New Operations Room and modern traffic technologies in Palermo

Another step ahead in overall modernisation of the Sicilian railway infrastructure: restyling  works completed on the Palermo Traffic Operations Room, and the modern traffic supervision and control system, SCCM (Multi-Station Command and Control System), activated.   

A determinant role was played by Italferr who, along with RFI, designed and oversaw execution by Directing the Works, once again showing excellence when it comes to Italian railway engineering. 

"This new Multi-Station Command and Control System makes more efficient operation of the network possible,with significant optimisation of risk prevention and an increase in operating safety, within a territory as complex and varied as Sicily" – said Dario Lo Bosco, Italferr CEO, at the inauguration of the new control cabin – "It is the new technologies and digitalisation of designs, in which Italferr is one of the leading companies in the world, that we are proud of: we have set up integration with the ERTMS system, the pride and joy of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane at a European and international level, that represents a standard of excellence in ensuring the utmost safety of rail traffic".

The works, with a price tag of over Euro 9,5 million, equipped the Sicilian network with cutting-edge technologies, making it possible to increase reliability of the railway network, while improving management of train traffic in terms of regularity and punctuality.

The works leading up to commissioning involved 500 Gruppo FS and contractors' personnel overall.    

The Palermo Operations Room is the control centre for managing about 500 trains on the 1370 km Sicilian railway lines each day, with coordinated, efficient dealing with faults and information for passengers: each day it works seamlessly with the "Sala Blu" (Blue Room) on assisting passengers with reduced mobility. About 100 people work there each day, broken down into shifts covering the whole 24 hours.  Palermo is one of RFI's 15 Territorial Rooms, all constantly in contact with the National Operations Room in Rome. 

Activation of the SCCM is the first evolution of the technology that has to interface with the future Multi-Station Computerised Central Apparatuses (ACCM), which will make it possible to control all stations on the same section of line, and with the ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System), which will make it possible to improve traffic regularity and service quality. 

Palermo's new SCCM was formed using innovative technological solutions on large format (75") monitors, making it possible to more efficiently control traffic on the main lines. Palermo Aeroporto–Palermo Centrale–Messina, Messina–Catania–Siracusa.

Renewal of the technologies used will bring about a significant improvement in the quality of the service and punctuality of traffic, ensuring greater reliability of the infrastructure and optimisation of management should abnormalities arise.