Waldenburg Railway becomes the first railway in Switzerland tolaunch semi-automated operation
BLT Baselland Transport AG is the first railway company in Switzerland to introduce semi automated GoA2 operation on the Waldenburg Railway. In doing so, it is taking a decisive step towards automated rail operations. Modern signalling technology from Stadler has made this milestone possible.
The Swiss Federal Office of Transport (BAV) has approved semi-automated train operation (GoA2, see box) for the Waldenburg Railway. This marks the premiere of this new mode of operation on the Liestal–Waldenburg line. Once again, BLT is demonstrating its role as a pioneer in digital, modern rail operations.
New development enables semi-automated operation
At the heart of semi-automated operation is the train protection system NOVA Pro. Stadler has completely redeveloped this communications-based train control (CBTC) system at its site in Wallisellen. It enables direct information exchange between the vehicles and the wayside safety equipment, thus forming the basis for fully digital train control.
A consistent focus on the future
With the comprehensive modernization of the Waldenburg Railway, BLT is consistently pursuing a modern and future-oriented approach to rail operations. Since the end of 2022, ten new Stadler trainsets manufactured in Valencia have been in service. In addition, BLT has completely renewed the 13-kilometre infrastructure of the Waldenburg–Liestal line – from new tracks and modernized stops to a new generation of signalling and control systems.
A key step towards digitalized rail transport is the move away from conventional lineside signalling. In semi-automated GoA2 operation, the Stadler CBTC system manages the entire journey. Once the doors are closed and the driver has authorized departure, the journey runs fully automatically. The CBTC system controls speed, ensures compliance with permitted maximum speeds, optimizes the control of level crossings and automatically stops the train precisely at the 1 / 4 next station. This relieves train drivers of routine tasks and improves punctuality. The driver supervises the journey and intervenes if necessary.
In parallel, BLT is planning to implement fully unattended vehicle maneuvering in the newly built depot in Waldenburg from the end of 2026. This will achieve full automation within depot operations (GoA4, see box). With this step, the Waldenburg Railway is consistently continuing its path towards increasingly automated operations.
A decisive step into a digitalised future
«GoA2 represents a major step forward in automated rail operations. Train services will become more uniform, resource-efficient and energy-efficient. The Waldenburg Railway will operate with even greater punctuality. GoA2 helps reduce delays and prevent early departures from stations. This is a significant added value for our passengers», says Philipp Glogg, Chief Technical Officer of BLT.
«We are very proud to be implementing this forward-looking project together with the Waldenburg Railway. For Stadler Signalling, it represents an important milestone in the further development of modern, digital train control systems – and at the same time a significant step for automated rail transport in Switzerland», says Marc Trippel, Executive Vice President Division Stadler Signalling.