Hitachi Rail, the railway systems division of Hitachi, Ltd., has supplied Greece’s first autonomous driving technology and vehicles for a newly opened railway line in Thessaloniki, the country’s second-largest city. This new line represents a key project aimed at improving urban transportation efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Project Overview
Details of the Newly Opened Line
- Length of Initial Section: Approximately 9.6 km
- Number of Stations: 13
- Rolling Stock: 18 trainsets (4-car configurations, with a capacity of 450 passengers per trainset)
- Impact: The line is expected to replace approximately 56,000 daily car trips, reducing annual CO2 emissions by around 77,000 tons.
Extension Plan
- Additional Section: 4.8 km
- New Stations: 5
- Future Connection: Planned to link the city center with the airport.
Train Features
- Manufacturing Site: Reggio Calabria plant, Italy
- Train Configuration: 4-car trainsets, approximately 51 meters in length
- Additional Production: 15 more trainsets to be delivered for the extension section.
Autonomous Driving Technology (CBTC System)
- Technology Name: Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC)
- Key Features:
- Utilizes wireless communication between trains and infrastructure.
- Ensures more efficient and safer operations compared to traditional systems.
- Enables shorter headways between trains, enhancing the convenience of urban transit.
Environmental and Social Benefits
- Alleviates traffic congestion and reduces reliance on private vehicles.
- Supports Greece’s sustainable urban development goals through significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Hitachi Rail’s cutting-edge technology and vehicles are making a major contribution to Greece’s transportation transformation, delivering critical infrastructure to support the city’s future development.
