Rail supplier news from Hitachi Rail and OTIV

Hitachi Rail has signed an agreement with Swiss Federal Railways SBB to implement Hitachi's advanced digital signaling technology across the Swiss rail network. A contract value was not disclosed in Hitachi Rail's press release. The agreement is part of a larger, 1.5 billion euros project SBB is undertaking that will replace 80% of its existing interlocking system with Hitachi Rail's latest generation of digital interlocking and radio block centers. Using smart object controllers, the technology will mesh with EULYNX, a European signaling standardization initiative, Hitachi Rail officials said. The framework contract covers an initial 10-year period, with three options for an additional five years each. The contract also includes 25 years of maintenance and support for the supplier systems.

OTIV, a Belgium-based technology startup, has received an investment of 9 million euros from Miles Ahead, SHIFT Invest and Finindus. The investment will accelerate OTIV's mission to expand AI-driven trains in the United States and shift traffic from road to rail, OTIV officials said in a press release. OTIV offers a three-step solution to convert freight- and passenger-rail operations from assisted driving to teleoperation and fully autonomous operation with existing U.S. customers. By automating trains, the startup aims increase sustainability, productivity, reliability and safety across the rail industry, OTIV officials said.