Siemens modernizes rail line in Turkey

Siemens is supplying the Trackguard Westrace electronic interlocking systems, point machines, level-crossing technology, communication technology, and the train control system ETCS (European Train Control System) Level 1 for the route, which covers 31 stations. The contract also includes equipping the operations control center located in Samsun. In recent years Siemens has already equipped many routes in Turkey with signaling and operations control technology, for example Line 1 of the Istanbul metro. The extension of the line to an overall length of 25 kilometers was also automated by Siemens and opened for service in 2012. In main-line transport, Siemens supplies ETCS signaling technology for the route sections from Bandirma to Menemen as well as for one of the most important high-speed line in Turkey between the industry hub of Konya and the capital city of Ankara. Siemens also supplied all of the signaling and control technology for the Marmaray Tunnel which was opened for service in 2013. The tunnel is the core of one of the largest traffic infrastructure projects worldwide. It runs under the Bosphorus to connect the railway lines on the European side with those on the Asian side of Istanbul.

Around 150 million passengers a year are transported on the 10,000-plus kilometers of the Turkish rail network. Less than ten percent of the rail network is double tracked. Turkey is therefore planning to increase its economic output on the rails to strengthen its transportation and logistics sectors. With projects such as the one in Marmaray, the expansion of various high-speed routes and the modernization of railway stations, the Turkish railway company has set tangible targets for the coming years. The five-year plan involves extending the conventional railway network from 8770 to 10,556 kilometers and the high-speed network from 888 to 2496 kilometers by 2018. This involves investments of around 20 billion euros in construction measures and the procurement of rail technology.