PRESS RELEASE Hitachi and Network Rail collaborate on ETCS-compatible signalling demonstration London – 20 th February 2008: Following the introduction of its Class 395 bullet train to the UK in 2007, Hitachi Europe has announced that it is running a trial alongside Network Rail to test and introduce its ETCS-compatible signalling system. The system is based on the highly reliable Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system that is used in Tokyo, the most congested metropolitan area in Japan, as well as on the Shinkansen, Japanese Bullet Train.
European Train Control ETCS has been developed since 1996 as part of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) initiative. ERTMS addresses the fact that railway networks across Europe evolved as separate national networks with the same gauge but with significant differences in voltages, signalling and control systems. Any new signalling system introduced in Europe must therefore be compatible with ETCS.
The aim of the system is to enhance the capacity of the UK network, support increasingly reliable train operation and provide more efficient cab-based signalling system. Hitachi and Network Rail plan to have a demonstration train running by 2010/2011 and the results of the tests will be shared with the appropriate UK and European technical bodies.
Alistair Dormer, general manager Rail Systems Group at Hitachi Europe, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with Network Rail on a project to bring our highly reliable signalling service to the UK market. Through the launch of our ETCS-compatible signalling system, we hope to make major contributions to the UK ERTMS National Implementation plan (ETCS Level 2) that will ultimately help to improve overall conditions on the rail infrastructure across Europe.” For further information, please contact: Hirofumi Ojima or: Patrick Evans/Ewan Robertson Hitachi Rail Systems Citigate Dewe Rogerson 020 7970 2700 020 7282 2981 More information about Hitachi’s Rail Systems Industrial Group can be found at www.hitachi-rail.com About Hitachi Europe Ltd. Hitachi Europe Ltd., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., Japan. Headquartered in Maidenhead, UK, it has operations in 16 countries and employs over 5400 people across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. As a 'Best Solutions Partner' Hitachi Europe tailors its services and solutions to meet the specific needs of its customers. Hitachi Europe comprises eleven key business areas: Rail systems, power and industrial systems ; information systems; high performance computing; digital media, consumer products; automotive; air-conditioning and refrigeration systems; procurement and sourcing; and corporate technology group (research & development) and the Hitachi Design Centre. For more information about Hitachi Europe Ltd., please visit http://www.hitachi-eu.com .
