Articles | Volume 26, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-26-299-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-26-299-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| Highlight paper
| 
20 Jan 2026
Research article | Highlight paper |
| 20 Jan 2026
| 20 Jan 2026
The first Earthquake Early Warning System for the high-speed railway in Italy: enhancing rapidness and operational efficiency during seismic events
Simona Colombelli
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Physics, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Aldo Zollo
Department of Physics, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Francesco Carotenuto
Department of Physics, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Alessandro Caruso
Department of Physics, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
RFI – Rete Ferroviaria Italiana S.p.A., Rome, Italy
Luca Elia
Department of Physics, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Gaetano Festa
Department of Physics, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Sergio Gammaldi
Department of Physics, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
INGV – Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Napoli, Osservatorio Vesuviano, Naples, Italy
Antonio Giovanni Iaccarino
Department of Physics, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Giovanni Iannaccone
Department of Physics, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Alberto Mauro
RFI – Rete Ferroviaria Italiana S.p.A., Rome, Italy
Matteo Picozzi
Department of Physics, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
OGS – Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e Geofisica Sperimentale, Trieste, Italy
Giulia Polimanti
RFI – Rete Ferroviaria Italiana S.p.A., Rome, Italy
Rosario Riccio
Department of Physics, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
INGV – Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Napoli, Osservatorio Vesuviano, Naples, Italy
Stefania Tarantino
Department of Physics, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
INGV – Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, L'Aquila, Italy
Francesco Cirillo
RFI – Rete Ferroviaria Italiana S.p.A., Rome, Italy
Andrea Vecchi
RFI – Rete Ferroviaria Italiana S.p.A., Rome, Italy
Franco Iacobini
RFI – Rete Ferroviaria Italiana S.p.A., Rome, Italy
Related authors
No articles found.
Guido Maria Adinolfi, Raffaella De Matteis, Rita de Nardis, and Aldo Zollo
Solid Earth, 13, 65–83, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-65-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-65-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We propose a methodology useful to evaluate (1) the reliability of a focal mechanism solution inferred by the inversion of seismological data and (2) the performance of a seismic network, operated to monitor natural or induced seismicity, to assess focal mechanism solutions. As a test case, we studied the focal mechanism reliability by using synthetic data computed for ISNet, a local seismic network monitoring the Irpinia fault system (southern Italy).
Cited articles
Allen, R. M. and Melgar, D.: Earthquake early warning: Advances, scientific challenges, and societal needs, Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci., 47, 361–388, https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-earth-053018-060457, 2019.
Bernard, P. and Zollo, A.: The Irpinia (Italy) 1980 earthquake: Detailed analysis of a complex normal faulting, J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth, 94, 1631–1647, https://doi.org/10.1029/JB094IB02P01631, 1989.
Bindi, D., Pacor, F., Luzi, L., Puglia, R., Massa, M., Ameri, G., and Paolucci, R.: Ground motion prediction equations derived from the Italian strong motion database, Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, 9, 1899–1920, https://doi.org/10.1007/S10518-011-9313-Z, 2011.
Chiarabba, C., De Gori, P., Cattaneo, M., Spallarossa, D., and Segou, M.: Faults Geometry and the Role of Fluids in the 2016–2017 Central Italy Seismic Sequence, Geophys. Res. Lett., 45, 6963–6971, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL077485, 2018.
Chiaraluce, L.: Unravelling the complexity of Apenninic extensional fault systems: A review of the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake (Central Apennines, Italy), J. Struct. Geol., 42, 2–18, https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JSG.2012.06.007, 2012.
Choi, S., Lee, B., Kim, J., and Jung, H.: Deep-Learning-Based Seismic-Signal P-Wave First-Arrival Picking Detection Using Spectrogram Images, Electronics, 13, 229, https://doi.org/10.3390/ELECTRONICS13010229, 2024.
Clinton, J., Zollo, A., Marmureanu, A., Zulfikar, C., and Parolai, S.: State-of-the art and future of earthquake early warning in the European region, Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, 14, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-016-9922-7, 2016.
Colombelli, S., Caruso, A., Zollo, A., Festa, G., and Kanamori, H.: A P wave-based, on-site method for earthquake early warning, Geophys. Res. Lett., 42, 1390–1398, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014GL063002, 2015.
Cremen, G. and Galasso, C.: Earthquake early warning: Recent advances and perspectives, Earth Sci. Rev., 205, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2020.103184, 2020.
Cremen, G., Galasso, C., and Zuccolo, E.: Investigating the potential effectiveness of earthquake early warning across Europe, Nature Communications, 13, 1–10, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-27807-2, 2022.
D'Amico, M., Felicetta, C., Russo, E., Sgobba, S., Lanzano, G., Pacor, F., and Luzi, L.: Italian Accelerometric Archive v 3.1, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Dipartimento della Protezione Civile Nazionale [data set], https://doi.org/10.13127/itaca.3.1, 2020.
Erdik, M., Fahjan, Y., Ozel, O., Alcik, H., Mert, A., and Gul, M.: Istanbul earthquake rapid response and the early warning system, Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, 1, 157–163, https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024813612271, 2003.
European Commission: Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), HORIZON 2020 – WORK PROGRAMME 2014–2015 General Annexes, Extract From Part 19 – Commission Decision C, Bruxelles, 4995 pp., https://www.cesaer.org/content/10-library/2021/technology-readiness-level/h2020-wp1415-annex-g-trl-en.pdf (last access: 4 December 2025), 2014.
Faenza, L. and Michelini, A.: Regression analysis of MCS intensity and ground motion parameters in Italy and its application in ShakeMap, Geophys. J. Int., 180, 1138–1152, https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1365-246X.2009.04467.X, 2010.
Firmi, P., Iacobini, F., Rinaldi, A., Vecchi, A., Agostino, I., and Mauro, A.: Methods for managing hydrogeological and seismic hazards on the Italian railway infrastructure, Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, 17, 1651–1666, https://doi.org/10.1080/15732479.2020.1822883, 2020.
Flammini, F.: Sistemi di controllo per l'Alta Velocità ferroviaria, Mondo Digitale, 9, 18–32, 2010.
Galli, P. and Galadini, N. F.: Seismotectonic Framework of the 1997–1998 Umbria-Marche (Central Italy) Earthquakes, Seismological Research Letters, 70, 417–427, 1999.
Gorini, A., Nicoletti, M., Marsan, P., Bianconi, R., De Nardis, R., Filippi, L., Marcucci, S., Palma, F., and Zambonelli, E.: The Italian strong motion network, Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, 8, 1075–1090, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-009-9141-6, 2010.
Iwata, N., Yamamoto, S., Korenaga, M., and Noda, S.: Improved Algorithms of Seismic Parameters Estimation and Noise Discrimination in Earthquake Early Warning, Quarterly Report of RTRI, 56, 291–298, https://doi.org/10.2219/RTRIQR.56.4_291, 2015.
Kanamori, H.: Real-time seismology and earthquake damage mitigation, Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci., 33, 195–214, https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.earth.33.092203.122626, 2005.
Lakušić, S., Haladin, I., and Vranešić, K.: Railway infrastructure in earthquake affected areas, Gradjevinar, 72, 905–921, https://doi.org/10.14256/JCE.2967.2020, 2020.
Laroche, F. and Guihéry, L.: European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS): Supporting competition on the European rail network?, Research in Transportation Business & Management, 6, 81–87, https://doi.org/10.1016/J.RTBM.2012.12.006, 2013.
Le Guenan, T., Smai, F., Loschetter, A., Auclair, S., Monfort, D., Taillefer, N., and Douglas, J.: Accounting for end-user preferences in earthquake early warning systems, Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, 14, 297–319, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-015-9802-6, 2016.
Li, B., Fan, L., Jiang, C., Liao, S., and Fang, L.: CSESnet: A deep learning P wave detection model based on UNet
Lomax, A., Satriano, C., and Vassallo, M.: Automatic picker developments and optimization: Filterpicker-A robust, broadband picker for real-time seismic monitoring and earthquake early warning, Seismological Research Letters, 83, 531–540, https://doi.org/10.1785/gssrl.83.3.531, 2012.
Luzi, L., Hailemikael, S., Bindi, D., Pacor, F., Mele, F., and Sabetta, F.: ITACA (Italian ACcelerometric Archive): A web portal for the dissemination of Italian strong-motion data, Seismological Research Letters, 79, 716–722, https://doi.org/10.1785/gssrl.79.5.716, 2008.
Minson, S. E., Baltay, A. S., Cochran, E. S., Hanks, T. C., Page, M. T., McBride, S. K., Milner, K. R., and Meier, M. A.: The Limits of Earthquake Early Warning Accuracy and Best Alerting Strategy, Sci. Rep., 9, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-39384-y, 2019.
Minson, S. E., Cochran, E. S., Wu, S., and Noda, S.: A Framework for Evaluating Earthquake Early Warning for an Infrastructure Network: An Idealized Case Study of a Northern California Rail System, Front. Earth Sci. (Lausanne), 9, 450, https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2021.620467, 2021.
Nakamura, Y.: On the urgent earthquake detection and alarm system (UreDAS), Proc. 9th World Conf. Earthq. Engr., 6, 1–6, https://www.iitk.ac.in/nicee/wcee/article/9_vol7_673.pdf (last access: 4 December 2025), 1988.
Nakamura, Y. and Saita, J.: UrEDAS, the earthquake warning system: Today and tomorrow, in: Earthquake Early Warning Systems, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-72241-0_13, 2007.
Pacor, F., Paolucci, R., Luzi, L., Sabetta, F., Spinelli, A., Gorini, A., Nicoletti, M., Marcucci, S., Filippi, L., and Dolce, M.: Overview of the Italian strong motion database ITACA 1.0, Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, 9, 1723–1739, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-011-9327-6, 2011.
Rados, J., Rados, B., and Kolar, V.: European Train Control System, Annals of DAAAM and Proceedings of the International DAAAM Symposium, 277–301, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-14509-4_7, 2010.
Rovida, A., Locati, M., Camassi, R., Lolli, B., and Gasperini, P.: The Italian earthquake catalogue CPTI15, Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, 18, 2953–2984, 2020.
Sato, T. and Hirasawa, T.: Body Wave Spectra From Propagating Shear Cracks, Journal of Physics of the Earth, 21, 415–431, https://doi.org/10.4294/JPE1952.21.415, 1973.
Satriano, C., Wu, Y. M., Zollo, A., and Kanamori, H.: Earthquake early warning: Concepts, methods and physical grounds, Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 31, 106–118, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2010.07.007, 2011.
Strauss, J. A. and Allen, R. M.: Benefits and Costs of Earthquake Early Warning, Seismological Research Letters, 87, 765–772, https://doi.org/10.1785/0220150149, 2016.
Stucchi, M., Meletti, C., Montaldo, V., Akinci, A., Faccioli, E., Gasperini, P., Malagnini, L., and Valensise, G.: Pericolosità sismica di riferimento per il territorio nazionale MPS04, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), https://doi.org/10.13127/sh/mps04/ag, 2004.
Tan, M., Hu, Q., Wu, Y., Lin, J., and Fang, X.: Decision-making method for high-speed rail early warning system in complex earthquake situations, Transportation Safety and Environment, 6, https://doi.org/10.1093/TSE/TDAD034, 2024.
Yamamoto, S. and Tomori, M.: Earthquake Early Warning System for Railways and its Performance, Journal of JSCE, 1, 322–328, https://doi.org/10.2208/JOURNALOFJSCE.1.1_322, 2013.
Yu, H., Ma, Y., and Yu, T.: High-Speed Railway Earthquake Early Warning Testing System Based on LabVIEW, Advances in Transdisciplinary Engineering, 34, 45–54, https://doi.org/10.3233/ATDE230008, 2023.
Zhang, G., Yang, L., and Jiang, W.: Key technologies of earthquake early warning system for China's high-speed railway, Railway Sciences, 3, 239–262, https://doi.org/10.1108/RS-11-2023-0046, 2024.
Zhu, J., Sun, W., Li, S., Yao, K., and Song, J.: Threshold-based earthquake early warning for high-speed railways using deep learning, Reliab. Eng. Syst. Saf., 250, 110268, https://doi.org/10.1016/J.RESS.2024.110268, 2024.
Zhu, W., Liu, K., Wang, M., and Koks, E. E.: Seismic Risk Assessment of the Railway Network of China's Mainland, International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 11, 452–465, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13753-020-00292-9, 2020.
Executive editor
This study presents the first end-to-end Earthquake Early Warning system designed specifically for Italy’s high-speed railway. It details the full implementation process, demonstrating the technical and operational complexities of integrating real-time seismic alerts with rigid railway control interfaces capable of triggering automatic emergency braking. The successful pilot application has led the Italian railway company (Rete Ferroviaria Italiana, RFI) to prepare for expansion of this system to additional high-speed rail segments across the national network.
This study presents the first end-to-end Earthquake Early Warning system designed specifically...
Short summary
The first Italian Earthquake Early Warning system protects the Naples-Rome high-speed railway by detecting earthquakes in real time and sending alerts within seconds. Using seismic sensors and smart algorithms, it slows or stops trains only where needed, avoiding full-line shutdowns. Directly linked to train control, it boosts safety and minimizes disruption during potentially damaging earthquakes.
The first Italian Earthquake Early Warning system protects the Naples-Rome high-speed railway by...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint