Development of innovative ERTMS Trackbot

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.

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.

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.

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.

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