The first ERTMS/ETCS trials carried out on CFL lines in Luxembourg - by ALSTOM and ALCATEL respectively - have demonstrated the feasibility of interoperability between two manufacturers. The CFL hopes these efforts will give ERTMS the best chance of being adopted as the main ATP system.

On April 29, approximately 100 people from railways and rail supply companies met in Brussels for a conference on ERTMS.

Editorial

At a time when the European Union is enlarging and now includes some 25 member States, ERTMS is not only an important technological advance for rail, it also plays a very relevant role in the effort for greater mobility of people and goods.
With its flexibility, ERTMS is making rail interoperability a reality, meeting the requirements of all countries for both high speed and conventional rail.

ALSTOM is proud to be at the forefront of this far-reaching initiative, providing rail owners and operators with proven products for ERTMS - 9 customers and 10 projects to date - and pursuing the development of further solutions.

François Lacôte
Senior Vice President of Technology
ALSTOM Transport