Siemens Mobility Completes GoA2 ETCS Stops with High Accuracy in Finland

Siemens Mobility successfully demonstrated GoA2 automated train operation, achieving 30-80 cm stopping accuracy from 100 km/h in Finland.

March 22, 2026 2:29 am

⚡ In Brief: Siemens Mobility, in partnership with VR and JKOY, has successfully demonstrated GoA2 automated train operation over ETCS Level 2 in Finland, achieving a stopping accuracy of 30-80 cm from 100 km/h on a 19-kilometer line.

HAMINA, FINLAND – Siemens Mobility has conducted the first demonstration of Automated Train Operation (ATO) over the European Train Control System (ETCS) on a Finnish main line. The GoA2 tests on a 19-kilometer section between Juurikorpi and Hamina involved a VR-operated JKOY train. The system achieved an automatic stop from 100 km/h with an accuracy of between 30 and 80 centimeters.

What Are the Technical Specifications?

The demonstration integrated Siemens Mobility’s ATO system with ETCS Level 2 infrastructure, automating acceleration, coasting, and braking functions. The system operates at Grade of Automation 2 (GoA2), where the driver remains in the cab to supervise operations and manage doors. The technology is projected to increase network capacity by up to 30% and reduce energy consumption by more than 30% through optimized driving profiles.

Key Technical Data

Parameter	Value
Technology / System Name	ATO over ETCS Level 2 (GoA2)
Total Value	Not disclosed
Parties Involved	Siemens Mobility, JKOY, VR, Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency (Digirail)
Timeline / Completion	Test successful; first commercial deployment on Tampere–Pori/Rauma line planned by 2029.
Country / Corridor	Finland / Juurikorpi–Hamina

Where Does This Technology Stand in the Market?

Siemens Mobility’s ATO over ETCS solution competes directly with systems from other major signalling suppliers. Alstom’s Urbalis Fluence system offers similar GoA2 capabilities and is being deployed on high-capacity lines like the RER B and D in Paris to reduce headways. Thales offers its SelTrac™ system, which can be integrated with ETCS and is a market leader in Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC), a technology frequently deployed on high-density metro networks. The Finnish demonstration’s key differentiator is its successful application in Nordic operational conditions, validating the technology for a new geographical market.

Editor’s Analysis

This successful test aligns with Finland’s national strategy to leverage its digital leadership for infrastructure modernization, a trend supported by a record €9.6 billion in private equity investment in 2025 (Source: PitchBook). The use of GoA2 automation represents a pragmatic step towards increasing efficiency without the regulatory complexity of higher, fully driverless automation levels. This approach mirrors trends in other sectors, such as automotive, where advanced AI agents are increasingly used for testing and validation of autonomous systems (Source: Automotive World).

FAQ

Q: What is the Digirail program?
A: Digirail is a Finnish government initiative to modernize the country’s entire railway system by replacing legacy signalling with ETCS. The program aims to improve capacity, punctuality, and safety across the national network, with the first commercial segment due by 2029.

Q: What is the difference between GoA2 and other automation levels?
A: GoA2 (Grade of Automation 2) involves automated acceleration and braking, but a driver remains in the cab to supervise and handle emergencies. Higher levels like GoA4, used on some metro lines, are fully driverless with no staff onboard the train.

Q: Will this technology lead to job losses for train drivers?
A: GoA2 systems require the driver to remain in the cab for supervision, door operation, and handling unforeseen events. While the role changes, it does not eliminate the need for a driver on the train at this level of automation.