US: Hitachi Rail SelTrac™ Digital Signalling Enters Passenger Service for SEPTA

Passenger services using Hitachi Rail’s new digital signalling system have begun on the Media–Sharon Hill Line operated by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).

The Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) upgrade introduces SelTrac™ technology to one of the remaining interurban trolley networks in the United States.

The installation covers approximately 11.9 miles of light-rail route linking the 69th Street Transportation Center with the communities of Media and Sharon Hill. The line uses overhead electrification and trolley-gauge track, with the project replacing legacy signal equipment with a digital control system designed to support daily operations.

The SelTrac™ system incorporates automatic train protection and automatic train supervision functions intended to enforce speed limits and monitor vehicle movements in real time. Wayside transponders and onboard sensors provide continuous train location data, supporting operational control and maintenance processes.

Massimo Esposito, Senior Director, Technology Management, Hitachi Rail in North America, said:

Hitachi’s state-of-the-art SelTrac™ technology will truly aid in revolutionising operations for SEPTA’s Media -Sharon Hill line – enhancing passenger experience, ensuring reliable journeys for daily passengers from start to finish.

The CBTC platform is designed with a modular architecture that allows future expansion. Project documentation indicates the system also includes data analytics capabilities aimed at improving asset management and reducing lifecycle costs.

Joseph Pozza, President of Hitachi Rail in the USA said:

This modern upgrade to SEPTA’s trolley system is a testament to Pennsylvania’s continued investment in transportation revitalisation. Our advanced technology will help to deliver modern and reliable onboard operations, that will meet passenger needs for decades to come. Our partnership with SEPTA and the state of Pennsylvania is yet another example of Hitachi Rail’s commitment to advancing transportation across the United States.