Hitachi Rail Consortium commissions first ARGOS Digital Interlocking System with SNCF Réseau in France

• Following almost 5 years in research and development, Hitachi Rail’s new digital interlocking solution, designed for SNCF Réseau, has begun operating on the French rail network
• This first successful commissioning, delivered by the Hitachi Rail led HR/EQUANS/SNIC consortium, marks a key step in the roll out of the ARGOS digital interlocking project
• ARGOS programme will see the renewal and digitalisation of signalling interlockings across France.

Hitachi Rail, the leader of the HR/EQUANS/SNIC consortium, has achieved the commissioning of the first ARGOS Interlocking system on the SNCF Réseau rail network, this week. The commissioning - on the pilot site at Chasse sur Rhône (South-East France) - represents the culmination of work that began in September 2020 when the consortium was awarded first place in the ARGOS program. The solution developed by Hitachi Rail features major innovations that place the product at the forefront of world digital signalling solutions.

Digital interlocking controls the movements of trains ensuring they only enter free track sections. The system has advantages over traditional interlocking technologies, reducing the need for physical connections, enabling remote control, and improving safety and efficiency.

The ARGOS program: modernization and digitalization of Interlocking

In 2018 SNCF Réseau launched the ARGOS program to renew and modernize interlocking solutions for the French national rail network, developing new Digital Interlocking that will enable safer, more advanced, more efficient and more reliable operations. By managing vital information centrally, in real time and with decentralized field controllers, Hitachi Rail’s newly developed solution will ensure smooth traffic operation while reducing overall life cycle cost.

A cutting-edge innovation

The Hitachi Rail Consortium Solution is an innovative, fully digital, highly reliable system that aligns with SNCF Réseau's needs for safety, performance, cost reduction and fast implementation. The solution's decentralized architecture, with object controllers positioned as close as possible to trackside equipment, provides high modularity, reduces cable cost, connection and relays, reduces civil work, ensures equipment standardization, lower stock requirements, and finally reduced obsolescence management costs.

This approach helps optimize deployment cost and time, achieving SNCF Réseau's goal of a 15% reduction in total ownership costs and 30% reduction in the deployment schedule. Additionally, the new system guarantees significant improvements in overall performance, as well as advances in cybersecurity, maintenance, and operations.

Christophe Jeanney, GTS Country Director of Hitachi Rail in France said: “Our collaboration with SNCF Réseau has enabled us to pioneer a new generation of Digital Interlocking. This step further strengthens our long-standing and trusted partnership with SNCF Réseau, with which we are supporting the digital transformation of the SNCF Réseau network.”

Pascal Gessat, President of Equans France said: “INEO SCLE FERROVIAIRE, a company of Equans Transport Systems, has developed a long partnership with Hitachi Rail. Playing a key role in the deployment of the interlocking systems, we are proud to have successfully met this challenge alongside our partners for the commissioning of the first ARGOS stations”.

Xavier Payet, General Director of SNIC SIGNALISATION concludes: “SNIC is proud to support the successful commissioning of the first ARGOS Digital Interlocking System, marking a new milestone in our long-standing partnership with Hitachi Rail and our enduring commitment to SNCF Réseau. For over three decades, SNIC has been delivering its expertise in computerized interlocking systems and continues to contribute to the modernization of railway signalling through innovation, reliability, and operational excellence.”