Genoa hosts the first digital simulation and coordination centre for a cutting-edge national network

Genoa, 21 April 2026

FS Engineering, the engineering company of the FS Group, has officially inaugurated its first national digital simulation and coordination centre in Genoa. This pioneering technology hub is dedicated to testing, commissioning and validating railway signalling systems. The new digital infrastructure enables complex operational scenarios to be replicated in a controlled environment, supporting innovation and reinforcing safety standards across the entire nationwide rail network.

The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Edoardo Rixi, the FS Engineering Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Dario Lo Bosco and the FS Engineering President Laura Martiniello. To all intents and purposes, the Centre acts as a virtual operations room, replicating the exact workstations of Traffic Controllers and Central Operations Managers to simulate signalling equipment and safety protocols under real-world operating conditions.

Utilizing advanced server clusters, workstations and simulators, the facility enables the emulation of the entire architecture of signalling systems from central computerised equipment to the most modern ERTMS technology. The network, coordinated from Genoa with satellite links to Bologna, Rome, and Naples to cover the entire country, the hub can test in advance complex configurations and scenarios, by simulating critical faults and emergency scenarios, in a 100% safe environment, ensuring no disruption to actual passenger services.

“There are achievements that represent more than just a corporate milestone; they are a leap forward for the country. The inauguration of FS Engineering’s new digital simulation and coordination centre is one such achievement—a place where a new vision for safety and innovation in the Italian railway system is becoming a reality,” said Dario Lo Bosco.

The introduction of these advanced simulation environments marks a profound methodological shift: safety system testing is now front-loaded and transferred from the field to the laboratory. This transition significantly reduces lead times, costs, and service disruptions while maintaining the highest standards of reliability. The Genoa center, alongside the three other facilities established to date, provides critical support to Technical Verification Committees in achieving SIL4 (Safety Integrity Level 4) - the most rigorous international safety standard in the railway industry.

This new digital infrastructure solidifies FS Engineering’s position as a premier high-tech hub serving the nation. By seamlessly integrating innovation, methodology, and engineering expertise, the company continues to drive the safety, efficiency, and modernization of Italy's rail network - reinforcing the FS Group’s standing as a leading architect of innovation within the European Union.

The Genoa Simulation Centre represents a strategic investment in the future of mobility and the culture of prevention. It is a cornerstone of FS Engineering’s nationwide digital expansion - uniting our hubs in Rome, Bologna, and Naples - to gradually build a comprehensive Digital Twin of the Italian railway network. This integrated technological ecosystem places innovation at its core, our people as the drivers of change, and safety as an uncompromising value.

Through this initiative, FS Engineering reaffirms its commitment to Italy’s infrastructure development. By merging multidisciplinary expertise with advanced technology, the company delivers an industrial vision centred on quality, sustainability, and excellence across the national rail system.