GMV signs its first transportation contract in Colombia to manage the trams of Medellín’s Metro Line 80

Siemens has selected GMV’s SAE-R® automatic vehicle location (CAD/AVL) system to oversee the tram operations for the Metro de la 80 project in Medellín, Colombia. This project marks a significant milestone for GMV, as it represents the company’s first venture in the public transportation sector in Colombia and its first collaboration with Siemens and CRRC (China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation). With this award, GMV also expands its portfolio of rolling stock manufacturer clients in the rail sector, joining leading companies that already rely on its technology such as Alstom, CAF, Stadler, Pesa, and Talgo.

Following a private tender process, Siemens awarded GMV the package that includes both the automatic vehicle location (CAD/AVL) system and the service planning system. The Mass Transit Company of the Aburrá Valley, known as Metro de Medellín, awarded the civil works and train acquisition contract to the “Unión Temporal Metro de la 80,” which includes Chinese manufacturer CRRC Co. Limited, responsible for supplying the trains. Within the project, Siemens Mobility is participating as a supplier to the Metro de la 80 consortium, delivering the power supply and signaling systems. Metro de la 80, also known as Ecociudad Line E, is a light rail project that will run north to south across Medellín, primarily along Avenida 80, the city’s main western corridor. With a total length of 13.25 km and 17 stations, the line is expected to be inaugurated in 2028.

As part of the project, GMV’s SAE-R® system will enable accurate positioning and real-time fleet monitoring and management through various display modes showing rolling stock and station locations. It will also include graphical tools and advanced functionalities for operations control and analysis of recorded data. Meanwhile, the planning system will allow the definition and editing of standard operating schedules as well as full service plans.

GMV’s system will be installed in 20 double-cab trains, which will be equipped with onboard computers, driver interfaces, and beacon readers, along with the necessary trackside beacons. The project also includes software developments to tailor the solution to the specific needs of Metro de la 80, including advanced regulation functionalities to support real-time decision-making in response to changing demand or emergency situations.

SAE-R® will also be integrated with other systems, both onboard and central, such as the master clock, passenger information systems (both onboard and at stations), the Centralized Traffic Control (CTC), and the Train Control and Management System (TCMS). GMV will also provide service information using standard interfaces such as SIRI and JMS, facilitating integration with third-party applications.

With this project, Metro de Medellín joins a distinguished list of urban transport authorities and operators that trust GMV’s technology, including RENFE and TRAM Barcelona in Spain, as well as international operators such as Warsaw Tramways in Poland, Transport for New South Wales in Australia, ONCF in Morocco, and Metro de Santiago in Chile.

GMV is a global leader in the design, development, implementation, and deployment of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) based on IoT, mobile communications, and GNSS technologies. With over 1,000 clients in 35 countries across 5 continents, GMV’s ITS solutions help transportation authorities and operators improve service quality, reduce operating costs, and increase user satisfaction. The company is known for its strict adherence to industry standards and has experience across all rail modes: tram, light rail, heavy metro, commuter, regional, main-line, high-speed, and freight transport.