Madrid-Extremadura High-Speed: ERTMS Level 2 & Rail Tech Advancements

Introduction

The UTE consortium, comprising Hitachi Rail and Sistem, has been awarded a EUR 126.5 million contract to install signalling and traffic management systems on the 70 km Talayuela–Plasencia railway section of the Madrid–Extremadura high-speed line.

Contract Details

The contract awarded to the UTE consortium includes the installation of signalling technology, such as interlockings, train protection systems, fixed telecommunications, and the ERTMS Level 2 signalling and train control system. The consortium will also implement a Centralised Traffic Control (CTC) system to enable remote and real-time management of these elements. Furthermore, the contract covers the subsequent maintenance of all deployed equipment for a 48-month period.

ERTMS Implementation

A key feature of the project is the implementation of the European Train Protection System (ERTMS) Level 2, utilizing Hitachi Rail technology as the primary operational base.

Madrid–Extremadura High-Speed Line Overview

The signalling and traffic management systems contract represents a step toward the completion of the 437 km Madrid–Extremadura high-speed line by Adif. This line comprises three electrified sections. These are the Plasencia – Cáceres – Mérida – Badajoz section, the Madrid – Oropesa section, and the Talayuela–Plasencia railway section. The entire project, which is part of the Atlantic Corridor, represents an investment of EUR 3.8 billion.

Plasencia – Badajoz Section

The 195 km Plasencia – Badajoz section, which opened in July 2022, has been operating as an electrified line since December 2023. This section includes significant infrastructure, such as the 1.5 km Tagus Viaduct, and the 996-metre Almonte Viaduct, both of which span the Alcántara reservoir. The Los Castaños Tunnel, with a length of 3.4 km, is the longest tunnel on the line.

Conclusion

The UTE consortium, Hitachi Rail, and Sistem have been awarded a EUR 126.5 million contract for signalling and traffic management systems on the Talayuela–Plasencia section. The project involves ERTMS Level 2 implementation and is part of the larger Madrid–Extremadura high-speed line project.

Company Summary

Hitachi Rail: A company involved in the UTE consortium awarded a contract for signalling and traffic management systems.

Sistem: A company involved in the UTE consortium awarded a contract for signalling and traffic management systems.

Adif: The company completing the 437 km Madrid–Extremadura high-speed line project.

Technology

ERTMS Level 2: The European Train Protection System, used in the project.

CTC: Centralised Traffic Control system.