Siemens Mobility Secures Landmark Contract to Implement Chile's First ETCS Level 2 System

Historic Rail Modernization for Chile

Siemens Mobility has secured a significant contract from EFE Trenes de Chile, the national railway operator, to implement the country's first European Train Control System Level 2 (ETCS L2). This landmark project aims to modernize Chile's railway infrastructure, enhancing safety, efficiency, and operational capacity. The advanced signaling system will be deployed across 87 kilometers of railway on two pivotal lines: the Tren Alameda-Melipilla (61 km) and the Tren Santiago-Batuco (26 km), both currently under construction.

The contract involves a five-year period for engineering, supply, installation, and commissioning of the systems, followed by a comprehensive ten-year maintenance agreement.

Introducing 'Signaling X' to Latin America

This project also marks the inaugural deployment of Siemens Mobility's cutting-edge 'Signaling X' platform in Latin America. Operating on the robust DS3 platform, designed for Safety Integrity Level 4 (SIL4) applications, Signaling X integrates interlockings, signaling, and control systems into a centralized, virtualized data center. This cloud-ready platform is engineered to run on commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware, simplifying infrastructure and reducing complexity for operators.

Key components of the new digital signaling infrastructure include:

• Advanced interlockings
• Wayside equipment
• Traffic control centers
• Onboard systems for 32 trains

Communication for the system will leverage 4G-LTE technology, with provisions for future 5G readiness.

Strategic Importance and Future Outlook

Marc Ludwig, CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, stated, 'We are honored to lead this pivotal project in Latin America, bringing our cutting-edge Signaling X technology to the region for the first time and setting new standards for railway operations and efficiency.' Ricardo Ramos, CEO of Siemens Mobility Spain and Southwest Europe region, added that 'The implementation of ETCS Level 2 in Chile and the first use of our suite Signaling X in Latinoamérica establish new standards of safety and efficiency.'

The implementation of ETCS L2 is a core part of EFE Trenes de Chile's strategic plan to standardize this technology for future network expansions. This initiative is expected to bring numerous benefits, including enhanced operational efficiency, simplified system maintenance, and the creation of prerequisites for future expansions and potential AI applications. As part of the contract, Siemens Mobility plans to establish a regional software maintenance Center of Competence (CoC) in Chile, aiming to support this project and foster future railway developments across Latin America.