Saint Ouen Cedex, France – ALSTOM Transport announced that the company has signed a contract worth € 50 million with Réseau Ferré de France (RFF) for the supply of new-generation computerized interlocking machines (PAI-NG) for major train stations, in line with the RFF’s policy to upgrade French national railway network facilities.

The most recent solutions in the range of computerized automatic interlocking systems called SMARTLOCK 400 will be used, to fulfill RFF’s objectives. ALSTOM Transport has particularly focused on performance and safety requirements, ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) compatibility and installation lifecycle cost.

The architecture includes a single, highly available safety control unit. This last-generation unit is capable of managing a very big railway station. Standardized input/output interface modules are provided, for interfaces with railway peripherals (signals, switches, etc.), so as to ensure flexible adaptation on all types of field configurations.

With this contract, ALSTOM Transport confirms its position as a major player in the deployment of the large, computerized interlocking machines for the national railway network. The company has already provided 10 computing units for major French railway stations in cities such as Melun, Metz, Strasbourg, Nancy as well as other stations along the Eastern Europe high-speed line.

Philippe MELLIER, President of ALSTOM Transport, commented:
"We are very please, with this contrac, to see that RFF have decided to rely on us again. We shall make every effort to allow them to benefit from our extensive experience and skills in the sphere of interlocking systems and infrastructure. We are convinced that this contract will reinforce co-operation with the company responsible for the French railway network and will allow us to take up the challenges linked to its development in a true spirit of partnership."»

ALSTOM Transport
With more than 35 product lines and a presence in more than 60 countries, ALSTOM’s Transport sector offers complete products and services for new rolling stock, signaling, and electrical and mechanical infrastructure as well as maintenance and rehabilitation services to four distinct types of customers: urban transit authorities and operators; intercity passenger rail operators and rolling stock owners; rail freight operators; and intercity railway infrastructure owners. ALSTOM’s Transport sector, with sales of 5.1 billion euros in financial year 2004-2005, is among the world’s leading suppliers to the railway industry.