Siemens Mobility has conducted the first demonstration of automated train operation (ATO) on a main line equipped with the European Train Control System (ETCS) in Finland, marking an important milestone for the digitalization of rail transport in the Nordic region.
The tests were carried out on a 19-kilometer section between Juurikorpi and Hamina, where Automatic Train Operation (ATO) technology was integrated with ETCS Level 2.
The demonstration was carried out with a modernized train belonging to JKOY, the company that owns the rolling stock for suburban trains in the Helsinki region, and operated by VR, Finland’s national railway company.
GoA2 level automatic operation
The tests used a GoA2 (Grade of Automation 2) automation system, in which the train is automatically controlled for functions such as acceleration, braking, and stopping, but the driver remains present in the driver’s cab.
According to Siemens Mobility, the train achieved an automatic stop from 100 km/h with an accuracy of between 30 and 80 centimeters, demonstrating the stability of the system under real operating conditions.
Increased capacity and reduced energy consumption
The ATO over ETCS system optimizes train operation by automating acceleration, coasting, and braking, which can improve punctuality and traffic flow.
“The introduction of ATO over ETCS in Finland – and for the first time in the Nordic countries – is an important milestone in the modernization of the railway system,” said Marc Ludwig, CEO Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility.
According to the company, the use of this technology can increase network capacity by up to 30%, improve punctuality, and reduce energy consumption by more than 30%.
Part of the Digirail program
The demonstration is part of the Digirail program, an initiative launched by the Finnish government to modernize the railway system and introduce ETCS nationwide.
As part of this program, Siemens Mobility is participating in the modernization of the signaling infrastructure and equipping trains with control systems compatible with the new European standard.
A first commercial segment of the new digital infrastructure is planned to be operational by 2029 on the Tampere – Pori/Rauma line.
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