The network of measures implemented and others launched for the safety of railway operations is listed by the new OSE Administration in its statement, rejecting the “inaccurate reports about alleged safety gaps”.
As OSE President Giannos Grammatidis pointed out, “with these measures, the safety of Greek railway operations is guaranteed definitively and absolutely and a catalytic response is given to inaccurate complaints about alleged safety gaps in railway operations that have recently come to light.” These objections, Mr. Grammatidis added, “I fear will undermine the major modernization project of the Greek railways that is being undertaken for the first time in the country and unjustifiably cultivate insecurity among the passenger public.”
Specifically, according to the announcement:
(a) The lighting, fire extinguishing and pedometer system of the GSM-R system has been restored in all tunnels on the Corinth – Athens – Thessaloniki – Strymonas – Promachonas railway axis.
(b) The alarm systems were restored and new closed-circuit cameras were installed in the Platamon and Tempo tunnels.
(c) The SCADA operation of the Platamonas and Tempo tunnels was reestablished, which operates in the new Larissa Tunnel Security Center and complements surveillance with security systems from the corresponding Operation Control Center. In simpler language we could say that SCADA systems are responsible for the proper functioning of the country’s railway electrification and signaling network and making it operational.
(d) The full operation of the Traffic Control Centres of Corinth, Acharna Railway Junction, Lianokladi, Thessaloniki and Larissa has been completed so that rail traffic is fully and effectively controlled on the entire railway network, with the exception of the Corinth – Upper Liosion sections and those affected by divine Daniel.
(e) VHF radio communication along the entire length of the above shaft is in phase control.
(f) The new installation of the GSM-R system is planned on parts of the Rododafni – Athens – Thessaloniki – Idomeni railway axis, as well as on the Larissa – Volos and Palaiofarsalos – Kalambaka vertical axes. GSM-R is an international standard for wireless railway communication between trains and Traffic Control Centers guaranteed for speeds of up to 500 km/h without data loss ensuring accuracy and immediacy of communication and traffic coordination.
(g) A set of infrastructure maintenance contracts relating, among others:
- Infrastructure, signaling and remote control systems. Particularly regarding the remote control, it is worth mentioning that it is temporarily out of operation at the meeting point of three trains at the entrance to Thessaloniki (known by the population of Thessaloniki as TX1) due to the renewal of the systems and their replacement with new ones implemented by Contract 713 from ERGOSE. But even there, due to the works, the speed of the trains does not exceed 20 km/h and the trains’ routes are HAPPY, they do not move with Light Signals but with Maneuver Signals. Additionally, the TX1 node is covered by 2 Stationmasters and locksmiths. The newspaper headline “Almost New Fatal Collision” was therefore regrettable to say the least, as there was no error in the change, but moreover, the distance between the two trains was perfectly safe. Therefore, there could never be any question of the trains colliding.
- The extraordinary – and for the first time ever – financing from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, amounting to €25 million, for the purpose of modernising the Automatic Level Crossing Systems (ASIDS). The relevant tender documents are expected to be ready in the coming weeks, with the aim of starting the project award process as soon as possible. It should be noted that this modernisation measure mainly concerns the ASIDs in Northern Greece, as the ASIDs in the rest of the country operate normally. This will satisfy a permanent demand from local communities and ensure the safety of level crossings for pedestrians and vehicles with modern means.
- The work to clear vegetation and cut trees along the network, for which OSE spent approximately one million euros, with almost the same amount planned and committed for the rest of 2024. In effect, in 3. In the first quarter of 2024, the tender process relating to the 2 Framework Contracts, worth more than 5 million euros, for the next 3 years will have been completed. With this measure and the constant readiness of the OSE crews, the aim is to ensure that the vegetation along the network does not obstruct the circulation of trains, avoiding the risk of accidents.
“The OSE, aware of its historical responsibility, guarantees the safety of railway operations for the benefit of society and the economy,” assured the President of the Organization.