RATP awards Paris Metro signalling contract for driverless operation

Siemens has received a €70 million order from RATP (Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens) to equip Line 4 of the Paris Metro with signalling and operation control systems for automatic service.

Siemens will equip 27 stations of Paris Metro Line 4 with signalling and operation control systems for automatic driverless services. Once complete, the installation could increase capacity of the line by up to 20 percent allowing trains to run at shorter headways.

Order will reduce energy consumption on Paris Metro Line 4 by up to 15 percent

Commenting on the order Jochen Eickholt, CEO of Siemens Mobility, said: “Siemens has equipped about 300 route km worldwide with signalling technology for fully automatic operation, making it the market leader in this field. Automatic operation will enable Line 4 to offer a service interval of 85 seconds. At the same time, the automatic control will allow to reduce energy consumption by up to 15 percent.”

“Automatic operation will enable Line 4 to offer a service interval of 85 seconds”

To upgrade the twelve kilometres of Line 4, Siemens will supply the Trainguard MT automatic train control system that uses communications-based technology to achieve fully automatic, driverless operation. All train movements will be supervised via the operation control centre, which will also be supplied by Siemens. Special doors at the platforms will ensure additional safety at all 27 metro stations. With around 700,000 passengers a day, Line 4 of the Paris Metro is one of the most frequented sections of the whole Paris mass transit network. It is also the most important north-south metro link in the city, connecting the stations of Porte de Clignancourt in the north of the city and future station Bagneux in the south. On its way through France’s capital it stops at three major long-distance railway stations and is also the only line with transfer terminals to all 16 other mass transit lines.

The €70 million signalling order is scheduled for completion in 2022. In addition to work carried on Line 4, Siemens has also equipped Metro Lines 14 and 1 for driverless operation.