Hitachi Rail has secured a framework contract to design and deploy advanced digital signalling on 700km of rail lines across Italy.
The digital signalling technology is part of the European Rail Transport Management System (ERTMS) which looks to create a consistent railway network across the continent.
The $549m (€500m) contract is billed as the first technological project funded by Italy’s National Plan for Recovery and Resilience.
Hitachi Rail will serve as the principal provider in an alliance to support the digital signalling programme. Other partners are Alstom, Ferroviaria, and Ceit.
Michele Fracchiolla, Hitachi Rail EMEA and Australia sales and projects executive officer, said: “This system clearly indicates the intention to extend the benefits of the high-speed technological evolution to other types of lines, particularly to regional transport.”
The scope of the work includes the replacement of traffic lights with onboard digital cab signalling.
The project will also deploy a new automatic train protection system and GSM-R radio system to facilitate communications between track and train.
ERTMS will also enable trains coming from neighbouring European nations to run on Italian lines without disruption.
Image credit: Hitachi Rail
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