Eurotunnel modernises its signalling system with SYSTRA

The teams from Design & Build and International (DB&I), SYSTRA France and SYSTRA United Kingdom are responsible for defining the migration strategy and carrying out the project to replace the Channel Tunnel’s existing command and control and signalling system with a state-of-the-art system based on ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) technology.

A ‘big bang’ systems renewal

Eurotunnel has launched a programme to modernise its operating, control and signalling system, with the deployment of ERTMS in the Channel Tunnel.

The migration should be carried out without any disruption to operations. Eurotunnel’s objective is to move to ERTMS without the overlay phase with the existing system. This method, known as the ‘Big Bang’, means that the two signalling systems, the new ERTMS and the existing TVM 430, will have to cohabit during the trial period (thanks to the ‘Y’ solution, which allows switching from one system to the other), before switching directly to the new system and removing the existing system.

This commercial success is significant in more ways than one: firstly, because this is an emblematic and truly unique project, given its geographical location, operating constraints and safety requirements. This award is also a vote of confidence, as we have once again been selected by this client, who had already chosen us in 2019.

Daria Collard, ERTMS project director, SYSTRA DB&I

The cooperation of our three Business Units DB&I, UK and France ensures that we have the best expertise and the appropriate contacts to meet the requirements of this project. It should be emphasised that we are renewing a signalling system 30 years after installing the existing one: technology changes, but SYSTRA and its expertise remain the same!

Marta Guillen Cavero, Head of International Bids, International Tenders & Services, SYSTRA SA

Priority to safety

In order to limit interruptions to traffic and guarantee greater safety on the project, work will be carried out alongside other Eurotunnel activities (such as maintenance or partial operation), limited to two nights a week. The tunnel is in fact in operation 24 hours a day.

The bi-national context of the infrastructure, governed by different approval procedures between France and the UK, as well as a large number of regulatory interlocutors, will have to be taken into account in addition to the specific safety rules applied by Eurotunnel.

The interfaces with the French and British networks will require the coordination of several project managers, making the management of this project unique.

The Channel Tunnel, a benchmark project for SYSTRA

This contract marks SYSTRA’s return to the Channel Tunnel. As early as 2019, we had won the studies for the transfer of signalling systems to ERTMS, but the mission had been interrupted in 2020 by Eurotunnel due to the Covid pandemic and regulatory uncertainties linked to Brexit.

Prior to this, between 1987 and 1994, SYSTRA was responsible for implementing the rail signalling system for Transmanche Link, and then for supporting its launch.