SBB & Siemens: Digital Rail Signaling in Switzerland – Benefits

Introduction

Siemens Mobility and Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) have finalized a long-term framework agreement to digitalize Switzerland’s rail signaling infrastructure. The ten-year contract, which includes the design and construction of complete digital interlocking systems, is part of SBB’s strategy for a more modern, efficient, and sustainable rail system.

Scope of the Agreement

The framework agreement between Siemens Mobility and SBB includes the design and construction of complete digital interlocking systems, covering both hardware and software. It also encompasses a comprehensive package of services, including development, training, long-term maintenance, and support. The agreement can be extended three times for additional five-year periods and incorporates 25 years of maintenance to ensure continued operational reliability. Over the next two decades, approximately 500 interlockings will be modernized, replacing about 80 percent of Switzerland’s existing systems. The first installations are scheduled to enter service in 2029, with additional orders for individual interlockings to follow throughout the program.

Technology and Benefits

At the core of the partnership is Siemens Mobility’s digital interlocking platform. This platform shifts interlocking logic to centralized data centers. By decoupling hardware from software and using a virtualized, data-driven architecture, the system enables faster, more flexible, and resilient network operations. According to Siemens Mobility, this approach will increase network capacity, reduce maintenance requirements, and support SBB’s long-term sustainability goals by optimizing energy use and train movements. The new interlocking technology will support shorter train intervals, enhanced fault detection, and faster recovery from disruptions.

Strategic Partnership and Implementation

Siemens Mobility has a long-standing presence in Switzerland and has collaborated with SBB for decades on control, signaling, and modernization projects. The company’s Swiss operations cover the full value chain, including design, production, assembly, and commissioning, supported by local teams with extensive technical expertise. This continuity and local presence were key factors in SBB’s decision to extend its partnership with Siemens. The modernization of interlockings is a cornerstone of SBB’s wider digital transformation program, designed to improve reliability, operational flexibility, and sustainability across its 3,266-kilometer standard-gauge network.

Future Outlook

By introducing centralized, software-defined control, SBB aims to boost capacity and reduce delays, accommodating rising demand for rail travel and freight movement. The digital architecture will also facilitate integration with other advanced technologies, such as the European Train Control System (ETCS) and predictive maintenance systems. The partnership between Siemens Mobility and SBB represents one of the most ambitious digital interlocking programs in Europe. With the first commissioning planned for 2029, the digital transformation of SBB’s signaling network is set to extend well into the 2040s, aligning with broader European efforts to harmonize rail control systems and improve cross-border interoperability.

Conclusion

Siemens Mobility and Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) have signed a framework agreement for the digitalization of Switzerland’s rail signalling infrastructure. This ten-year contract includes the design, construction, and maintenance of digital interlocking systems, aiming to modernize approximately 500 interlockings by 2040. The project, utilizing Siemens Mobility’s digital interlocking platform, seeks to improve network capacity, reduce maintenance, and support SBB’s sustainability goals. The first installations are scheduled to enter service in 2029.

Company Summary

Siemens Mobility: Has a long-standing presence in Switzerland and has worked closely with SBB for decades on control, signaling, and modernization projects.

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB): The largest standard-gauge network in Switzerland used for both passenger and freight services. SBB aims to boost capacity and reduce delays.

Technology

European Train Control System (ETCS): An advanced train protection system designed to enhance safety and operational efficiency on railways.