The Northern Metropolis Line is now the UK’s first commuter route totally managed by in-cab digital signalling.
Credit score: Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR)
The Northern Metropolis Line has grow to be the UK’s first commuter railway to function with out conventional lineside indicators, marking a serious milestone within the £1.4 billion government-funded East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP).
Rail Minister Lord Hendy joined trade leaders and Feryal Clark MP, Minister for AI and Digital Authorities, to witness the transition first-hand with a cab journey from Moorgate to Finsbury Park. The route now makes use of digital in-cab signalling through the European Prepare Management System (ETCS), offering drivers with real-time velocity and distance info straight on a display screen within the cab.
“Because of £1.4 billion of presidency funding, as half our Plan for Change, we’re bringing our railways into the twenty first century and past,” mentioned Lord Hendy. “Digital signalling shouldn’t be solely more economical, however even safer, extra resilient and greener than conventional signalling. Nice British Railways will put passengers again on the coronary heart of our transport community. This authorities is investing in expertise that can enhance railway capability and scale back delays by as much as a 3rd, enhancing connectivity to ship financial progress, jobs and houses.”
The elimination of lineside indicators on the Northern Metropolis Line is step one within the ECDP’s rollout, with digitally signalled companies on the East Coast Foremost Line anticipated to launch subsequent 12 months. The broader purpose is to modernise the nationwide rail community by digital innovation and deeper trade integration underneath Nice British Railways (GBR).
John Whitehurst, chief working officer at Govia Thameslink Railway, which operates Nice Northern companies, mentioned: “We’re extremely proud to be working the nation’s first signals-free, digitally-controlled commuter railway. It’s working effectively and bettering efficiency. This achievement is a big testimony to the laborious work put in by our staff right here at GTR and the shut collaboration with our trade companions.”
Toufic Machnouk, managing director at GBRX, added: “The success of the Northern Metropolis Line pathfinder is a crucial step within the wider Digital Railway Masterplan. It units a benchmark for the way we modernise the community and lays the groundwork for the way we ship progressive expertise that improves the railway for folks by GBRX.”
Ellie Burrows, Community Rail’s managing director for the Japanese area, praised the staff effort behind the venture: “This shift from conventional indicators to digital management on such a busy commuter route is a big achievement. I want to thank our signallers, controllers, maintainers and all who’ve labored with our trade companions to make this variation potential.”
Rob Morris of Siemens Mobility UK&I mentioned: “By bringing observe and practice collectively by our digital expertise, we’re serving to to rework rail journey and transport. Our Siemens Class 717 trains are the primary passenger fleet to function with ETCS digital signalling.”
Associated subjects
Computerized Prepare Operation/Autonomous Prepare Management (ATO/ATC), Digital Twins, Digitalisation, European Prepare Management System (ETCS), Infrastructure Developments, Operational Efficiency, Passenger Expertise/Satisfaction, Signalling, Management & Communications, Sustainability/Decarbonisation, Know-how & Software program
