Siemens is to migrate EBS interlockings in the Netherlands (EBS: Elektronische Beveiliging Siemens), using Simis W electronic interlockings. A corridor approach will be adopted, which means that a number of interlockings are grouped together with each group being upgraded with Simis W software and hardware. A general agreement to this effect was signed by Siemens Transportation Systems and the Dutch railway infrastructure company Railinfrabeheer in November 2002. The previous intensive cooperation between Siemens and Railinfrabeheer will thus be continued for several years to come.

The first phase of the project involves upgrading several EBS interlockings in the VleuGel corridor to the south of Utrecht. Completion of this long-distance transport corridor is scheduled for 2011. In the course of this phase the Houten interlocking to the southeast of Utrecht will also be upgraded and go into operation as early as 2005. As a result of this corridor approach, it will not be necessary to adapt the interlockings on an individual basis. The general agreement stipulates the prices of other interlockings to be upgraded, an advantage for the customer because it facilitates his costing considerably. The agreement also includes the job of adapting the Simis W interlocking to Dutch requirements and to the components which are typical of the country. The general agreement is extremely important for Siemens, given the latter's goal of developing the Netherlands into one of its most regular markets.

Simis W, standing for "Siemens safety microcomputer system for the world market" is a modular electronic interlocking. It is a more highly developed version of the Simis-type interlocking by Siemens, which has been on the world market for a long time now and has proven its worth over many years of use. At the present time, more than 3,000 Simis computers are in operation all over the world. The Simis W is characterized by its cost-efficient investment requirement and low life-cycle costs. Another great advantage is that the SIMIS W can be flexibly adapted to the respective local conditions and to the individual needs of different customers. Simis W interlockings are presently being used or are under construction in Great Britain, Poland, Romania, and China, to name just a few countries which want to take advantage of this system. In the Netherlands, SIMIS W interlockings are also being built for the HSL Zuid high speed line (completion date 2006).