, the project also includes the integration of the Fornebubanen line, an eight-kilometer extension with six stations, currently under construction. One of the major innovations is the safe use of public LTE networks for critical train control communications – a first in Europe for a metro system and a solution that promises economic efficiency and technological flexibility.
Capacity increase of over 40% in the maximum scenario
The Trainguard MT system installed in Oslo has the technical capacity to operate up to 40 trains per hour, which, once achieved, would allow for a capacity increase of over 40% compared to the pre-modernization period.
This performance is essential for managing additional volumes with the opening of the Fornebubanen line and for ensuring reliable operation across the entire network.
Norway, a pioneer in the digitization of rail transport
The modernization of the Oslo metro is part of Norway’s broader strategy to digitize its rail infrastructure.
Bane NOR, the national company responsible for managing the railways, is implementing a program estimated at EUR 2 billion for the centralized control of 4,200 kilometers of main lines and more than 350 stations.
The program includes the modernization of signaling systems and the extension of ETCS Level 2 throughout the country.
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