OREANDA-NEWS. On November 07, 2008 The Presidents of Russian Railways and Finmechanica, Vladimir Yakunin and Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, signed a cooperation agreement today in the presence of Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in the framework of an inter-governmental summit, reported the press-centre of Russian Railways.

The agreement concerns joint development of the innovative ITARUS-ATS (rail signaling), ITARUS-COM (professional communications) and ITARUS-MONITORING (satellite technology) systems for the rail transport sector. The new systems will be developed on major rail routes within the Russian Federation before being introduced to foreign markets.

The two companies have approved a schedule for introduction of the ITARUS systems, involving the signing of a contact between NIIAS – a subsidiary of RZD - and Ansaldo STS. This envisages the creation of a test site in 2009-10 for the innovatory ITARUS-ATS signaling system and further work on the system on one of Russia’s rail routes from 2010.

The ITARUS-ATS technology will also be used for management and safety of the transport system for 2014 Olympics in Sochi.

The new safety and satellite systems will enhance the safety and reliability as well as the technical specifications and economics of rail transportation, while simultaneously cutting operating and maintenance costs.