HITACHI RAIL STS SPA

Their core work

Hitachi Rail STS (formerly Ansaldo STS) is a major railway signalling and train control systems provider, specializing in ERTMS/ETCS implementation, traffic management, and advanced automation for European rail networks. They develop onboard and trackside signalling solutions, automatic train operation (ATO) systems, and moving block technology that enables higher capacity on existing rail infrastructure. Beyond signalling, they work on intelligent asset management systems for predictive maintenance of rail infrastructure and are increasingly active in cybersecurity for rail communications. As part of the Hitachi group, they bring large-scale industrial engineering capability to EU collaborative research, particularly through the Shift2Rail programme.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2015–2018), Hitachi Rail STS focused on foundational railway signalling challenges: GNSS-based train positioning, ERTMS validation, satellite integration for safety-critical systems, and initial Shift2Rail signalling research (ETCS, ATO concepts). From 2019 onward, the focus shifted decisively toward prototyping and demonstration of advanced systems — moving block signalling, zero on-site testing, cybersecurity, formal verification methods, and digital twins for system architecture. The freight side also matured, moving from requirements definition to concrete wagon design, smart assets, and condition-based maintenance solutions.

Hitachi Rail STS is moving from research into deployment-ready prototypes of next-generation signalling (moving block, ATO, virtual coupling), with increasing emphasis on cybersecurity and digital twins — positioning them as a go-to partner for the European rail digital transformation.

How they like to work

Hitachi Rail STS operates predominantly as an active participant (30 of 36 projects), but takes the coordinator role on strategically important projects — notably the X2Rail-2 signalling flagship (EUR 3.6M) and both IN2SMART iterations for asset management. With 286 unique partners across 27 countries, they function as a hub organization deeply embedded in the European rail research ecosystem, particularly within the Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking. Their large consortium footprint and consistent participation across multiple programme phases make them a reliable, well-connected partner who understands how large EU collaborative projects operate.

Extensive network of 286 unique partners spanning 27 countries, heavily concentrated in the Shift2Rail ecosystem. Their partnerships cover the full rail value chain — infrastructure managers, operators, component suppliers, research institutes, and other system integrators across Europe.

What sets them apart

Hitachi Rail STS combines the R&D agility of a dedicated signalling specialist with the industrial scale and deployment capability of the Hitachi group, making them one of very few organizations that can take a rail signalling concept from EU-funded research through to commercial deployment. Their deep involvement across the entire X2Rail series (1 through 4) gives them unmatched continuity in next-generation ETCS development. For consortium builders, they offer both technical depth in safety-critical signalling systems and a proven track record of managing multi-partner Shift2Rail projects.

Highlights from their portfolio

• X2Rail-2
  Their largest project (EUR 3.6M) as coordinator — the central Shift2Rail effort on satellite positioning, onboard train integrity, and formal methods for next-generation signalling.
• X2Rail-3
  EUR 3.2M contribution to prototyping moving block, cybersecurity, virtually coupled train sets, and zero on-site testing — the demonstration phase of the X2Rail programme.
• IN2SMART2
  Coordinated sequel (EUR 2.3M) to their own IN2SMART project, showing sustained leadership in intelligent rail asset management and predictive maintenance.