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🚥 EULYNX: Driving the Future of Standardized Railway Signaling

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RailPulse Tech
February 20, 2025

🚀 Hello, Germany is fast-tracking its rail modernisation with Deutsche Bahn’s EUR 6.3 billion investment in digital signalling, Los Angeles is planning major transit upgrades to support a car-free 2028 Olympics, and Turkey's Halkali-Kapikule railway is set to connect Istanbul to Europe in just three hours by 2028.

These projects highlight a global push for smarter, more sustainable rail infrastructure, integrating advanced technology and expanding networks to reduce congestion and emissions.

TOP STORIES

Deutsche Bahn’s EUR 6.3 billion Digital Overhaul
Deutsche Bahn has signed a EUR 6.3 billion contract with four rail industry firms to modernise Germany’s railway control and safety technology. Covering digital interlocking (DSTW), ETCS, and control systems, the deal ensures Deutsche Bahn procures 15,500 control units by 2028, with projects extending to 2032. This framework accelerates deployment by reducing procurement timelines and eliminating multiple tenders. Industry partners, including Siemens and Alstom, gain stability through binding commitments, enabling faster upgrades to outdated signaling systems. The first project calls are expected in spring 2025, marking a major step in Germany’s rail digitisation.

Los Angeles Moves Beyond Cars for 2028 Olympics 
Los Angeles is aiming for a 'car-free' 2028 Olympics by investing in expanded transit infrastructure, including rail extensions and pedestrian-friendly projects, to encourage a permanent shift away from car dependence.

Halkali-Kapikule Railway 
The Halkali-Kapikule railway, currently under construction since 2017, is a key segment of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) that will link Istanbul's Halkali district to Kapikule at the Turkish-Bulgarian border, facilitating travel in approximately 3 hours. This high-speed line, set to accommodate 3.4 million tourists by 2028, will integrate with Turkey's national rail system, connecting to Ankara. The project is co-financed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and it aligns with Turkey's broader rail development initiatives, including the Mesopotamia Express.

Regional Highlights

Europe:

  • 🇮🇪 Alstom has completed ETCS Level 1 installation on Ireland’s Dundalk-Greystones line, enhancing safety, efficiency, and interoperability for the DART+ network.

  • đź‘‘ King Charles III has awarded DB Cargo UK a new royal warrant for the operation and maintenance of the royal train, including renaming locomotives to reflect the new monarch, recognising the company's long-standing service to the Royal Household..

  • 🌄 The Heart of Wales line, which escaped the Beeching cuts, continues to offer travelers a peaceful journey through stunning landscapes, blending history, nature, and a slower pace of life.

  • 🧸 Activists disrupted the railway connecting Tesla's Berlin factory to the city, targeting Tesla and Deutsche Bahn for clearing a protest camp near the factory in November.

  • 🇬🇧 HS2 project has reached a milestone with the completion of the first of 13 viaducts, the 472m River Tame West viaduct, at Delta Junction, and is progressing with peak construction efforts involving around 30,000 workers, while still facing delays and rising costs.

Aisa:

  • 🇹🇭 Thailand's cabinet has approved the second phase of the high-speed rail project connecting Thailand to China through Laos, with construction starting in 2025 and completion expected in 2030, including a logistics hub in Nong Khai for cargo transfer.

  • 🇰🇷 Woojin Industrial Systems has secured three major domestic railway contracts in the past two months, including orders for 168 train cars from Busan Transportation, 108 cars from KORAIL, and 220 cars for Seoul Metro, while also expanding its international presence with maintenance contracts and a USD 300 million order for the Inglewood Transit Connector project in Los Angeles.

  • 🇮🇳 A tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday left 15 dead and 15 injured, with the victims mainly being pilgrims traveling to the Maha Kumbh festival.

  • 🇦🇪 Etihad Rail's inaugural Global Rail Innovation Award recognized three groundbreaking projects - CEMIT's infrastructure monitoring, LTTS's real-time rail defect detection, and SYSTRA's digital twin technology - awarding each AED 500,000 to pilot their initiatives and promote innovation in rail transport.

North America:

  • 🏙️ The Gateway Development Commission has awarded a USD 1.18 billion contract for the Manhattan Tunnel Project to Frontier-Kemper-Tutor-Perini JV, with construction set to begin soon and completion expected by 2029, creating 15,800 jobs and ensuring union collaboration through a Project Labor Agreement.

The Big Trend

The Rise of Standardization in Railway Signaling Systems

EULYNX, a European initiative, is driving the standardisation of railway signalling systems to improve interoperability, reduce costs, and increase safety. By developing modular architectures and standardised interfaces, EULYNX is enablling different signalling systems to work together seamlessly, which reduces lifecycle costs and mitigates risks associated with vendor lock-in.

Key Benefits:

Reduced delays through dynamic rerouting and conflict resolution. Enhanced passenger experience with accurate real-time updates. Increased network efficiency by optimizing train paths.

  • Enhanced interoperability between different manufacturers' signaling components.

  • Reduced lifecycle costs through modular, standardised systems.

  • Greater flexibility and easier integration of new technologies into existing networks.

Real-World Examples

  • Finland: EULYNX-compliant interfaces are being integrated into the Finnish railway network, facilitating smoother integration of advanced technologies.

  • Norway: Bane NOR is testing the ERTMS signaling system using EULYNX's modular architecture.

Why It Matters: 

Standardization initiatives like EULYNX play a crucial role in modernising Europe’s rail systems by promoting cost-effective and interoperable solutions. As more countries adopt these standards, it will pave the way for a more connected and efficient European railway network.

Statistics of the Week

  • Eurostar resumes its direct Amsterdam-London service with a 10% capacity increase, aiming for 650 passengers by September 2025 and five daily services by 2026.

  • Renfe's AVE service has surpassed 1 million passengers, with Marseille-Madrid route accounting for 60% of demand, and plans for a third route to Toulouse by 2025.

  • In 2024, cargo transportation by rail in Cambodia increased by 8.29%, reaching 1.16 million tonnes, while passenger traffic decreased by 16.98%, totalling 104,100 passengers.

  • Indian Railways, operating 132,310 km of track and employing over 1.2 million people, faces financial strain with an operating ratio of 98% in 2022-23. Freight contributes 60% of revenue, but passenger services remain unprofitable. Staff and pension costs accounted for 69% of total revenue in 2021-22.

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