Adif - Abrimos caminos

After 438 kilometres of railway line between Madrid, Albacete and Valencia were put into service in 2010, Spain became first in Europe and second in the world, after China, in terms of the number of kilometres of high-performance line in operation, ahead even of countries with a great tradition in this type of transport, such as Japan and France.

With innovation in infrastructures, signalling, electrification and rolling stock, Spain is at the technological forefront of the railway’s R&D&i sector.

In 2020, at the end of the current PEIT (Strategic Infrastructure and Transport Plan):

Benefits of high-speed railways

Increased investment drives job creation (both directly and indirectly), reinforces regional cohesion, and opens new markets, especially in the services sector.

Commissioning of these high-speed lines benefits not only the cities they pass through, but also many Spanish regions, because of the interoperability of conventional and high-speed networks, made possible by gauge changing technology that allows adjustable-axle trains to circulate on both.

 The social impact of the high-speed lines is also notable on roads, because of the creation of a new supply and demand scenario, and in aspects such as fewer accidents and time saved in road travel because of less congestion.

Environmental integration is an important part of the philosophy inspiring all high-speed line development. Firstly, these lines reduce CO₂ emissions, and second, they are responsible for a considerable saving in energy of tonnes of petroleum equivalent.

High-speed lines entrusted to Adif

Adif continues to make progress on works and projects commissioned by the Government, shortening distances and uniting various regions of Spain with high-speed services.

At 30/05/2011, Adif is in the process of building almost 4,500 km of high-speed infrastructure, at different stages of construction, on the following high-speed lines:

In scarcely six years (2005-2011) Spain has become a world leader in high-speed trains. During this time, our country has increased its kilometres of high-speed lines in service more than fivefold, from a little over 550 km to nearly 2,900 km, and the benefits of this fast, secure and efficient mode of transport have been extended from 7 to 24 cities. Adif has played a key role in this success, which has involved a qualitative leap forward for the Spanish railway and Spanish engineering.

Since 2005, Adif has put the following high-speed lines into service, overcoming all kinds of technical challenges and difficulties presented by mountainous terrain.

One of Adif’s top priorities in constructing new infrastructures is respect for the environment in which works are carried out, minimising impact and facilitating subsequent environmental integration. This is shown by the important commitment made in 2006 when the Strategic Plan for Quality and the Environment was adopted. This document, essential to Adif, sets out basic principles of environmental monitoring and sustainability to be used in creating policies aimed at protecting the environment and historical heritage.

Adif not only applies the existing legislation on these matters, but uses all its resources to set new targets. The aim is to strike a balance between the benefits to be derived from constructing and operating a high-speed line with the need to preserve the common heritage of all citizens, both environmental and cultural.

When implementing a new high-speed line, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), since it sets out the guidelines to be followed in accordance with advice from the Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs, acts as the basic point of reference for ensuring correct environmental protection. This translates into many specific measures, such as halting works for biological reasons, waste treatment, installation of fauna paths, etc.

Protection of the environment is not limited to the natural environment, but also includes areas of archaeological and paleontological value. The law establishes the requirement for specialists to be present during the execution of works in order to detect and, where appropriate, study and protect any remains that may appear. Sometimes, archaeological charters listing already known sites give archaeologists knowledge in advance of what may be found.

However, on other occasions works executed by Adif have brought to light remains of great value, contributing decisively to the progress of scientific research. As an example, the Lo Hueco paleontological site in the municipality of Fuentes (Cuenca Province) - one of the most important of its kind in Western Europe - was discovered quite by accident during track-bed works on the Madrid–Castile-La Mancha–Valencia Region–Murcia Region High-Speed Line.

Currently, the company performs a significant international role, representing Spanish interests in various institutions, collaborating in processes to transfer Spanish technology and establishing wide-ranging agreements with railways in different countries.

The Spanish railway line consulting/engineering and construction/equipping sector certainly stands as a high-level world benchmark, as attested to by its successes.

The Spanish railway sector is a leader in: technology to develop interoperability; integration of the best rail technologies (some of them developed in Spain); outstanding large project management (guaranteeing quality, price and deadlines) - specifically in the management of railway traffic (the Da Vinci System has already been bought by the Moroccan and Lithuanian railways, among others); signalling and train security systems (Spain is the leader in the ERTMS standard European system); and automatic gauge changing systems (of great interest to countries with non-standard gauges, like Russia). It is becoming increasingly common to see Spanish companies winning business in these fields, thanks to their extraordinary railway experience gained in Spain.

Adif has always been committed to innovation and technological development. This commitment has taken the form of promotion of a range of relevant projects and several agreements with universities.

A particularly important example in this regard is Adif’s leading role in Europe in the development and implementation of ERTMS, a signalling system being developed for common management of European rail traffic. With nearly 1,500 km of railway line equipped with ERTMS, Spain is the country that has made most progress in implementing the common European signalling system.

Another example of Spain’s own technological development work is the Da Vinci System. This is one of the most advanced railway traffic management systems in the world. It is the system used in Spain for complete management and control of the high-speed network. At present, in collaboration with Indra, Adif is taking part in international tenders to export and implement the system internationally. It has already been awarded some of these, e.g. the metro systems in the cities of London and Medellín. 

Collaboration and technology transfer with United States

The USA is one of the countries showing most interest in technology developed by Adif. So much so that the Spanish company has transferred its experience and knowledge in the field of high-speed trains to the U.S.A., participating in seminars and workshops, as well as advising the American administration on different projects.

Spain has become a major point of reference for high-speed development in the United States, in the context of the decision taken by the White House, in the Economic Stimulus Plan launched by President Obama, to provide $8 billion of aid to promote various US high-speed corridors.

This collaboration includes the visit of members of the United States Congress to Spanish high-speed facilities managed by Adif, following other previous visits by various United States delegations. As a result of this collaboration, several Spanish engineering companies have recently won contracts related to high-speed development in the United States. However, these activities are still at the consulting and engineering stage.

Medina-Mecca High-Speed

The Spanish-Saudi consortium, Al Shoula Group, led by Adif and Renfe Operadora and formed by twelve Spanish companies and two Saudi companies has been awarded the contract for the “Pilgrims’ High-Speed Line”, which will connect the cities of Mecca and Medina, in Saudi Arabia.

This is the largest contract managed internationally by a consortium formed by Spanish companies. It involves the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the Mecca-Jeddah-Medina high-speed line, of its almost 450 km of double electrified track and its trains, for a period of 12 years. The vale of the contract is 6,736 million Euros.

The project has been considered as an urgent, priority requirement for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as its 450 kilometres of double electrified track will provide an efficient, quality service to pilgrims travelling between Mecca and Medina, whose number grows year after year, as well as to visitors and residents in both cities.

International projects in which Adif participates

Adif, as an infrastructures manager, performs a significant international role by representing Spanish interests in various international institutions, collaborating in processes to transfer Spanish technology and establishing wide-ranging agreements with railways in different countries. In Europe, with Russia, Turkey, Lithuania and Poland. In America, with Columbia, Chile, Mexico, Brazil and the United States. In Africa, with Morocco and Tunisia, and at the initiation stage with Algeria and Egypt. In Asia, also at the initiation stage, with Japan and People's Republic of China. Technical collaboration agreements have also been signed with practically all of the Latin American railway companies.

At European level, Adif participates in the main bodies promoting railway modernisation and running projects aimed at achieving this modernisation. Adif also participates in European Economic Interest Groups (EEIG), which develop projects related to international railway corridors and Trans-European Transport Networks.

Agreements and protocols have been signed and developed with the following entities: Tunisia Railways (SNCFT), Russian Railways Company (RZD), Moscow Railway Engineering University, Morocco Railway Company (ONCF), Turkish Railways (TCDD), Polish Railway Infrastructure Manager (PKP PLK), Northern Columbia Railways (FENOCO) (1999-2010), Chilean Railway Company (EFE) (2002-2010) and Valley of Mexico Suburban Railway (2006-2009).

Agreements are also expected to be signed with: the Japanese Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency (JRTT), and Chinese and Algerian railways. We also provide institutional support for the Spanish railways sector in international activities in Brazil, the United States, Saudi Arabia, India, Algeria, Slovenia and countries already mentioned in the list of signed agreements.