Siemens Mobility has signed a long-term strategic framework with Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) that aims to provide a basis for a modern and efficient railway system by pushing forward the digitalisation of interlockings across its 3,266 kilometre network.

The agreement covers all hardware and software construction of digital interlockings, as well as development, training and support, in a bid to increase operational capacity and create a more sustainable infrastructure.

The project will be the largest modernisation effort in Switzerland’s history

© Siemens Mobility

Initially set for a term of ten years; the agreement has an option to be extended three times for periods of five years each, and will see the largest signalling modernisation in the country’s history, with approximately 500 interlockings set to be modernised and roughly 80% of the existing systems set to be replaced within the next twenty years.

Both partners have also agreed to 25 years worth of maintenance, and commissioning of the first interlockings is planned for 2029, with individual interlockings orders during the course of the agreement will be awarded on an ongoing basis.

The modernisation programme will utilise Signaling X, Siemens Mobility’s cloud-based platform that enables interlocking logic to be shifted to central data centres, allowing for full digitalisation of signalling processes on the railway network.

Michael Peter, CEO Siemens Mobility GmbH, said:

We are delighted to be shaping the future of the Swiss railway landscape together with SBB. At the heart of this transformation are virtual interlocking systems. With Signaling X, interlocking logic is intelligently shifted to central data centers, digitalizing rail operations from the ground up.

This groundbreaking technology not only significantly increases the network’s capacity and reliability, but also decisively contributes to SBB’s climate goals. By providing guaranteed system availability of up to 100 percent, we are helping to achieve our shared goal: more trains running at shorter intervals for passenger and freight transport in Switzerland.

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source= https://railway-news.com/siemens-and-sbb-to-digitalise-interlockings-across-switzerland/