European Commission sets new ERTMS deployment targets

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The European Commission has revised its deployment timeline for ERTMS after describing targets set in 2009 as “unrealistic”.

Around half of Europe’s core rail network will be equipped with the standardised in-cab signalling system by 2023, according to the latest European Rail Traffic Management System European Deployment Plan (ERTMS EDP).

The remaining sections of the nine core corridors are expected to be completed between 2024 and 2030.

In its announcement, the Commission said the deadlines for the original plan “became unrealistic due to shortage of financing, limited number of available qualified experts or technical problems during implementation”.

ERTMS is a standardised system which, the European Commission hopes, will eventually replace the 25 distinct systems in use around the continent.

Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc said: “The European Rail Traffic Management System, or ERTMS, makes a direct contribution to the competitiveness and the safety of European railways.

“The deployment plan adopted today provides for a phased implementation along the European rail network, bringing us closer to a fully interoperable single European rail area, where trains can more easily travel across borders.”