Dammam - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; the first ETCS Level 1 line in operation in the MENA area

摘要

The first project involving the implementation and operation of ETCS Level 1 in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) started in June 2009 and the line capacity was doubled in February 2017. The 449 km line reserved for passenger services has been equipped with the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 1 and marks the first-ever use of this technology in the Arab world. It is a major contribution to the safe and punctual operability of the railway infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. The finalisation of the ETCS Level 1 project for the Saudi Railway Organisation (SRO) has contributed to consistent growth in freight and passenger volumes. This article describes the implementation process of this first ETCS Level 1 project, as well as the characteristics of the project realisation in Saudi Arabia.