Interoperable Rail Traffic
Different train protection systems complicate cross-border traffic and pose a significant obstacle to the railways and the economy, given the common European internal market. Therefore, the European Union is committed to standardising and liberalising rail traffic across Europe — with the aim of enabling interoperable and efficient cross-border rail traffic for all railway operators. For this reason, ÖBB-Infrastruktur is investing in the ETCS train protection system.
ETCS Level 2
ÖBB-Infrastruktur is building the ETCS network in three implementation phases, expanding 3,700 kilometres with ETCS Level 2. The next step for the ETCS migration is planned for completion by 2026/27. The main focus is the retrofit of existing railway infrastructure with ETCS Level 2 in the context of ÖBB's new construction and network expansion projects commissioned by 2026 (the Koralm Railway, the Pottendorf Line, and the four-track expansion of the Western Railway between Linz and Wels etc.). These new and expansion projects will already be equipped with ETCS when they go into operation. The Eastern region (Greater Vienna) is also a priority in this first phase. The second phase, by 2030, aims to complete the TEN-T corridors, and the final phase will complete the ETCS equipment on the heavily used rail network by 2038.
ETCS only
The expansion strategy envisions the gradual operation of ETCS-only trains until 2038. New lines are already being equipped exclusively with this standard, and conventional signalling systems such as PZB or LZB will no longer be used. In the S-Bahn Upgrade Vienna project, ETCS Level 2 only is already being implemented. This will allow for more frequent services in local transport and lead to shorter waiting times.
Starting in 2032, the first phase of removing the existing system between Vienna and Salzburg will begin, followed in 2036 by the sections from the border with Italy and Slovenia to the borders with the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.
ETCS with virtual blocks on the S-Bahn Core Line
The S-Bahn main line’s northern section went into operation with ETCS L2 only on September 7, 2026. The remaining sections will also be equipped with ETCS L2 only in 2027. Starting in 2027, virtual train sequence sections (virtual subsections “VSS”) will be implemented as part of the Vienna S-Bahn Upgrade project. The conventional track clearance sections will be divided into several virtual sections. The occupancy status of virtual subsections is generated in the RBC based on the vehicle’s position data. Using the VSS functionality, the following train can already receive a longer Movement Authority, even though the physical axle counter section is still considered fully occupied by the signal box.