Alstom's ERTMS/ETCS technology for the new AVE Madrid - Burgos line

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With more than 650 engineers in Spain for the development of signalling solutions, Alstom footprint in the country for signalling includes two centres of excellence and test laboratories in Madrid, as well as project centres in Leon, Sitges and Malaga. From its facilities in Spain, Alstom develops and supplies signalling and digital mobility solutions for more than 20 countries.

The Madrid - Burgos high-speed line was officially inaugurated on 21 July. This section extends the Spanish high-speed network by 87.25 km and represents the extension of the high-speed North line (LAV), contributing to the social and economic structuring of the territories it crosses. The inaugural journey was presided over by His Majesty King Felipe VI.

Thanks to the ERTMS/ETCS[1] Level 2 technology supplied by Alstom, the Madrid-Burgos line will increase its safety and train’s speed, with the consequent reduction of travel times and an increase in the network capacity and regularity.

This signalling project is part of the contract awarded in 2015 to a consortium led by Alstom[2] to build and maintain, over a 20-year period, the latest-generation signalling and telecommunications systems () on the Valladolid-León and Venta de Baños-Burgos high-speed line. 

The contract includes the project design, procurement, installation, commissioning and 20-years-maintenance of the signalling, fixed telecommunication and automatic train protection (ATP) systems, centralised traffic control (CTC), security equipment, GSM-R[3] communications equipment and infrastructure for trains and operators.

"This project is a further step in achieving a rail network that applies the latest advances in signalling for more efficient and sustainable mobility. Alstom's ERTMS/ETCS technology brings significant benefits in terms of interoperability, safety, system capacity, service reliability and energy efficiency. "

Luciano Barbieri
MD Signalling & Infrastructure for Alstom in Spain
  • 120
    ERTMS/ETCS projects led by Alstom
  • >46,000 kms
    more than 46,000 kilometres of lines equipped by Alstom
  • 19,200
    on-board units installed

Leader in signalling

The new line adds to the state-of-the-art signalling projects that Alstom has been developing in Spain over the last two decades, which include, among others, the commissioning of the first ATP on the Mediterranean Corridor, the first driverless system in Spain (People Mover for Madrid Airport) and the first mainline railway system operating with ERTMS  Level 2 without Level 1 support in the Albacete-Alicante Corridor. In addition, Alstom teams in Spain teams installed more than 600 onboard signalling systems on different commuter and high-speed trains.

With more than 650 engineers in Spain for the development of signalling solutions, Alstom’s footprint in the country for signalling includes two centres of excellence and test laboratories in Madrid, as well as project centres in Leon, Sitges and Malaga. From its facilities in Spain, Alstom develops and supplies signalling and digital mobility solutions for more than 20 countries.

With more than 30 years of experience. Alstom is a leading supplier of onboard and on-track ERTMS/ETCS equipment. Worldwide, Alstom has developed more than 120 ERTMS/ETCS projects, installed 19,200 on board units and equipped more than 46,000 kilometres of lines.

[1] European Traffic Management System /  European Train Control System
[2] Consortium is composed of Alstom (96%) and Indra (4%)
[3] Global System for Mobile Communications – Railway

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