Rail transport has a key role to play in the transition towards more sustainable mobility.

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, fossil fuel dependency and congestion, Europe will need to shift more passengers and goods from road and air to rail. But this modal shift cannot rely only on good intentions. It requires a railway system able to offer more capacity, better reliability, smoother operations and a higher quality of service.

This is where technology matters.

Voie Libre explores the technical systems that can help railways become more efficient, more interoperable and more automated. The blog focuses on railway automation, ERTMS/ETCS, ERTMS/ATO, system architecture, digital signalling and the migration challenges of the European railway network.

The objective is not to comment on rail transport in general, but to understand how complex railway systems can evolve.

How can ERTMS support a more interoperable European railway area?
How can automatic train operation increase capacity and reduce operational variability?
How can existing signalling systems be migrated towards more automated operations?
How can system architecture help connect infrastructure, rolling stock, traffic management and safety?

These are the questions explored on Voie Libre.

The name “Voie Libre” is a French signalling aspect meaning that the train is allowed to proceed. It is also the purpose of this blog: to open a path towards a more capable, more digital and more attractive railway system.

Voie Libre is written by Bastian Simoni, a railway system architect working on train control, automation and European railway innovation programmes.