First automated driving tests successful by CAF signalling in NL

CAF Signalling has successfully tested its own ATO (Automatic Train Operation) over ETCS (GoA2) in SNG trains from CAF, together with the Dutch operator NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen). It is a very important milestone as it is the first time ATO over ETCS is tested in passenger trains running on high density lines.

Due to the high occupancy of Dutch rail lines and as part of the analysis that NS is doing to optimize their operation, NS asked CAF Signalling to experiment with this new technology and understand the benefits they can obtain.

A pilot test was carried out (without passengers) during the night of 10th December where an SNG train drove automatically from Swifterbant to Kampen Zuid, in Hanzelijn, stopping automatically and at scheduled time in Dronten station, where some people of the NS management board, CAF Signalling and Dutch media was present.

These tests (defined also in the frame of Shift2Rail) are part of a test campaign that will allow NS to test different functionalities of the ATO over ETCS during the next months.

About CAF

CAF are a multinational group with over 100 years of experience in the supply of comprehensive transit solutions positioned at the forefront of technology for high value added sustainable mobility. The company is a leader of the railway industry offering one of the most comprehensive and flexible arrays of products in railway related markets, such as rolling stock, components, infrastructure, signalling and services (maintenance, refurbishing and financial services).