Strategic advisory, test programme management, and design thinking for ERTMS transitions, implementations, and national rollout programmes. Covering Level 1, Level 2, Dual Signalling, and human factors.
Efios Rail provides ERTMS advisory and test programme management for governments, infrastructure managers and train operators — spanning national rollout strategy, European tender design and evaluation, multi-year test programmes, human factors and simulation, and design thinking for operational problems that specification alone does not solve. The work covers ERTMS Level 1, Level 2 and dual signalling, on programmes including HSL-Zuid, Amsterdam–Utrecht, the Hanzelijn and Eurostar International, and Efios Rail has been part of the V&V team for the Dutch national ERTMS rollout since 2020.
ERTMS is a complex, high-impact, and costly programme with long timescales, many stakeholders, and significant regulatory and operational implications. Efios Rail has been involved in ERTMS programmes in the Netherlands since the early phases — working across test management, strategic advisory, design thinking, and novel technology assessment.
Our ERTMS work spans the full spectrum: from supporting governments in strategic decision-making and European tender design, to managing years-long test programmes on behalf of infrastructure managers and train operators, to conducting human-factors simulation experiments that inform design choices before deployment.
ERTMS programmes involve infrastructure managers, train operators, signalling suppliers, national safety authorities, and the European Railway Agency. Efios Rail has worked across all of these stakeholder groups and understands how to navigate their different interests and priorities.
ERTMS transitions are long-horizon decisions with significant financial, operational, and regulatory consequences. Efios Rail supports governments, infrastructure managers, and train operators in making well-informed strategic choices.
Efios Rail supported the Dutch Ministry of Public Works and the ERTMS Programme in requirements specification, stakeholder analysis, and the design and evaluation of the European tender for the ERTMS Academy assets.
Efios Rail has managed multi-year ERTMS testing programmes on behalf of infrastructure managers, operators, and the Ministry of Public Works — covering infrastructure compatibility, operational readiness, and rolling stock admission.
Efios Rail is currently part of the ERTMS V&V team for the national ERTMS rollout programme in the Netherlands (2020–present), working with ProRail, train operating companies, and other stakeholders to develop, plan, and execute the complex V&V programme — including simulation-based and in situ testing — across multiple lines and rolling stock types.
| Line / Programme | Level | Rolling Stock |
|---|---|---|
| ERTMS NL Rollout ongoing | L2 | Multiple fleet types |
| HSL-Zuid | L1 + L2 | V250, BR186, Thalys, ICE3 |
| Amsterdam–Utrecht | L2 Dual | SLT, BR186, ICE3 |
| Hanzelijn | L2 Dual | BR186, BR189 |
| Eurostar International | L2 | Eurostar Class 374 |
Testing objectives included: infrastructure compatibility, operational readiness and performance, rolling stock and infrastructure admission. The ongoing NL rollout V&V programme additionally covers simulation-based pre-validation and structured in situ testing across conventional lines.
Not all ERTMS challenges are solved by technical specification alone. Design thinking enables creative, user-centred approaches to operational problems — particularly where current standards leave gaps.
A specific example: ERTMS Level 2 shunting (SH mode) presents operational challenges for train drivers — the DMI cannot be seen during propelled operations, and the train may pass the End of Authority (EoA) before the onboard equipment registers it. Efios Rail applied design thinking to create, prototype, and evaluate shunting indicator options for ProRail.
The transition from legacy systems to ERTMS has a significant human impact on train drivers and operators. Simulation and human-in-the-loop experiments provide early signals of expected workload, safety implications, and feedback for design decisions — before deployment in live service.
Beyond standard ERTMS implementations, Efios Rail has led proof-of-concept projects exploring advanced technologies for the railway sector.
Managed a proof-of-concept project for novel technologies including third-generation Doppler Radar and LiDar optical speed acquisition to improve the reliability of NS fleet equipped with ERTMS. Installations were mounted on a TRAXX locomotive for data generation and analysis by NS and relevant suppliers.
Led an extensive study into the feasibility and business case for a dedicated test track in the Netherlands — capable of supporting proof-of-concept testing for new technologies (LiDar, sensing), as well as static and dynamic testing of vehicles and infrastructure (ERTMS, 3kV, ATO).
Initiated and managed projects for cold movement detection and the application of acceleration sensors in the ERTMS context — exploring their potential as additional safety inputs for ERTMS-equipped rolling stock.
Efios Rail was appointed to project manage and take responsibility for the specification, design, procurement, and operation of the ERTMS test track facility in Amersfoort — part of ProRail's innovation infrastructure portfolio.
The facility was redesigned from a decommissioned track to a state-of-the-art test environment, equipped with modern track, catenary, and sensing equipment as well as contemporary ERTMS infrastructure and ICT systems. It enables railway sector users to conduct testing, operational trials, proof-of-concept projects, and product innovation in a controlled environment.
| Line | Type |
|---|---|
| HSL-Zuid | ERTMS L1 + L2 |
| Amsterdam–Utrecht | L2 Dual Signalling |
| Hanzelijn | L2 Dual Signalling |
| Test Track Amersfoort | L2, ATO, 3kV |
Typically at transitions and decision points: preparing a national rollout strategy, assessing the technical and business case, designing or evaluating a European tender, planning a Level 1 or Level 2 implementation, running a dual-signalling pilot, or assessing human factors and driver workload before a design is committed. ERTMS is a long-horizon programme with significant financial, operational and regulatory consequences, so the value of advice is highest early.
Level 1, Level 2 and dual signalling. Programmes include the ongoing ERTMS NL rollout (Level 2, multiple fleet types), HSL-Zuid (Level 1 and Level 2, with V250, BR186, Thalys and ICE3), Amsterdam–Utrecht (Level 2 dual, with SLT, BR186 and ICE3), the Hanzelijn (Level 2 dual, BR186 and BR189) and Eurostar International (Level 2, Class 374). Testing objectives across these covered infrastructure compatibility, operational readiness and performance, and rolling stock and infrastructure admission.
Because of what the driver can and cannot see. During propelled operations the DMI cannot be seen, and the train may pass the End of Authority (EoA) before the onboard equipment registers it. This is an operational problem that technical specification alone does not resolve, which is why Efios Rail applied design thinking to create, prototype and evaluate shunting indicator options for ProRail.
ERTMS programmes involve infrastructure managers, train operators, signalling suppliers, national safety authorities and the European Railway Agency, each with different interests and priorities. Efios Rail has worked across all of these stakeholder groups, which is what makes a neutral, cross-stakeholder perspective possible rather than merely claimed.
Whether you are planning an ERTMS transition, managing a complex test programme, or researching operational design options, Efios Rail can help.