New European train control system starts passenger operations in Germany
Paris, December 6, 2005 – Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) today announced that the new interoperable ETCS (European Train Control System) line began commercial passenger operations in Germany. This is a premiere in main line railway traffic based on ETCS Level 2 standard. Following intensive testing of the standardized European train control system ETCS, the German route between Berlin and Halle/Leipzig was authorized for commercial passenger operations on December 5th. The development of this ETCS Level 2 project was carried out by a consortium led by Alcatel and Siemens. On July 7th 2003, testing of ETCS began in the presence of Hartmut Mehdorn, Chairman of the Board for the Deutsche Bahn AG. A first for Europe was witnessed with a ETCS-Level2-driven train traveling between Jüterbog and Bitterfeld at 200 km/h. European train companies and the train industry agree that only the equipment of whole corridors with ETCS is economically viable and the desired timing and economic benefits can only be guaranteed over long distances. In Germany, the hub of European transport, the aim is to equip 4,500 km of these trans-European corridors with ETCS by 2020. However only in cooperation with EU member states, is it more economical to migrate goods transport from roads to rail. At present there are 6,000 km of ETCS-equipped routes in the development and testing phases in Europe. In the consolidation of long distances, Germany has a particular responsibility as far as transport politics is concerned due to its central location within Europe.
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