The Rail ITS in the Nordics webinar brought together experts, innovators, and stakeholders from across the Nordic region to explore the digital transformation of rail transport through Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).
Digital rail initiatives is currently underway in the Nordic region. This session highlights the latest advancements, strategic initiatives, and future visions shaping rail infrastructure across the Nordic region. Join us as we explore how digital technologies are transforming operations, enhancing safety, and paving the way for a smarter, more sustainable rail network.
The session focused on:
- Latest advancements in rail ITS technologies
- Strategic initiatives driving digitalization in rail infrastructure
- Collaborative visions for a smarter, more connected Nordic rail network
Participants gained insights into how ITS is shaping the future of rail mobility, enhancing safety, efficiency, and sustainability across borders.
Anssi Krooks, Director, Mobility & Logistics, Solita – Overview of what’s happening at Rail ITS in business
Pål Midtlien Danielsen, Leader Innovation at Norwegian Rail Directorate – Europes’ Rail and possibilities
Esa Sirkiä, Director at Väylävirasto – Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency – Overview of what’s happening in Finland at Rail
Harri Aro, Business Development Coordinator, Rail Baltic Estonia – Overview of what’s happening with Rail Baltica
Kjell Holter, Head of ERTMS Technical Management, Bane NOR – Digital Rail – Possibilities of the future
Markus Melander, Entrepreneur, Co-founder, Relesoft Oy – Are the open standards opening doors for competition in railways?
Ann Kristin Bjerknes, Senior Advisor Innovation at Norwegian Railway Directorate – Arctic Test Arena – Ofotbanen and Malmbanan
Thank You!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined the webinar and contributed to the lively discussions. Your engagement helps drive innovation and collaboration in the Nordic ITS community.
Stay tuned for more events and updates from ITS Nordic+ as we continue to shape the future of mobility together.
| Program | Description |
| Welcome & Intros | Quick intro from Nordic+ |
| Anssi Krooks, Director, Mobility & Logistics, Solita | Overview of what’s happening at Rail ITS in business. |
| Pål Midtlien Danielsen, Leader Innovation at Norwegian Rail Directorate | Europes’ Rail and possibilities |
| Esa Sirkiä, Director at Väylävirasto – Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency | Overview of what’s happening in Finland at Rail |
| Kjell Holter, Head of ERTMS Technical Management, Bane NOR | Digital Rail – Possibilities of the future |
| Harri Aro, Business Development Coordinator, Rail Baltic Estonia | Overview of what’s happening with Rail Baltica |
| Markus Melander, Entrepreneur, Co-founder, Relesoft Oy | Are the open standards opening doors for competition in railways? |
| Ann Kristin Bjerknes, Senior Advisor Innovation at Norwegian Railway Directorate | Arctic Test Arena – Ofotbanen and Malmbanan |
| Q&A + Next Steps | Up coming advisory, and events |
The Rail ITS in the Nordics webinar recording
Chat
Markus Melander
Harri, Will it be dual track whole way?, (Sorry if you mentioned)
Hey! The Dual track will be compleated on phase 2. On Phase 1 we will have 1 track with options on the regional stops to give way for faster trains
Pipsa Hallner
Harri, will you start with GSM-R or go directly to FRMCS?
The plan is to initially have a pre-frmcs as far as I know. Still under discussion though.
Tom WARRAS
Harri, very interesting presentation! The construction periods for the sections seems very long, several years up to 5 years for Pärnu eg. What are the reasons for this?
Pärnu construction takes longer, since the initial design was pushed back because it went through some Nautra areas and we needed to start the design from the beginning in the Pärnu strip.
Markus Melander
Harri, I would like to learn what is your approach towards open standard of EULYNX in trackside signalling? EULYNX is relatively new and haven´t heard before are you going towards open interfaces and modular signalling strategy?
Not sure about that, put I will find out.
Kjell, Are you confident we are taking steps towards interoperability between Fin, Swe and Fin? This is really important questions as we all know that some security related issues are accelerating cross border needs from Norway to Finland…
Markus, yes I belive we are heading towards interoperability. But it needs close cooperation. We are today interoperable with Sweden (Ebicab 700), so yes interoperability with our neighbour should be feasible.
Bane NOR put 3 Billion Euro “on the table” to put EULYNX in focus with our contracts back in 2016-2018. No supplier were especially interested, until Siemens gave in and said “yes we can deliver”.
To reduce the signalling costs Europe need to increase the standardisation of systems and functions throughout. This is what is hampering us.
Eg. no point machine connects to the rails the same way. No axle counters connects to the rails the same way.
Thank you all for these very useful presentations! Our website, New In Signal, aims to promote news from the railway signalling and telecom world. We already had an interesting article about development in Norway written by Kjell. If you are interested in publishing an article about your country/product for free, please contact us at: ivan.ristic@signalling-solutions.com
Holter Kjell
Bane NOR put 3 Billion Euro “on the table” to put EULYNX in focus with our contracts back in 2016-2018. No supplier were especially interested, until Siemens gave in and said “yes we can deliver”.
Yes, As we have discussed you were indeed a bit early considering EULYNX.
Why new TMS in Norway:
Bane NOR – Nytt trafikkstyringssystem – Traffic Management System (TMS) – YouTube
Bane NOR – Nytt trafikkstyrin…
3,5K views · 7 years ago
ITS Nordic+ would like to thank everyone who participated in the webinar and, above all, our speakers.
thanks to all for the great presentations -Pls can u circulate the material and ppt? thanks
This was good, the short time forced to focus to main message! Well done organiser!!
Thanks for the interesting presentations.
Greetings from Northrine-Westfalia
Ann Kristin, Might be a challenge persuade for desert areas or very hot environment since you will not get these large temperature variations on the “pluss” side .
Thank you for your presentation
