(15/03/2012)  This is the first European suburban line to enjoy this signalling solution, installed until now exclusively on high speed networks. It will provide railway transport with greater train circulation safety and will also allow for an increase in traffic and train frequency.

The onboard ERTMS signalling technology developed by Alstom has been installed on the 112 Civia trains currently in use on Madrid railway network. The Alstom Transport division in Spain has been responsible for the design, execution and implementation of the entire project under the supervision of its technological centre based in Madrid.

To implement this project it has been necessary to equip the infrastructure with the ERTMS technology, work which has been carried out by the consortium formed by Dimetronic and Thales.
More than 30 million euros have been invested in track installations, performed through the Directorate General of Railways. The operator Renfe has allocated more than 23 million euros to the progressive fitting out of its trains.

As a result of this pioneering experience, the ERTMS technology will be gradually incorporated on suburban lines where traffic intensity is greater. The ERTMS equipment installed on the line is a Level 1 system, which constantly supervises train movement and speed.

The number of trains equipped with ERTMS technology will gradually increase on line C4, as well as the adaptation of human and material resources to the system requirements without affecting already existing services. The installation of Level 2 ERTMS technology on Madrid's suburban train network is also planned, which will increase the lines’ operational capacity.