Hitachi Rail, in partnership with Invest Ontario, is investing more than $100m in urban rail signalling technology development.

The money will be used to create communications-based train control (CBTC) for urban rail operators in Canada and globally. The R&D programme will integrate AI and 5G technology.

Hitachi Rail aims to develop its SelTrac CBTC technology, which will integrate artificial intelligence (AI), 5G communications, edge and cloud computing. The system should offer transit operators worldwide lower costs, reduced carbon footprint and an enhanced passenger experience.

The investment includes the expansion of Hitachi Rail’s workforce in Toronto, Ontario, creating 100 jobs and retaining 1000 skilled positions in its York Mills office, including R&D and engineering roles.

“The over $100m investment in the next generation of our world-leading SelTrac technology is hugely exciting, and we are grateful to the government of Ontario and Invest Ontario for their support,” said Ziad Rizk, managing director for urban rail signalling at Hitachi Rail (www.hitachirail.com). “By integrating AI, 5G, edge and cloud computing, our system will allow urban rail transportation operators around the globe to improve passenger journeys and operate more efficiently. This Ontario-invented technology is a Canadian success story that is creating jobs and boosting economic growth.”

CBTC is a modern urban signalling system that uses wireless communication between trains and infrastructure to operate urban transit and subway systems more efficiently and safely than conventional signalling. SelTrac, invented in Ontario, is a moving block CBTC signalling system, currently operating in more than 100 lines in 40 major cities around the world including the O-Train in Ottawa.

Ontario, home to one of the largest tech clusters in North America, is renowned for its strength in AI, automation and connectivity technologies. The province’s expertise in smart mobility, combined with Hitachi Rail’s global competence centre, makes Ontario a natural place to develop digital technology for urban rail and metros.

“As one of the largest and most sought-after tech hubs in North America, Ontario is driving the development of next-generation technologies that will strengthen economic growth across key sectors, including automation and transportation,” said Vic Fedeli, Canadian minister of economic development, job creation and trade. “Through Invest Ontario, we are proud to support Hitachi Rail’s expansion in Toronto and thank them for choosing our province as the ideal place for their continued growth and success.”

The company’s York Mills office in Toronto serves as its engineering centre of excellence, equipped with the latest facilities including labs, testing areas and simulation environments.

This expansion adds to Hitachi Rail’s growing presence in Canada that includes around 1200 employees across the country, who are delivering and maintaining major transit projects in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Ottawa. Toronto is home to the company’s international urban transit signalling technology business, as well as large programme teams based downtown and in Mississauga that are delivering major transit infrastructure, such as the Ontario Line and Hurontario.

“Our government is investing $70bn in the largest transit expansion in North America, connecting millions more Ontarians to reliable and affordable public transit,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, minister of transportation. “Today’s announcement means Hitachi Rail will be helping even more workers gain the critical expertise needed to deliver Ontario’s generational projects.”

Jennifer Block, interim CEO of Invest Ontario, added: “Hitachi Rail’s investment is a testament to Ontario’s strengths in future technologies that are transforming industries from manufacturing to transportation. We are excited to support the company in advancing a made-in-Ontario technology that keeps cities around the world on the move.”

In support of this investment, Ontario is providing $4.5m in funding through the Invest Ontario Fund (www.investontario.ca).