Delivery of advanced digital signalling improves efficiency of passenger and freight services towards Budapest

Project underlines Hungary’s ambition and commitment to railway innovation and sustainable transport solutions

Hitachi Rail has successfully led the upgrade of the 60-kilometre railway section between Budapest's Rákos station and Hatvan in eastern Hungary - part of one of the country's most important railway infrastructure projects in recent years.

As part of the project, six electronic interlockings – a technology that ensures safe train movements by preventing conflicted routes – were upgraded at key stations: Rákosliget, Pécel, Isaszeg, Gödöllő, Babatpuszta and Aszód. In addition, to ensure safe and efficient train control, Hitachi Rail has implemented the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 on the line. ETCS Level 2 works by using trackside balises, a Radio Block Center (RBC) and the railway specific mobile communication system GSM-R to communicate with the train, continuously monitoring its movement and enforcing speed limits. The technology can enable trains to travel with greater reliability and safety at higher speeds, increasing capacity on the track.

The modernisation project also included the installation of 73 new point machines and the integration of 23 level crossings into the safe signalling system, further enhancing the reliability of the route. For optimised maintenance, asset condition monitoring with AI-based diagnostics features continuously supervise every Hitachi Rail point machine along the line. The railway operator receives precise information about point machine behaviour and potentially emerging faults, such as the need for any maintenance action or the presence of any material obstructing the mechanism. With this set of comprehensive insights, faults can be discovered before the cause any disturbance in the traffic, enabling predictive maintenance.

Launched in 2017, this flagship project marked a major milestone in Hungary's railway network upgrade. By 2021, the electrification and modernisation of the signalling infrastructure were successfully completed. In 2024, the ETCS Level 2 system was commissioned on the line, enabling safe and efficient rail traffic at speeds of up to 160 km/h.

The project, has delivered major improvements to rail services along a route that is heavily used by both commuters and freight traffic. Passengers now benefit from shorter travel times, while freight operations can proceed without restrictions. This modernisation not only enhances the efficiency of passenger and freight services but also strengthens Hungary’s position as a leader in railway innovation and sustainable transport solutions.

Commenting on the delivery of the project, Hannes Boyer, VP Main Line Signalling at Hitachi Rail, said: “The completion of this project to upgrade the digital signalling and interlocking between Budapest and Hatvan underlines Hungary’s growing leadership in railway innovation. Our cutting-edge solutions will help increase speed, reliability and capacity on the line, helping to deliver more seamless, sustainable transport for passengers and freight.”

ENDS

For more information from Hitachi Rail, please contact:

Ruth Boyer, Head of Marketing & Communications, on ruth.boyer@urbanandmainlines.com or on +43 664 1819385