Finland Tests First Automated Mainline Train with ETCS and ATO

Fintraffic and Siemens Mobility have carried out Finland’s first automated train drive on a mainline route using the European Train Control System and Automatic Train Operation, a trial that positions the country at the forefront of digital rail innovation in the Nordic region.

A Nordic First on the Juurikorpi–Hamina Line

According to publicly available information, the milestone demonstration took place on the 19‑kilometer Juurikorpi–Hamina section in southeast Finland, a stretch of track selected as a living laboratory for the country’s Digirail modernization program. Siemens Mobility provided the train control technology and integration, while Fintraffic, Finland’s state-owned traffic management company, coordinated the operational framework and safety oversight.

The tests combined the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 with Automatic Train Operation (ATO) at Grade of Automation 2, meaning a driver remained in the cab supervising the system while key driving tasks were automated. Reports indicate that the test runs showcased highly precise automated stopping, smooth acceleration, and consistent speed regulation under ETCS supervision.

Publicly available coverage notes that the train executed automatic stops from 100 km/h with an accuracy measured in tens of centimeters at station platforms. The performance is being cited as evidence that ATO over ETCS can deliver reliable, repeatable operations on an open mainline, not just in controlled metro environments.

Industry summaries describe the trial as the Nordic region’s first automated operation on an ETCS-equipped mainline, placing Finland alongside early adopters such as Germany and the United Kingdom in the shift toward digital, software-driven train control.

How ETCS and ATO Work Together

ETCS is the European standard for train protection and control, designed to replace a patchwork of national signaling systems with a unified digital layer. In Finland’s pilot, ETCS Level 2 uses continuous radio-based communication between the train and trackside equipment to supervise permitted speeds and movement authorities, reducing reliance on traditional lineside signals.

On top of this safety backbone, ATO manages tasks such as acceleration, cruising, coasting, and braking, following an optimized speed profile that aims to keep the train on time while minimizing energy use. In the Finnish tests, ATO handled the driving within parameters defined by ETCS, while the human driver monitored the journey and took over if required.

Technical descriptions of the project indicate that the prototype system was installed on modernized electric multiple units belonging to the Helsinki region rolling stock company Pääkaupunkiseudun Junakalusto Oy and operated in cooperation with national operator VR. The configuration is aligned with the latest European Technical Specifications for Interoperability, an aspect Finnish stakeholders view as essential for long-term compatibility across borders.

Public material from the companies involved suggests that data from the Juurikorpi–Hamina test runs will be used to refine braking curves, energy optimization algorithms, and human-machine interfaces, providing a template for future deployments on busier commuter and intercity routes.

Anchored in Finland’s Digirail Modernization Strategy

The automated trial is closely linked to Digirail, Finland’s multi-year initiative to renew its railway control and signaling infrastructure using ETCS and other digital technologies. Fintraffic and national transport agencies have described Digirail as a cornerstone of broader efforts to increase rail capacity, improve punctuality, and cut lifecycle costs in an aging network.

Earlier contract announcements show that Siemens Mobility was selected to deliver the first ETCS line in Finland, including onboard equipment and ATO functionality for selected trainsets. The Juurikorpi–Hamina test corridor is one of the first tangible outcomes of that program, translating planning documents into live operations under real-world conditions.

Publicly available Digirail documentation emphasizes that automation on the test track is being phased in step by step, with pilots designed to validate how ETCS and ATO behave in Finland’s specific operating environment, which includes harsh winters, mixed traffic patterns, and long distances between major hubs.

The recent automated runs are therefore seen as part of a larger sequence of trials that also involve freight locomotives, commuter trains, and traffic management systems. Each stage is intended to provide lessons on integration, cybersecurity, maintenance, and staff training before any broader rollout is considered.

Implications for Capacity, Sustainability, and Passenger Experience

Supporters of the project highlight three main benefits from combining ETCS and ATO on Finland’s railways: higher capacity, improved energy efficiency, and a more predictable passenger experience. Automation can enable shorter and more consistent headways by making train movements more precise, helping lines accommodate additional services without extensive new infrastructure.

Energy savings are another focus. By controlling acceleration and braking according to optimized speed profiles, ATO can reduce unnecessary power consumption and wear on rolling stock. This aligns with Finland’s climate and sustainability goals, which prioritize shifting more passenger and freight traffic from road to rail.

For passengers, the technology promises smoother rides and more stable timetables. Even on a relatively short test route, consistent stopping positions can improve accessibility and boarding, especially for travelers with reduced mobility, while reliable journey times strengthen rail’s competitiveness with private cars and buses.

However, publicly available commentary also notes that realizing network-wide benefits will require substantial investment in onboard equipment, trackside infrastructure, and staff training. The Juurikorpi–Hamina tests are seen as a critical benchmark to help Finnish decision-makers assess costs, technical risks, and best-practice deployment models.

Next Steps for Fintraffic, Siemens Mobility, and Finnish Rail

Fintraffic’s recent strategic documents underline a broader push toward digital traffic management, with automation pilots in rail forming part of a national vision for data-driven mobility across modes. The successful ETCS and ATO integration on the test corridor is expected to inform future upgrades to control centers, communication networks, and operational procedures.

Industry observers anticipate that additional test campaigns will extend automated operation to more complex environments, including sections with higher traffic density and tighter station spacing. Lessons from the first mainline pilot may also be shared with other Nordic infrastructure managers, many of whom are evaluating their own ETCS transition paths.

For Siemens Mobility, the Finnish project reinforces its role in supplying ETCS and ATO solutions globally. The company has already been involved in automated overground and suburban operations in several European cities, but the Nordic debut adds a reference in a region known for demanding climatic and operational conditions.

As the Digirail program advances, Finland’s combination of state-backed traffic management, technologically advanced rolling stock, and strong digital expertise is widely regarded as fertile ground for further automation trials. The first automated drive with ETCS and ATO on the Juurikorpi–Hamina line is being framed as a starting point rather than an endpoint, with more extensive applications likely to follow later in the decade.