Market Challenges

Rail transportation is very dependent on the quality of the infrastructure that supports it, and that includes cables and cabling systems for telecommunications and energy. Modern high-speed trains demand cables with different characteristics in terms of bandwidth, safety, electromagnetic immunity and resistance.

A definite trend is interoperability, which allows trains to move easily across borders and even continents. Here, too, cables must comply with the new consolidated ERTMS/ETCS standards which are progressively integrating GSM-R radio technologies for train control, while continuing to rely on older route control systems (relay interlocking) for safety and redundancy.

Indeed, safety has become a prime concern for the world’s rail operators, and there is a demand not only for more reliable operating systems, but also for materials with improved fire-performance characteristics, especially in tunnels, stations and public areas. Urban mass transit, subways, fully-automated metros, light rail suburban lines and trams are experiencing substantial growth, especially in Asia. Each rail mode has its own cable needs.

What railway operators expect of a cable manufacturer

• Range of high-quality cables from one supplier
• Mastery of energy, data and radio-based technologies
• Installation for mainline, mass transit, tunnels, right-of-ways, etc.
• Enhanced fire performance for public and infrastructure safety
• Interoperability, open standards, and worldwide compliance
• Cable efficiency, compactness, lightness, and resistance
• Low costs, minimum maintenance, easy upgrades

To answer these challenges, Nexans provides a complete range of cables and accessories for all of your railway networks projects.