Modern infrastructure – the fast and smooth transport of people and goods – is a key location factor in global competition. In the common European market, proprietary and national train control systems make cross-border traffic more difficult in the long term. This is a hurdle for railways and the economy that has existed for decades.

The major project ETCS Corridor Rhine-Alpine of Digital Rail Germany is part of the DB “Starke Schiene” umbrella strategy for uniform and digitally controlled train traffic in Europe. For example, with the introduction of the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 and Digital Interlocking in the highly frequented and cross-border route between Oberhausen-Sterkrade in the Lower Rhine to the Swiss border (Weil am Rhein). However, a strong, safe and interoperable European rail network does not exist for free. The condition for success is strict compliance with all European regulations and standards necessary to harmonize the network. New processes, workflows and rules that will be crucial for the success of a project like the ETCS Rhine-Alpine corridor in the future. In addition to the multi-stage EG conformity test for commissioning in the area of ​​safety, a European standard-compliant safety management system for large-scale projects was developed and established. The process developed in collaboration with NEXTRAIL was positively assessed by the AsBo / NoBo and will be used in all further commissioning sections of the Rhine-Alpine corridor.