Ansaldo STS (STS.MI) and NIIAS (a subsidiary of Russian Railways JSC RZD) have signed a Contract worth approximately 7.4 million Euro to test – on a trial site located near the city of Sochi – the innovative railway signalling system called ITARUS-ATC.

The Contract became effective on December 29, 2009 and the related activities (design, transportation, installation, testing and commissioning) will last two and a half years.

The ITARUS-ATC system is based on the interoperable European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) / European Train Control System (ETCS), and will require the implementation of the most advanced Italian and Russian technological solutions. ITARUS-ATC is conceived as a cost-effective for NIIAS and state-of-the-art system, suitable for low, medium and high traffic railroads, including high-speed lines, and capable of enhancing the safety and capacity of railways.