Hitachi Rail has been selected by Portugal’s railway infrastructure manager, Infraestruturas de Portugal, to develop and certify a new STM module (ETCS-specific transmission module) for the Portuguese market, following an international public tender.
The solution is intended to support the gradual transition of the Portuguese network from the national automatic train protection system CONVEL to the European ETCS Level 2 system, in accordance with the national roadmap for the implementation of ERTMS.
According to the company, the new Specific Transmission Module (STM) will be the second of its kind developed for the Portuguese railway system and will help strengthen interoperability at a time when Portugal is preparing to migrate to the European standard for signaling and train control.
A module for the transition from CONVEL to ETCS
During the transition period, trains will run with ETCS and STM on board, so that operations can continue even on lines that are not yet fully interoperable. The idea is for the new module to bridge the gap between ETCS and the Portuguese Class B system, CONVEL, as the implementation of ETCS Level 2 progresses across the national network.
The solution will be developed as an external module, and Hitachi Rail says it will be made available to the market under fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms, in accordance with the applicable European framework.
Portugal aims to reduce reliance on a single supplier
One of the key objectives of the project is to diversify the supply chain. According to Hitachi Rail, the development and certification of the new STM is expected to reduce dependence on a single technology supplier and support a more competitive and resilient market for railway operators, maintenance companies, and future rolling stock programs.
In other words, Portugal is seeking to avoid dependence on a single technological solution at a critical stage in the modernization of its rail system.
Project developed in Portugal, Sweden, and Italy
Hitachi Rail says the new module will be developed through collaboration between its teams in Portugal, Sweden, and Italy, combining local experience with the Portuguese network with the company’s European expertise in digital signaling and on-board train control systems.
The company also notes that it is involved in large-scale ERTMS programs across Europe, including in Italy, as well as in projects related to ETCS and STM in Sweden.
Hitachi: major project for the modernization of the Portuguese railway
“This contract represents an important step for the modernization of the Portuguese railway.
By developing a second STM for the national network, we are helping to create a more resilient and competitive technological foundation for the sector, while supporting Infraestruturas de Portugal in achieving an efficient and future-ready transition to ERTMS,” said Joaquim Santos, director of Hitachi Rail Portugal.
He added that, for passengers, operators, and the general public, the benefit should be “a stronger rail system with greater interoperability, improved long-term sustainability, and one that is ready for the next generation of rail services.”
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