Siemens Mobility has secured a contract from EFE Trenes de Chile, the national railway operator, to implement the European Train Control System Level 2 (ETCS L2) in Chile. This marks the first deployment of ETCS L2 technology in the country and introduces Siemens Mobility’s Signaling X platform to Latin America.
The project will see advanced signaling systems installed across 87 kilometers on two key rail lines: Tren Alameda-Melipilla (61 km) and Tren Santiago-Batuco (26 km). Siemens Mobility is responsible for engineering, supplying, installing, and commissioning these systems over five years. The agreement also includes ten years of comprehensive maintenance.
"We are honored to lead this pivotal project in Latin America, bringing our cutting-edge Signaling X technology to the region for the first time and setting new standards for railway operations and efficiency. Siemens Mobility’s expertise and advanced solutions pave the way for future digitalization efforts, enabling sustainable and high-performing railway operations," said Marc Ludwig, CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility. "We appreciate EFE for their confidence in our role as a market leader in rail and signaling technologies, and for recognizing our proven expertise and technological capabilities.”
The Signaling X platform is designed for Safety Integrity Level 4 (SIL4) applications. It integrates interlockings, signaling, and control systems into a centralized data center using commercial-off-the-shelf hardware. This approach aims to simplify infrastructure management while improving operational efficiency and system maintenance.
The ETCS Level 2 system enables continuous communication between trains and trackside equipment through 4G-LTE technology with provisions for future upgrades to 5G. The infrastructure will support onboard systems for 32 trains along with traffic control centers and wayside equipment. The implementation is expected to reduce the number of required interlocking systems, streamline maintenance processes, and facilitate future network expansions.
A ten-year service agreement covers digital services, asset management, and preventive, corrective, as well as predictive maintenance strategies. Siemens Mobility also plans to establish a regional software maintenance Center of Competence as part of this contract to support future projects throughout Latin America.
This initiative follows Siemens Mobility’s recent success with another major ETCS Level 2 project in São Paulo, Brazil. The company has previously contributed to rail modernization across several countries in Latin America by delivering electrification, automation, and digitalization projects.
The Melipilla and Batuco rail projects are part of EFE’s broader strategy to use ETCS Level 2 technology as a standard for future expansions within Chile’s railway network.