ERTMS Trackbot in the spotlight

Date

21 April 2026

Expertise

On 15 April, Dutch State Secretary Annet Bertram (Public Transport and the Environment) visited the town of Franeker in the province of Fryslân for a working visit to the ERTMS Northern Lines project on the Leeuwarden – Harlingen Harbour railway line, including a demonstration of the ERTMS Trackbot. During that week, the ERTMS Trackbot, together with the Reality Model, was deployed for the first time in a real-life project. This first week of deployment has been successfully completed, and work will continue at the beginning of July.

The development of the ERTMS Trackbot and the Reality Model started around six years ago and is the result of many years of close collaboration with Railway Manager ProRail within the ASAP ERTMS programme. A key factor in the development was the strong partnership with AMT Group Breda, No Man Trackwork and the European innovation initiative Europe’s Rail. At various stages, we also worked together with suppliers such as Alstom and Hitachi, as well as engineering consultancies including Arcadis.

First section of track

The Leeuwarden – Harlingen Haven line is the first section of track where the latest generation of ERTMS is being rolled out, tested and commissioned. The experience gained here will form the basis for further deployment, such as on the second test section in Zeeland and the other Northern Lines in the provinces of Fryslân and Groningen, followed by the rest of the Netherlands. At present, cables are being installed and balises are being placed in the track between Leeuwarden and Harlingen Harbour for this new system, which will ultimately communicate wirelessly with trains.

ERTMS Trackbot

The rollout of ERTMS is a complex task and requires smart solutions. One of those solutions is the ERTMS Trackbot. This robot automatically installs balises (beacons for wireless communication) in the railway track.

“It is great to see innovations such as the Reality Model and the ERTMS Trackbot becoming reality, and that ProRail and the ERTMS programme management are incorporating these innovations into their future plans, so that they truly add value in practice.” Ben van Schijndel, ERTMS/ETCS programme manager at Strukton

Click here for further information about the ERTMS Trackbot innovation.

Passion

“Ultimately, I see the deployment of the ERTMS Trackbot above all as the result of a number of passionate people within different organisations who dare to go the extra mile – not only when things are going well, but also when challenges arise.” Corné van de Kraats, Development Engineer at Strukton Rail Nederland

ERTMS

The European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) is the new standard for rail safety across Europe. While infrastructure managers and operators are rolling out this advanced system, replacing existing—often outdated—technology can be complex, time‑consuming, and disruptive. Strukton Rail provides the experience, independence, and innovative power needed to make this transition faster, safer, and more efficient.

Want to know more?

Ben van Schijndel

Ben will be happy to tell you all about ERTMS

Strukton Rail

ben.vanschijndel@strukton.com

+31 (0)6 53 31 50 53

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to frequently asked questions here.

What is the innovative ERTMS Trackbot used in digital rail modernisation?

The ERTMS Trackbot is Strukton’s robotic solution designed to mount balises and axle counters efficiently and safely on sleepers and rails—components essential for ETCS operation. With tens of thousands of balises and over twenty thousand axle counters required for ERTMS rollout in the Netherlands alone, the Trackbot automates this repetitive, physically demanding work and helps speed up deployment.

What is train protection?

Train protection refers to the systems and processes that ensure trains operate safely. The systems detect train locations, manage movement authorities and intervene automatically—typically by applying the brakes—if a train exceeds safe speed limits or passes a signal at danger. Train protection therefore prevents collisions, derailments and other hazardous situations.

Which train protection systems are used in the Netherlands?

The Netherlands primarily uses Automatische Treinbeïnvloeding (ATB), a national automatic train control system developed to enforce speed limits and intervene when drivers fail to respond to signals. ATB monitors speed and automatically applies the brakes when required. The Netherlands is also transitioning to ERTMS, Europe’s digital signalling and train control standard that will gradually replace older systems to improve safety, capacity and interoperability.

What experience does Strukton have with ERTMS?

Strukton has extensive expertise in designing, installing and integrating ERTMS on major European corridors. Our experience includes deployments on the Betuweroute and the Amsterdam–Utrecht line, as well as a large‑scale ERTMS programme in Denmark. We are also rolling out ERTMS in the Dutch province of Friesland and on the Rotterdam–Belgian border route. Our in‑house innovations help accelerate implementation and support Europe’s transition to a fully interoperable rail network.

What is ERTMS?

The European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) is Europe’s standardised digital signalling and automatic train protection system. It uses ETCS cab signalling to provide real‑time speed and movement information directly to the driver, supported by GSM‑R radio communication. ERTMS increases rail capacity, enhances safety and enables seamless cross‑border operations, making it central to the modernisation of Europe’s railway network