High-Speed Network

The main challenge for the future is to complete the corridors currently under construction and thus extend the benefits of high speed to as many citizens as possible:

Since its launch, 51,775 million euros have been invested in high-speed rail, making the railway industry one of the key drivers of economic development in Spain. 

The increased investment is an engine for job creation (both directly and indirectly), it reinforces regional cohesion, and opens new market opportunities, especially in the services sector.

The commissioning of these high-speed lines benefits not only the cities they pass through, but also many Spanish regions. This is due to the interoperability of conventional and high-speed networks, made possible by gauge-changing technology that allows variable-gauge trains to travel on both networks, and by dual-gauge infrastructures.

The social impact of the high-speed lines is also notable on roads, because of the creation of a new supply-and-demand scenario, as well as other aspects such as fewer accidents and time saved in road travel due to reduced traffic congestion.

Environmental integration is an important part of the philosophy inspiring all high-speed line development.Firstly, these lines reduce CO2 annual emissions, and secondly, they are responsible for considerable energy savings (equivalent to tonnes of oil).

• High-speed rail is a driver of economic development and sustainable transport.

Adif Alta Velocidad (Adif High Speed) not only applies the current legislation on these matters, but also uses all resources available to set new goals.The aim is to strike a balance between the benefits to be derived from constructing and operating a high-speed line with the need to preserve the common heritage of all citizens, both environmental and cultural.

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is the basic model when implementing a new infrastructure, as it sets the guidelines that are to be followed in order to ensure proper protection of the environment.This translates into many specific measures, such asbiological rest periods, waste treatment, wildlife crossings, etc.

Environmental protection is not limited to the natural environment, but also includes areas of archaeological and paleontological value.The law requires specialists to be present during the execution of works in order to detect and, where appropriate, study and protect any remains that may be found.Sometimes, archaeological maps listing already known sites give archaeologists knowledge in advance of what they might find.

However, on other occasions, works executed by Adif have brought to light remains of great value, thus contributing decisively to the progress of scientific research.As an example, the Lo Hueco paleontological site in the municipality of Fuentes (Cuenca province) –one of the most important of its kind in Western Europe– was discovered quite by accident during track-bed works on the Madrid – Castilla La Mancha – Valencian Community – Region of Murcia high-speed line.

For example, Spain stands out in rail traffic management thanks to the DaVinci System, which has been bought by the Moroccan railway company and by Lithuania's railways, among others. It should also be noted that Spain is the European country with the largest implementation of the ERTMS signaling system (adding Adif Alta Velocidad and Adif's systems: see the Network Statements of both entities). The Spanish automatic gauge changeover system, of great interest to countries such as Russia (which also has a track gauge different from the standard), is also noteworthy, as well as the development of new technologies linked to the mixed gauge, or "third rail".

In addition, Spain's commitment to technological innovation has afforded Adif a large portfolio of railway products and patents available for the modernisation of the world’s railway system.

This is the case, once again, with the DaVinci system, which is among the world’s most advanced traffic management systems, as it integrates in a single application all the systems that make up the elements of a control and regulation centre. Moreover, in terms of railway electrification, Adif has developed a new catenary system named C-350. Finally, we should not forget new developments in electronic technology for level crossing protection, which have increased security at these strategic points of the rail network.

The idea of achieving such compatibility was raised in 1996 by a European directive, but it was not until 2005 that the European Union recommended member states to adopt ERTMS as the control system for new lines, as well as to adapt existing lines to ERTMS.

Nevertheless, despite this recommendation, a railway line such as that connecting France to Germany has as many as 7 different signalling and control systems, meaning that for a train to run on this route it must either have all systems in the cab, or change cabs on each section.

ERTMS is structured at various levels, increasing in accordance with the system’s performance levels.At Level 1, transmission of information from track equipment to the train is made sporadically via Eurobalises, while at Level 2 transmission is continuous via GSM-R radio.

Spain decided to implement the ERTMS system when constructing all new high-speed lines, adhering to the European directive and making a clear commitment to this new interoperable system.

Spain has played a key role in the deployment, development and success of ERTMS, and is an international leader in operating the system properly. Our country has proven to the rest of Europe that technical interoperability between all suppliers is possible, since it is the system implemented in Spain, with high levels of punctuality and reliability.