Arcadis, an engineering and consulting company specializing in infrastructure, has been selected by ProRail to implement the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) in the Netherlands. The project aims to modernize the train protection system on a pilot line of the national network, with the goal of increasing traffic safety and efficiency.
The contract, worth approximately 12 million EUR, covers the modernization of the train protection system on the Roosendaal–Vlissingen route and includes design, supervision of works, testing, and commissioning.
Zeeland, pilot route for ERTMS
The Zeeland line has been chosen as a pilot project for the ERTMS implementation in the Netherlands. Design solutions, construction processes and operational procedures will be tested and validated on this section before the model is replicated on a large scale across the Dutch rail network.
Work will start immediately, with the first phase focusing on the Lewedorp–Vlissingen section, followed by the Roosendaal–Lewedorp section.
The implementation of ERTMS aims to increase the safety and efficiency of rail traffic by standardizing signaling systems and facilitating interoperability between European networks.
Digitization and automation
Arcadis will use its own internally developed Dyndash design platform, which allows for a high degree of digitization, automation, and integration of certification processes. According to the company, this approach contributes to the creation of an integrated database for railway infrastructure and faster and more controlled project delivery.
Heather Polinsky, global president of Arcadis’ Resilience and Mobility division, emphasized that the project goes beyond the strictly technological dimension: “This project is more than just technology. It’s about creating a safe, sustainable, and reliable railway that is ready for the future. We are proud to contribute to this ambition alongside ProRail and our other partners.”
European context
The implementation of ERTMS in the Netherlands is part of a broader European context. In November 2025, the European Commission launched a comprehensive plan to accelerate the development of high-speed networks in the European Union, which includes an updated plan for the implementation of ERTMS, with the aim of ensuring interoperability and harmonized implementation of the system in member states.
For the Netherlands, the Zeeland line project is a concrete step towards aligning with these European objectives, with a direct impact on the capacity and reliability of the national network.
Share on:
