Realisation of ERTMS between Kijfhoek and Belgian border

Date

27 November 2024

Expertise

ProRail has awarded the realisation of the future-proof train safety system ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) between Kijfhoek and the Belgian border to the Strukton-BAM Infra Nederland consortium. During the multi-year project, in addition to the implementation of ERTMS, Strukton and BAM will be responsible for the construction of axle counters and the realisation of a future-proof power supply system. Construction work will start at the end of 2025 and will continue until 2028. Prior to commissioning in 2030, tests will take place in 2029 to ensure the highest safety and reliability.

Digital rail platform of the future

ERTMS is the European standard for train safety and traffic management. In the coming years, ProRail will replace the current analogue train protection system ATB with the digital rail platform ERTMS. With ERTMS, trains will run safely and faster in the future, so that more trains can be used. It also makes European train traffic easier.

Long-term preparation

The transition to ERTMS is extensive. It requires adaptation of IT systems and new components are needed that are still under development. In addition, a total of about fifty thousand balises and more than twenty thousand axle counters have to be installed in the train tracks in the Netherlands. In 2019, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management commissioned ProRail to realise the ERTMS programme. ProRail is also responsible for the conversion of the infrastructure. In order to accelerate the roll-out of ERTMS, ProRail has started looking for innovative solutions with the tender for a faster approach of ERTMS (ASAP ERTMS). From that tender, the trackbot (a robot that takes over physically demanding, repetitive assembly work from mechanics) and the Reality tool (digital twin) were developed, among other things.

Robotisation and digitisation help the rail sector to retain specialist craftsmanship in a tight labour market.

“Robotisation and digitisation help the rail sector to retain specialist craftsmanship in a tight labour market. It is our conviction that these technical innovations are the solution to bind our professionals and to captivate the new generation of professionals to work in our sector. It is great news for us and of course our sector that we can now get to work with the solutions that we have been able to develop based on this conviction and with support from the European Union and ProRail. We look forward to doing so in the first major contract in the roll-out of ERTMS.” Tjark de Vries, director of Strukton Rail Netherlands

“The introduction of ERTMS is a huge step forward for the Dutch railways. The innovative trackbot that Strukton has developed for this purpose together with ProRail and partners is of great value in this project. BAM is proud to be able to add its expertise in digitisation and automation of required work processes, which is crucial for a project of this size. The robot takes over the repetitive and physically demanding manual work that has to be done in the track, and BAM attaches great importance to this too. We look forward to being one of the first to be able to bring ERTMS from the drawing board to realisation with this project and thus contribute to making the Dutch railway future-proof.” Michel van den Munckhof, director at BAM Infra Nederland

Kijfhoek – Belgian border route

In the first quarter of 2025, Strukton and BAM, together with ProRail and the Knowledge Alliance, will start the preparatory work and design. The construction work on the more than fifty-kilometre section between Kijfhoek and the Belgian border is expected to start at the end of 2025 and will continue until 2028. To ensure the highest safety and reliability, 2029 will be all about testing. After the commissioning of ERTMS in 2030, Strukton and BAM will start working on the removal of the current analogue train protection system.
Realisation of ERTMS between Kijfhoek and Belgian border

ERTMS

Check further information and Strukton news about ERTMS

ERTMS Trackbot

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