Hitachi is all set to deliver advanced signalling systems for Turkey’s Kapikule station. It is well to be noted that Hitachi Rail has been awarded a new contract by KOLİN İNŞAAT TURİZM SANAYİ VE TİCARET A.Ş. for the design, supply as well as supervision of the installation of the core signalling systems for the station, which happens to be Turkey‘s final rail gateway to Europe. The scope happens to include interlocking – IXL, train detection – track circuits, centralized traffic control – CTC, and ETCS level 1 digital signal systems, which are designed for train operation at speeds of almost 200 km/h.
It is worth noting that this strategic contract happens to cover the conventional line section that falls between Edirne West and Kapıkule East, as well as the Kapıkule East to Kapıkule West section.
Apparently, Kapıkule station happens to play a very critical role for both passengers and freight transport and serves as the last Turkish station before the Bulgarian border on the corridor that links Istanbul to Europe. The route happens to be a part of broader modernization plans, which include a new high-speed, double-track line from Istanbul to Edirne, which is at present under construction.
The station is going to be equipped with advanced track circuits, as well as ETCS level 1, thereby ensuring elevated safety along with interoperability with European networks. Moreover, the new interlocking systems are going to be rolled out, in addition to the new functionalities that are going to be deployed, thereby elevating the functional efficiency of this line. Notably, the systems are going to have an interface along with advanced signalling systems within the current facilities.
Hitachi Rail’s participation in this project happens to build upon its proven track record in Turkey, where it has successfully gone on to deliver key signalling as well as control systems at stations of Başkentray, Gaziray, and Eskişehir. In Eskisehir, Hitachi Rail supplied total safety, control, signalling, and telecommunications systems all throughout the station tracks, highlighting its capacity as well as commitment to the Turkish high-speed railway network.
“With this latest contract, Hitachi Rail continues supporting Turkey’s vision of a modern, connected, and secure rail infrastructure integrated with the wider European network.”, comments Barış Balcılar – Hitachi Rail General Manager in Turkey.
The new Kapıkule station construction
At present, the route between Istanbul and the Bulgarian border functions by way of a single track. Conventional railway line. Kapıkule Station happens to sit on this line, taking care of international as well as domestic rail traffic at a very critical junction.
As a part of a wider organization as well as a connectivity endeavor, a new double-track high-speed line, which is designed for speeds of almost 200 km/h, is under construction between Istanbul and Edirne. The second phase when it comes to this project that stretches from Cerkezkoy to Kapikule is at present in the works, where Hitachi happens to be offering the track circuits for that section as well.
The new Kapıkule station construction happens to complement this infrastructure overall and also marks a prominent step in elevating Turkey’s role in being a transport bridge between Europe and Asia.
