Railway safety is the backbone of a reliable and secure rail network. It ensures that trains run at the right time, at the right speed, and at a safe distance from each other. This is essential for both passenger comfort and freight transport. Modern train protection systems combine mechanical, electrical and digital technologies to guarantee continuous safety, even under heavy rail traffic.
At Strukton, we have decades of experience in every aspect of train protection – from classic relay installations to the latest digital systems. We understand the complexity of existing infrastructure and know how to maintain, upgrade and integrate it safely with modern technology. Our specialists work with all major systems and suppliers, enabling us to deliver tailored solutions for every situation.
We have extensive experience installing the European protection system ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System), including ETCS (European Train Control System). This combination is unique. We work with all manufacturers and suppliers to ensure an optimally safe system.
With ERTMS, trains can run faster and more frequently. For example, we installed ERTMS on the Utrecht–Amsterdam route in the Netherlands, enabling NS to operate a train every ten minutes. We also equipped the Betuweroute with ERTMS. Together with Thales, we are installing ERTMS on the rail network in Jutland, Denmark. There, trains can run at higher maximum speeds, allowing passengers to reach their destination faster and safely.
Who still has expertise in the mechanical equipment installed after the Second World War that is still in operation today? We do – and we have the skilled personnel to maintain these legacy systems. We can also gradually replace these older safety systems with today’s modern computer-controlled technology. We adapt the entire rail infrastructure to accommodate this transition, ensuring that train frequency can safely increase. And during the conversion, we make sure trains keep running. With our knowledge, we keep the railway up to date for the long term.
The ERTMS train protection system – short for European Rail Traffic Management System – is the European standard for railway safety. Infrastructure managers and railway operators are working hard to implement this new system. However, replacing existing, often outdated protection systems can be complex and time-consuming.
Ben will be happy to tell you all about ERTMS
Strukton Rail
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
