Thanks to our collaboration with the Hungarian state railways MÁV, we could improve rail traffic on an important line connecting Hungary and Austria. We are proud to contribute to the enhanced appeal of Hungary's railways, a crucial step in addressing today's environmental challenges and promoting sustainable mobility.
Managing Director, Hitachi Rail in Hungary
Update the existing European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 1 on the critical stretch from Budapest to Hegyeshalom at the Hungarian-Austrian border. This modernization undertaking was essential to enable uninterrupted train travel from Budapest to Vienna and allow to operate the full section of railway line 1 as high-speed line with up to 160 km/h.
Hitachi Rail updated the existing trackside ETCS Level 1 solution and enhanced it with additional advanced functionalities.
Increased driving speeds with maximum safety can be reached thanks to the extension of rail drivers' visual capabilities. This technological improvement is achieved through the implementation of multi-section movement authority enabled by the coupling of Lineside Electronic Units (LEU).
ETCS Level 1 further improved safety in critical areas, such as level crossings.
In addition, the system's maintainability has undergone significant enhancements. The capability of managing LEU diagnosis remotely enables the early resolution of issues for seamless operations.
A key achievement in this project is the ETCS handover between Hungary and Austria at the border. Hitachi Rail implemented a seamless transition from ETCS Level 1 on the Hungarian side to ETCS Level 2 on the Austrian side, allowing trains to pass the border without having to stop and wait for about 10-12 minutes. This improves efficiency and enables a smoother journey for both passengers and freight moving across the border.
Revitalizing the current ETCS Level 1 solution enables efficient interoperability with existing signaling installations on the line.
