Milestone: First European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 1 Certification Secured!

Iarnród Éireann's Class 22000 trains have successfully been fitted with Alstom's European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 1 signalling and obtained certification, marking a key milestone for Dublin's DART+ Commuter Programme – the core initiative driving the island's railway transformation.

The certification was independently conducted by safety assessment body RINA, confirming the signalling system meets all safety standards and can operate seamlessly on Ireland's rail network. This achievement builds on the trackside installation completed in February: covering 120km between Dundalk and Greystones, it includes over 1,200 markers, 337 signals, and more than 450 lineside electronic units, ranking among Europe's largest ETCS Level 1 projects.

At the system's core is Alstom's European Vital Computer, the on-board "brain" that real-time monitors train speed and braking. It integrates Ireland's legacy train protection and continuous automatic warning systems into an EU-standard platform, enabling automatic braking when speed limits are exceeded and supporting future digital signalling upgrades.