The consortium led by Hitachi Rail, along with EQUANS and SNIC, has commissioned the first digital ARGOS interlocking on the SNCF Réseau network, marking a milestone in developing this project and modernising the French railway.
The installation, at the Chasse-sur-Rhône pilot station in south-eastern France, culminates five years of research and development since the consortium was selected in 2020 to lead the ARGOS programme.
This is a modern digital interlocking system that replaces traditional technologies. It electronically controls train movements, offering increased safety, efficiency, and reduced operating costs.
Its decentralised architecture, with controllers close to the track equipment, minimises wiring and civil works, and facilitates standardisation and maintenance.
Launched in 2018, the ARGOS programme aims to renew and digitise interlockings across France, reducing the total cost of ownership by 15% and shortening deployment times by 30%. The solution also improves cybersecurity and reliability, consolidating the French network among the most advanced in the world.
