GSS EU Science Funding Gateway

The focus is on the ability to capture and share information securely across the entire rail system lifecycle, including operation, of rail assets. The objective is to enhance the capability for automated and unmanned inspection and monitoring, evolving towards non-invasive and self-diagnostic systems with no or minimal service disruptions.

Building upon the work delivered by IP35 in S2R and other research and innovation, the focus is on the capability of making decisions in an advanced, automated, centralised, and holistic manner, considering the different assets, actors, standards, and regulations, especially combining track and rolling stock data. Furthermore, Digital Twins and enhanced visualisation techniques shall be exploited to support decision-making. This outcome has a clear focus on the development of newly deployed components for the rail system with a LCC and system performance approach. Furthermore, in conjunction with the following capability, the use of additive manufacturing techniques shall be addressed, as well as the use of self-healing techniques and materials. The objective is the development of capabilities for remote, automated, and unmanned intervention actions in rail systems. This shall make use of various technologies, including from other industries, such as robotics and wearable devices to support rail personnel, improve safety and increase the efficiency of intervention tasks.

The demonstrators for innovative solutions shall have several operational differences to be covered, including:

• Climate. The proposed solutions shall have to be able to take into account the wide variety of European climate types.
• Line type. Demonstrators shall address high speed, conventional, regional, suburban and freight lines.
• Traffic type. Demonstrators shall cover passenger, freight and mixed lines.
• Asset type. Infrastructure and rolling stock shall be addressed jointly whenever possible considering all assets, including track, civil structures, earthworks, signalling, vehicles, track side, stations or power infrastructures.
• Planning level. demonstrators shall cover the Strategic Asset Management Plan level (SAMP), the Asset Management Plan level (AMP) and the Implementation of the Asset Management Plan level (IAMP).