The construction of the system renewing the train control in Finland begins between Tampere, Pori and Rauma

The project renewing the train control system in Finland will begin in September. The first construction sites will be on the track sections between Tampere, Pori and Rauma. The works will be visible on the field but will not affect passenger train traffic for the time being.

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency aims to replace the Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system by 2040. The first work sites will be on the track sections between Tampere, Pori and Rauma. So far, the forthcoming system has been tested on a closed test track. Now, the system will be introduced to ordinary passenger and freight train traffic.

The first work sites are between Kokemäki and Rauma and Lielahti and Suoniemi. “This infrastructure project produces hardly any noise or dust. So, in this sense, this project will be quite inconspicuous to the people who live along the track. There will be traffic impacts from October onwards and, for the time being, for freight traffic only. The work will be coordinated with traffic, thus minimising potential traffic impacts. Instead, the project will offer significant future opportunities for train traffic,” says Project Manager Aapo Tiilikainen.

The forthcoming train control system will be compatible with the European Train Control System (ETCS). Finland is required to have such a solution. The train control system is based on a radio network. It reduces the need for visible signals along the track, which is why the project is called by the name Digirail. Digirail enables more efficient use of infrastructure capacity, improving the reliability, punctuality and safety of train traffic. 

The current Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system is coming to the end of its life cycle at the end of this decade. A train control system is an assembly of safety devices on both trains and tracks that automatically ensures that trains travel at the right speed and comply with signals.
The construction work will be carried out as part of the development and verification phase of the Digirail. The total budget of the phase is EUR 130 million. The work will be completed in early 2027. The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, Fintraffic and the Ministry of Transport and Communications will implement the project in cooperation with other stakeholders.

More information:
Aapo Tiilikainen, Project Manager, tel. +358 29 534 3032

The Digirail project will lead Finland towards safer, more efficient and smoother rail traffic. The project will renew the obsolete train control system and introduce the common radio-based European Train Control System (ETCS) throughout the railway network. Digirail will enable safe traffic and an improved service level, and increase infrastructure capacity. It will create a solid technological development base for Finnish rail traffic in the long term. The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, Fintraffic and the Ministry of Transport and Communications will implement the project in cooperation with other stakeholders.