Home Innovation on the railway Artic Test Arena on Ofotbanen and Malmbanan

Artic Test Arena on Ofotbanen and Malmbanan

Artic Test Arena is an international test arena for developing railway technology under Arctic conditions on Ofotbanen and Malmbanan.

An Initiative for the Future

Arctic Test Arena is a Nordic collaboration for the development of railway technology — aiming to

  • improve operational reliability
  • increase resilience to extreme weather and climate change
  • promote innovation and collaboration between industry and research
  • make testing accessible, relevant, and cost-effective

A Full-Scale Test Environment

The test arena stretches 473 km — from the ice-free port of Narvik to the industrial city of Luleå — and operates year-round under extreme climatic conditions.

Why test here?

  • The line handles some of the heaviest trains in Europe.
  • The combination of snow, cold, and challenging topography offers unique testing conditions.
  • Cross-border operations enable testing across different regulations and systems.
  • Full-scale testing in real-world conditions ensures robust, reliable solutions.

Focus Areas

  • sensors and real-time data collection
  • AI-based monitoring and decision support
  • infrastructure and track maintenance in harsh winter climates
  • rolling stock and heavy freight trains
  • climate resilience and robustness

«If it works here, it works everywhere»

Official European Launch

Date and time

4 November 2025

Location

Narvik

Type

Arctic train journey with expert presentations and live demonstrations along Ofotbanen and Malmbanan.

A Strong Nordic Collaboration

The test arena is developed by Norwegian and Swedish actors in close collaboration: Bane NOR, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, SINTEF, City of Narvik, Luleå Railway Research Center (JVTC), and Luleå University of Technology (LTU).

It is coordinated by Europe’s Rail JU at the Norwegian Railway Directorate.

Key Contacts:

  • Bane NOR: Rune Brannfjell, Tor Gunnar Pedersen, Svetlana Lorentzen
  • SINTEF: Rune Nilsen, Stefan Paul K. Abrahamsson
  • UiT: Leif-Gunnar Hanssen, Dag Arne Granberg, Jørn Eldby
  • JVTC: Veronica Jägare
  • LTU: Ramin Karim, Matti Rantatalo, Gabriel Sas, Ulla Juntti
  • Europe’s Rail / Jernbanedirektoratet: Ann Kristin Bjerknes, Preben Sæthre, Stefano Derosa
Bane NOR logo
Europe's Rail logo

Contact the project manager

Ann Kristin Bjerknes

Ann Kristin Bjerknes