Alstom to Modernise Railway Signalling in Chile
This collaboration will launch the Virtual Signalling Control (CSV) project to enhance communication and signalling on Chile’s railways for both passenger and freight services.
This collaboration will launch the Virtual Signalling Control (CSV) project to enhance communication and signalling on Chile’s railways for both passenger and freight services.
Denis Girault, Managing Director of Alstom Chile, said:
“At Alstom, we work every day for modern and sustainable mobility, which delivers innovative, reliable and safe solutions. This contract confirms Alstom's innovative nature and its versatility in delivering tailor-made solutions to meet the needs of customers and the mobility of Chileans, to which we have a long-term commitment.”
The CSV project will integrate a state-of-the-art traffic control system, enabling more efficient use of rail networks as the demand for passenger and cargo transport continues to rise.
The new system will feature a central control centre that will consolidate existing and new interlocked equipment into a unified interface.
Additionally, on-board signalling equipment will be installed on trains, providing real-time updates to train drivers on the status of the signalling systems. This will include alerts for excessive speed, track usage, and automatic braking in certain situations, thereby improving the intrinsic safety of railway operations for both passenger and freight services.
José Solorza, General Manager of EFE Trenes de Chile said:
“This award represents a major step forward in the completion of our Virtual Signalling Control project. It will allow us to continue advancing in our commitment to provide Chile with a greater presence of the railway mode, both at the passenger and freight level.”
The new system is expected to optimise Chile’s railway infrastructure by enabling higher frequencies of freight trains and improving the overall capacity of the freight network.
Girault added:
“The railway system worldwide and in Chile needs innovative solutions, and Alstom is at the forefront of these systems. This initiative will provide train operators with more timely, accurate and reliable information.”
The project, secured through a public bidding process, represents a 55 million EUR investment. The agreement also includes a five-year maintenance contract, with the possibility of renewal.
A pilot phase of the project is expected to be operational within the next 13 months, marking the first step towards full implementation across the national railway network.
