Market drivers

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.

Nexans helps you create the network you need for growth

Nexans produces a wide choice of power, signalling and telecommunications cables and components, specifically adapted to evolving rail infrastructures.

In public areas and tunnels, virtually all of these cables are halogen-free, as well as flame-retardant, and thus assure low toxicity and minimal smoke to enhance survival, firefighting and emergency operations.

For advanced telecommunications and train control, Nexans covers Wide Area Networks (main line); Metropolitan Area Networks for subways, light rail and intercity arrivals/departures; and station range outdoor cables for efficient rail management.

Nexans provides trunk line and radio system optical fiber for multileveled analogue and digital railway applications (ERTMS/ETCS).

Nexans also advises operators about evolving specifications and standards, and provides customized engineering, turnkey installation and maintenance anywhere in the world. We are engaged in ongoing R&D to keep all products competitive, compatible with modern standards and environmentally-friendly.

Nexans for safety, performance and comfort:

• All power, signalling and telecommunications cables and components for all infrastructure needs
• Advanced characteristics, EM immunity and high fire-performance
• European-based expertise for high-speed trains worldwide
• End-to-end turnkey systems for mainline and mass transit
• Complete train control cabling, from standard solutions to ERTMS/ETCS
• Custom engineering for country-specific challenges
• Innovative installation for trackside, tunnels and stations
• Open standards, interoperability and international delivery logistics
• Present along the value chain, from R&D and design to maintenance and training