Alstom to supply its Atlas ERTMS signalling solutions in Turkey
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TCDD (Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Devlet Demiryolları), the national Turkish railway operator, has selected Alstom to supply signalling and telecommunications systems on the line connecting Eskişehir, about 260 km East of Ankara, to Balıkesir near the Aegean coast. This 328-km long rail link also serves the city of Kutahya.
The contract is worth nearly €89 million and covers the design, manufacturing and supply of the complete trackside “Atlas” – Alstom’s signalling system based on level 1 & 2 of the proven ERTMS/ETCS -, “Smartlock” interlocking solution and Iconis, an integrated control centre. Alstom will also supply level crossing systems, technical equipment buildings as well as power distribution and uninterrupted power supply systems. ERTMS/ETCS on-board equipment, together with local on board Automatic Train Stop (ATS) device will be installed on 27 TCDD locomotives.
Modernization and equipment work is expected to last 36 months. Atlas equipment will be manufactured at Alstom’s Villeurbanne site (France). The newly equipped system will come into service in November 2014.
The new signalling system will enable TCDD to manage its rail services on the Eskişehir-Balıkesir corridor efficiently and seamlessly. It will make possible to increase TCDD trains’ average operational speed up to 160 km/hour and the line’s capacity by also improving its safety.
Alstom’s employees in Turkey, supported by Alstom signalling expertise centres will continue to contributing to the fulfilment of the TCDD investment programme for the modernization of its conventional railway lines. Alstom’s installation of its Atlas ERTMS solution on the Eskişehir – Balıkesir line represents a further step towards Eurasian rail market uniformity, which will facilitate border crossings, increase the lines’ operational capacity, maximize traffic safety and reduce travel time.
ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) is a system for the management and control of the rail traffic on the lines of the Trans-European Networks. The ETCS (European Train Control System) is one of the components of the ERTMS. It was designed to enable trains to quickly cross borders, ensuring the safety of rail traffic. There are several ETCS levels. With level 1, signal information is transmitted by “eurobalise” radio beacons (transponders which are placed on the tracks). With level 2, information is transmitted over the GSM-R network. Trains use the network to provide control centres with constantly updated information about their positions. The centres in turn send back information about actions to be taken (permissible speeds, stops, etc.).
About Atlas, Alstom Transport’s ERTMS solution
This new contract strengthens Alstom Transport’s position as the leader in the operational deployment of rail interoperability in Europe. Alstom holds a 63% market share in ERTMS Level 2-compatible onboard equipment contracts. Atlas has proven its worth on over 1,100 trains throughout more than 40 million km of commercial service. In Europe, over 8 out of 10 trains operating under ETCS Level 2 are using the Atlas solution. Alstom has carried out more than 30 ERTMS projects in nine European countries, including the Rome-Naples line in Italy, the first very high speed line equipped with an ERTMS Level 2 system; the Mattstetten-Rothrist line in Switzerland, used by the largest equipped fleet; and the Betuwe Route freight line in the Netherlands, which is part of Corridor C. Today, out of 1.200 trains delivered, over 900 trains furnished with Alstom ERTMS/ETCS on board solution are in service. Some 1,500 more will come into service in the next few years.
About Alstom Smartlock solution
Smartlock contributes to the safety of rail traffic. This solution enables infrastructure managers to oversee their operations effectively, in complete safety and with maximum return. Since 1997, 17 computerized interlocking control units have been supplied to France’s national rail network (RFF), including the largest such unit in Europe in the city of Strasbourg in 2006. In May 2009, one of Europe’s first “super-integrated” centres was delivered to Bologna, Italy. The centre manages infrastructure for eight lines, 29 train stations, over 600 signals, 300 point machines, 1,400 major routes and 1,700 shunting routes.
About Alstom in Turkey
Alstom started its activities in Turkey in the 1950s. The company is a significant contributor to Turkey’s economy with approximately 1,200 employees working in commercial, engineering, service and manufacturing activities.
Alstom is a key player in energy and rail transport infrastructure in Turkey.
It supplied 436 locomotives to TCDD, the Turkish State Railways. In Istanbul, where Alstom supports the development of the urban transport for over 10 years, the company has built the city’s first metro line (Taksim-4.Levent) and supplied the Metropolis carriages which are in commercial operation since 2000. Now, in addition to the Citadis tramways currently in operation, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), with the participation of Istanbul Ulasim A.S, has received in 2010 20 Metropolis metro trainsets ordered in 2007, for the new Bagcilar - (Kirazli) - Ikitelli - Olimpiyat Village line under construction.
Alstom has also the capacity to execute turnkey transmission projects in power generation and transmission. Alstom supplied key equipment for 55% of Turkey’s installed power generation capacity, including the Atatürk Dam which is the biggest hydro power plant in the country. Alstom also supplied around 50% of the installed transmission products of TEIAS. The Alstom Grid factory in Gebze exports 85% of its production and is always ranked in top 100 among the top 500 national companies in Turkey.
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Karen Brouiller - Tel. + 33 1 57 06 18 42 – karen.brouiller@transport.alstom.com
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