European-wide standards
Different train protection systems complicate cross-border traffic and pose an obstacle to the railways and the economy. 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-Infrastructure is investing in the ETCS train protection system.
ETCS expansion plan & strategy
ÖBB-Infrastructure 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. This step mainly focuses on upgrading existing infrastructure with ETCS Level 2 in connection with new construction or expansion projects by ÖBB that will go into operation or are expected to be completed by 2026. For example the Koralmbahn, the Pottendorfer Line, or the four-track expansion of the Westbahn between Linz and Wels. 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. T
- The final phase will complete the ETCS equipment on the heavily used rail network by 2038.
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.