EU's largest rail management system

There are several reasons European countries are updating their outdated rail traffic management systems:

• Ineffective and unreliable signalling
• International trains may need to operate in up to six different control systems, causing delays
• Increased travel capacity needed

Denmark will be the first country in Europe to upgrade its entire signalling system to ERTMS at once.

The new European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) aims at improving connectivity between European cities to allow for seamless travel within the EU. The system also allows for high-speed trains, increased capacity, and provides precise train positioning to give concise updates to passengers.

Estimated to be completed in 2033, the new system will reduce delays as well as ensure increased, standardised safety levels throughout Denmark.

The current relay interlocking systems dates to the 1930s and 1960s. These systems were based on now-obsolete technologies, making them difficult to operate and challenging to maintain.

For example, the analogue radio systems on the Danish railway network needed replacement with a new digital Global System for Mobile Communications-Railway (GSM-R) system. The digital GDM-R system ensures better data communication between trains and signal control system. This solution can lower error probability and power consumption, while delivering more accurate data transmission, better noise immunity, and higher levels of security.

Banedanmark (Rail Net Denmark), responsible for operating and developing Danish railways, chose the international consortium Ramboll-Atkins-Emch+Berger-Parsons for Banedanmark’s biggest consultancy contract to date. The consortium is responsible for solving the most challenging issues relating to implementation, including technical feasibility, project management, planning and financial planning.

In addition to leading the consortium in designing and implementing the new system rollout, Ramboll is using its telecom division to design both new towers and redesign existing towers. In total, the project amounts to nearly 400 individual sub-projects.