Interoperable rail transport
Different train protection systems make cross-border transport more difficult and represent a considerable obstacle for the railways and the economy in view of the single European market. The European Union is therefore endeavouring to standardise and liberalise train traffic throughout Europe - with the aim of enabling interoperable and efficient cross-border rail traffic for all railway undertakings. ÖBB-Infrastruktur is therefore investing in the ETCS train control system.
ETCS Level 2
ÖBB-Infrastruktur is expanding the ETCS network to 3,700 kilometres of ETCS Level 2 in three implementation phases. The next implementation step for the ETCS migration is planned for 2026. It will mainly focus on upgrading the existing network with ETCS Level 2 in the vicinity of ÖBB's new construction and expansion projects that will go into operation by 2026 or are about to go into operation, such as the Koralm Railway, the Pottendorf Line or the four-track expansion of the Western Railway between Linz and Wels. These new and expansion projects will be equipped with ETCS as soon as they are commissioned. The eastern region (Greater Vienna area) is another priority in this first phase. The second phase will see the completion of the TEN-T corridors by 2030 and the final phase will complete the ETCS equipment on the heavily travelled rail network by 2038.
ETCS only
The expansion strategy envisages the gradual operation of ETCS-only by 2038. New lines are already being equipped exclusively with this standard; conventional safety systems such as PZB or LZB are no longer being used. ETCS Level 2 only is also already being implemented in the Vienna S-Bahn upgrade project. In future, this will enable a more frequent service in local transport and lead to shorter waiting times.