Bombardier Transportation announced the highest speed implementation of its European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) Level 2 signaling technology, and first ERTMS delivery in China.

The BOMBARDIER INTERFLO 450 solution has been provided together with systems integrator China Railway Signalling and Communications Corp. (CRSC) to WuGuang DPL Co. for the approximately 620-mile Dedicated Passenger Line (DPL) between the cities of Wuhan and Guangzhou that went into commercial operation on December 26, with maximum operating speeds of 217 mph.

The line is the first to operate under the control of the new very high-speed (VHS) rail control system in China (CTCS3), which applies the ERTMS Level 2 technology. The INTERFLO 450 solution delivered consists of 120 BOMBARDIER EBI Cab 2000 automatic train control onboard systems for 60 VHS train sets and nine EBI Com radio block centres (RBCs) for the line and stations. This is the first ERTMS Level 2 communications-based DPL system to be implemented in China.

Forming a part of China's extensive rail network expansion program, delivery was in strong partnership with the integrator and in cooperation with the operating customer (WuGuang DPL Co.) and the Chinese Ministry of Railways (MOR). The scope included development of local expertise in Bombardier's ERTMS Level 2 technology provided for the CTCS3 as well as joint development of a CTCS2 STM (specific transmission module) enabling interoperability with the national train protection system.

In the next few years thousands of miles of lines in China will be equipped with the new system as part of the development of the DPL network, planned to include 8,000 miles of high-speed lines by 2013.