Adif has kicked off testing for its innovation project aimed at developing a new deployment of the European ERTMS Regional system, a lower-cost version designed for lightly used railway lines.
As previously reported in October 2022, these trials are taking place on the metre-gauge section between La Asunción Universidad (León) and Guardo, using diesel unit 526-024 (formerly Feve 2624).
One of the main innovations lies in the integration of satellite positioning and the use of public telecoms networks within the ERTMS Level 2 framework, which will help reduce trackside equipment without compromising safety.
In parallel, Level 1 trials are also under way to test new operational scenarios such as level crossing management.
The testing programme will run throughout the first half of 2026 in several phases, starting with Level 1 and moving on to Level 2.
The project, aligned with the European Commission’s roadmap and based on GNSS technology, harnesses Galileo and EGNOS systems to cut down the number of physical balises and maintenance costs, enabling the use of the interoperable European system with minimal investment.