OPTIO

OPTIO is CAF's Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) system, developed with the clear aim of improving urban and suburban mobility.

The demographic growth of cities has triggered new challenges in terms of mobility and sustainability, making public transport a fundamental pillar in building more practical and environmentally friendly urban environments. The constant expansion of metropolitan areas and the increasing flow of passengers from suburban regions demand efficient intermodality and connectivity between different modes of transport. In this context, OPTIO emerges as an essential ally in elevating railway infrastructures to the next level.

OPTIO addresses the need to modernise and optimise transport networks, leveraging its flexibility, adaptability, and scalability. This system has been designed to overcome the challenges posed by the increasing demand for urban mobility, providing solutions that exceed expectations. All of this is achieved while complying with key safety standards such as EN50126, IEC62290, and IEEE1474.

Trains equipped with OPTIO integrate a range of advanced technologies that ensure operational efficiency and precision. From on-board control units to train integrity detection systems, driver-system interfaces, advanced communication systems, and a diverse range of odometry, each component is designed to guarantee precise train localisation at all times. Additionally, Eurobalises installed on the tracks maximise the accuracy of train positioning, further enhancing the system’s safety and efficiency.

The state-of-the-art digital interlocking, which controls and monitors the status of field elements, and the Zone Controller, receive precise information about the location of each train via the on-board control units and the train-to-ground wireless communication system. With this information, the Zone Controller determines and distributes the movement authority to all trains in the network, ensuring safe, optimal, and coordinated operation. In the Operations Control Centre, operators have real-time access to all this data, allowing them to manage the network and fleet in a dynamic and efficient manner, adjusting the number of trains in service according to passenger demand.

Unlike conventional signalling systems, where trains move based on the occupancy of fixed sections of the track, OPTIO is a signalling system based on the moving block principle, where trains move according to their real position and can travel as close as to the rear of the preceding train. This enables trains to operate at intervals as short as 60 seconds, translating into greater flexibility and capacity to transport passengers, meeting even the most demanding urban mobility needs. This approach enhances transport efficiency while also significantly contributing to urban sustainability.

At CAF, we are driven by a deep commitment to people and to improving our cities and the planet. With OPTIO, we not only optimise railway operations but also contribute to energy savings of over 20%, while strictly meeting punctuality and reliability criteria. These achievements result in more efficient, safer public transport services with exceptional regularity.

OPTIO has been designed and developed to meet the needs of all types of clients and railway operators, from deployments to modernise existing lines to installations on new lines. Furthermore, it can operate at different levels of automation, from having a driver in the cab to fully unattended operation.

At CAF, we are convinced that the cities of tomorrow will be greener, more connected, and more human. And OPTIO is the key to making this vision a reality.

Your CBTC option.