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Press Release10 March 2026Siemens AGMunich
Siemens Demonstrates the Nordic Region’s First Automated Train Drive with ETCS and ATO in Finland
Photosource: Siemens Mobility
“Introducing
ATO over ETCS to Finland – and for the first time to the Nordic countries – is
a major milestone in modernizing the railway system,” says
Marc Ludwig, CEO
Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility. “This demonstration marks a
significant step toward more efficient and sustainable rail transport in
Finland. We are proud to drive this transformation alongside the Digirail programme.
With our technology, our customers can increase capacity by 30%, significantly
improve punctuality, and save over 30% energy.”
“Train
automation combined with modern safety systems increases capacity, enhances
safety, and brings greater predictability to rail operations. The testing phase
marks a significant step toward automated rail transport and stands as a
concrete result of years of close collaboration,” says
Director Esa Sirkiä,
who is responsible for Digirail programme in
Finnish Transport
Infrastructure Agency.
“Today’s test runs clearly
demonstrate what can be achieved when railway stakeholders work closely
together towards a shared goal. Train automation enables safer, more punctual
and more energy-efficient operations, while also allowing the rail network to
be used more efficiently. Finland has strong expertise in developing rail
traffic, and initiatives like this move the entire sector steadily forward
towards the future of rail traffic,” says
Sanna Järvenpää, CEO of Fintraffic
Railway Ltd.
In these runs, Siemens
Mobility showcased how the train performed an automated stop from 100 km/h with
a precision of 30 to 80 centimeters, while also demonstrating smooth
acceleration and controlled braking under ATO supervision. The test highlighted
the seamless interaction between the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level
2 and onboard automation, ensuring stable, repeatable, and efficient operations
in real-world mainline conditions.
ETCS is a standardized
signaling and control system that enhances rail safety by continuously
supervising train speed and movement authority. It replaces fragmented national
systems with a common European standard. Building on this, ATO complements ETCS
by automating key operational tasks like acceleration, coasting, braking, and
stopping, further optimizing punctuality, traffic flow, and energy consumption.
Digitalizing
Finland's Rail System
In 2024, Siemens Mobility secured two
contracts supporting Finland’s forward-thinking Digirail initiative to
modernize its railway infrastructure. As part of this effort, Siemens is
equipping. for test purposes, two trains with onboard unit technology, enabling
seamless communication between trains and rail infrastructure. This advanced
train control system will increase network capacity, enhance safety, and reduce
operational disruptions.
Moreover, Siemens Mobility is
modernizing the first commercial section (EKA) of the Tampere–Pori/Rauma line
using Signaling X, a cloud-ready, virtualized platform that leverages
commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware. This innovative solution simplifies
infrastructure, ensures efficient operations, and sets a new standard for
digital rail systems. The first segment is scheduled to be operational by 2029,
marking a major milestone for safer and more sustainable rail transportation in
Finland.
Led by Finland’s Ministry of
Transport, Digirail will implement ETCS nationwide, replacing aging systems to
deliver safer, more efficient, and sustainable rail operations. Siemens
Mobility is a vital partner in shaping this transformative project.
For this press release
Siemens Mobility
is a separately managed company of Siemens AG. As
a leader in intelligent transport solutions for more than 175 years, Siemens
Mobility is constantly innovating its portfolio. Its core areas include rolling
stock, rail automation and electrification, a comprehensive software portfolio,
turnkey systems as well as related services. With digital products and
solutions, and the use of industrial AI, Siemens Mobility is enabling mobility
operators worldwide to make their infrastructure intelligent, increase value
sustainably over the entire lifecycle, enhance passenger experience, and
guarantee availability. In fiscal year 2025, which ended on September 30, 2025,
Siemens Mobility posted revenue of €12.4 billion and employed around 43,400
people worldwide. Further information is available at
www.siemens.com.