Regional rail services / Innovative rail services to revitalise capillary lines

DESTINATION 6 – Regional rail services / Innovative rail services to revitalise capillary lines

Regional railway (lower usage lines or secondary network) plays a crucial role not only in serving Europe´s regions but also as feeder lines for passenger and freight traffic for the main/core network. Hence, having an essential function as green transport and connecting other public transport services (e.g. bus) as well as first & last mile services such as car, bike sharing, cycling, walking from railway stations to remote locations. However, these railway lines need to be revitalized or even regenerated to make them economically, socially and environmentally sustainable and meet the current customer needs. The overall objective is to ensure long term viability of regional railways by decreasing the total cost of ownership, in other words, cost per kilometre both in terms of OPEX and CAPEX, while offering a high quality of service and operational safety as well as better customer satisfaction.

These goals are expected to be achieved through a concept tailored to regional railways that includes digitalisation, automation and utilisation of mainstream and emerging technologies for signalling and trackside components, rolling stock and customer information.

The outcome and demonstrated solutions shall not only be applicable for specific lines or regions but be adequately scalable and interoperable to become a European solution. Furthermore, proposed solutions and technologies could be applied to provide a more cost-efficient infrastructure in other settings. In addition standardised solutions for specific regional railways that are not functionally / operationally connected with mainline network might apply or for the purpose of pilot applications with the perspective of a further development for global application.

The selected proposal for funding under this Destination will be a Flagship Project of Europe’s Rail with significant expected impacts, which require an integrated sector systemic approach. Proposals, should therefore set out a credible pathway (including an exploitation plan) to contributing to the following expected impacts as described in the Master Plan.

Proposals under this Destination should set appropriate monitoring and demonstration activities to measure the following KPIs:

Regional System Solutions, CCS & Operations and Regional Railway Assets

• Reduced CAPEX of the CCS system, while maintaining or increasing the present safety level:
  • Expected decrease by targeting 25%.
• Reduced the CAPEX of radio network and allowing for higher savings due to the utilization of public radio network in low density lines:
  • Expected decrease by targeting 15%.
• Increased system availability due to reduced trackside asset failure and more reliable CCS (Average delay minutes per assets and signalling failures):
  • Expected increase by targeting 10%.
• Reliable cost-effective fail safe on board train integrity, train length detection and train positioning:
  • Increased reliability by targeting 15%,
  • Reduced OPEX and CAPEX by targeting 15%.
• Optimized energy consumption and higher punctuality through ATO over ERTMS targeting GoA4:
  • Expected decrease of energy consumption targeting 10%,
  • Increased punctuality targeting 15%.
• Reduced OPEX costs/km (reduction expected due to trackside asset decrease) for trackside railway assets:
  • Expected reduction of targeting 30%.
• Reduced OPEX costs/km (reduction expected due to trackside asset decrease) for trackside railway assets:
  • Expected reduction of targeting 30%.
• Increased energy efficiency for trackside railway assets (as part of the OPEX saving above, not to be added on top):
  • Expected increase by targeting 15%.

Rolling Stock & Customer Services

• Reduced vehicle CAPEX & OPEX through innovative, modular and lighter design:
  • Targeting 50% reduced CAPEX and OPEX, in a LCC perspective.
• Notwithstanding the previous KPI, passenger vehicles development should aim for step changes in weight reduction and track force reduction, while being tolerant to higher unevenness of the tracks:
  • up to 60% of weight reduction.

Expected Outcome:

Building upon the results of S2R as well as EU-member states rail research and innovation activities, the Flagship Project stemming from this topic is expected to contribute specifically in regional solution linked to system architecture approaches, CCS & Operations, rail infrastructure assets, Rolling Stock as well as customer Services.

Solutions should demonstrate that costs for these areas can be lowered and that solutions can be subsequently deployed under operational conditions. Thus, the main focus of this project is to develop in all areas solutions which can be demonstrated under lab-conditions and deployed in an operational environment in a subsequent, fully integrated demonstrator project.

The Flagship Project stemming from this topic is expected to contribute to Europe’s Rail Programme with the following outcomes:

• possible operational adaptation of the proposed solution to meet the specific requirements of low density lines,
• demonstration of the possibility of scaling up as a European solution,
• develop solutions up to proof of concept
• demonstrate solutions in laboratory conditions up to in real operational conditions,
• demonstration of the feasibility of proposed technical solutions and preparatory work for fully integrated demonstrator under operational conditions set for the future.

System, CCS & Operations

In order to reach a cost efficient and customer centric regional system solution, the actions stemming from this destination should define the necessary system requirements (technical and operational) which will be integrated and used by the other FAs in their relevant developments on TMS, CCS and vehicles as well as a data sharing and analysis platform. Hence, a strong involvement of actions from the relevant destinations is required and needs to be secured.

The action stemming from this destination should will also provide relevant input in the area of regional lines to the System Pillar activities.

Assets

Building upon the work developed within S2R and other research and innovation activities, this destination will focus on developing cost-efficient components including wireless and energy self-sufficient infrastructure components to decrease the operational and overhead cost.

Assessment of using multimodal (rail/road) fuelling stations for regional services taken into consideration input from other Destination should be also covered.

Rolling Stock

Building upon the work developed in S2R and other research and innovation activities, this destination should develop design concepts of a light vehicle base and various modular concepts to be adapted for flexible rail passenger (up to 100 passengers) services with particular focus on the development of a light vehicle due to wireless solutions, on-board information systems and modular vehicle architecture (e.g. for interiors, allowing easy customisation of lay-out, suitable for various operators and line characteristics). The solutions should also be environmentally friendly as well as ensuring interoperability and/or high level of standardisation for regional lines also with no or limited connection to mainline traffic.

Customer Service

In addition, building upon the work developed within S2R and other research and innovation activities, the action stemming from this destination should should contribute to develop and/or demonstrate highly accurate multimodal passenger service information on-board and/or at railway stations (including people and goods management) to allow for a smooth journey from railway to other modes and vice versa to bridge the challenging last-mile issue in regional areas. Intelligently match demand in regional areas to create flexible time-schedules solutions, e.g. in case of events.

Integrated demonstrator preparatory work

An important outcome of this destination is the preparatory work for integrated demonstrators up to TRL8 within the duration of the programme to showcase a high number of solutions developed and adapted for regional services can be deployed under operational conditions. In particular taking into account the European dimensions.

The Flagship Project stemming from this topic shall deliver, by 2025 demonstrations under the following scenarios:

Regional Railway System (CCS & Operations) Demonstration

Demonstrators linked to technical enablers developed within Destination 6:

• Demonstrate a single integrated Operations Control Center (OCC) covering interlocking, radio blocking and traffic management for regional lines that are not functionally/operationally connected with mainline (TRL 4/5).
• Demonstrate simple on-track radio network based on the findings in destination 2 related with cost effective communications, supporting all FRMCS applications, minimizing civil works and energy consumption, to the achievement of cost effective Gigabit Train, the use of public network coverage and compatibility with main lines (TRL4/5)

Demonstrator linked to technical enablers developed within Destination 1:

• Demonstrate a specific application for Traffic Management Systems for regional lines improving resilience of a connected rail network, optimizing train operations including disturbing events taking into account high/low-demand situations (disturbance and distraction) (TRL 5).

Demonstrators linked to technical enablers developed within Destination 2:

• Demonstrate a specific application for safe environment perception solutions, including signal reading and obstacle detection, supporting cooperative awareness, supported by virtual certification (TRL5)
• Demonstrate the suitable application of FRMCS specifications, V2X, 5G considering the economic viability for regional lines (TRL5)
• Demonstrate a specific application for absolute train positioning highly accurate and safe, incorporating new sensors for regional use (TRL5)
• Demonstrate a specific application for train integrity for regional trains (TRL 5)
• Demonstrate a specific application for Train length detection for regional trains (TRL4)
• Demonstrate the suitability of a digital platform for CCS validation & TSI certification and authorization for Regional Lines (TRL5).

This requires a strong involvement of and interaction between actions from relevant other destinations but also provides relevant input in the area of Regional Lines (e.g. characterization of existing regional lines across Europe and future expectations and high level requirements) to the System Pillar activities.

Assets Demonstration

• Demonstrate a systemic approach with the implementation of different railway assets in particular for cost-efficient wireless, energy self-sufficient wayside components in particular CCS track-side components (e.g. switches, level crossings) and if applicable for track vacancy detections and signalling shall be evaluated and demonstrated (TRL4/5).

Suitable customer services

• Demonstrate cost-efficient integration of on-board information of multimodal services integrating regional multimodal services such as carsharing (TRL4/5)
• Demonstrate passenger congestion rate monitoring, flow optimization application as well as a low-cost passenger information system for regional services developed within this action (TRL4/5)

The action to be funded under this Destination shall also provide technical and operational requirements (and all necessary elements) for the for the developments of “Destination 1” enablers 1, 3, 4, 5, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 23 and 27 to be developed under the action to be funded under Destination 1 - Network management planning and control & Mobility Management in a multimodal environment and Digital Enablers.

The action to be funded under this Destination shall also provide technical and operational requirements (and all necessary elements) for the for the developments of “Destination 2” enablers 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 14 to be developed under the action to be funded under Destination 2 – Digital & Automated up to Autonomous Train Operations.

The action to be funded under this Destination shall also provide technical and operational requirements (and all necessary elements) for the for the developments of “Destination 4” enablers 2 and 3 to be developed under the action to be funded under Destination 4 – A sustainable and green rail system :

The Flagship Project stemming from this topic shall develop under the following capabilities the enablers and any other which may contribute to deliver the aforementioned expected outcome:

CCS & Operations

1. Develop a destination 6 specific application based on respectively improving generic application developed in destinations 1 and 2 of several technical enablers and components for a cost-efficient performant control command and signalling system adapted to Regional Lines. Individual (non- integrated) technical enabler demonstrations in this first Call (TRL4/5).
2. Develop a single integrated Operations Control Centre (OCC) covering interlocking, radio blocking and traffic management for regional lines that are not functionally/operationally connected with mainline. This integrated OCC will reduce the software and hardware compare to traditional non integrated architecture while ensuring the same safety level (TRL4/5 in 2025).

The Flagship Project stemming from this topic shall develop the functional and operational requirements related to the area of CCS and operations as specified in the Expected outcome above.

Asset

1. Develop based on the work of S2R _{^{[ETALON (D4.1 and D6.1): https://projects.shift2rail.org/s2r_ip2_n.aspx?p=S2R_ETALON}}

   _{^{X2Rail-4 (D11.1): https://projects.shift2rail.org/s2r_ip2_n.aspx?p=X2RAIL-4}}

   _{^{In2Track (D2.3): https://projects.shift2rail.org/s2r_ip3_n.aspx?p=IN2TRACK}}

   _{^{Smart2 (D1.2): https://projects.shift2rail.org/s2r_ip5_n.aspx?p=S2R_SMART2]}}, infrastructure components and wayside elements focused on Regional Railway cost drivers (e.g. level crossings, switches) which are energy self-sufficient and/or wireless enabled (by using the simplified communication system developed in CCS and Operations; enable remote control or full or partial automation and/or autonomous operation (TRL4/5 in 2025). In addition, develop novel concepts to decrease costs of the whole life cycle cost of those wayside elements, covering all phases from design to maintenance considering the regional specificities (TRL3 in 2025).

The Flagship Project stemming from this topic shall develop the functional and operational requirements related to the area of Assets as specified in the Expected outcome above.

Rolling Stock

1. Concept of modular light-weight vehicle and/or with alternative propulsion system (TE: light, flexible and modular vehicle) TRL3 by 2025 applicable for both regional lines with or with no/limited connection to mainline traffic. This could include the following areas:

• Verification of applicability of the regulatory framework and proposed adjustment if applicable (e.g. LOC-PAS, ENE TSIs, certification and authorisation processes for vehicles operating on regional lines with no or limited connection to mainline traffic)
• Application of components allowing a force-flow optimised modular lightweight design, assuming an adjustment of the provisions in the respective TSIs
• Design oriented to reduce cabling, distributed both inside the Car and along the whole Train (building upon the result of S2R TD1.2 _{^{[CONNECTA-2 (D1.1): https://projects.shift2rail.org/s2r_ip1_n.aspx?p=CONNECTA-2]}})
• Multimodal interior for fast changing interior (e.g. bike-racks, increased seating, freight).
• Apply and adapt Virtualisation of Rolling Stock based on S2R results concerning High SIL Brake Control and Adaptive Adhesion control systems _{^{[CONNECTA (D5.1 and D5.2) https://projects.shift2rail.org/s2r_ip1_n.aspx?p=CONNECTA ]}} develop a vehicle design to replace HW components (pneumatics, electro-pneumatics and mechanics) with embedded software and electronics, with a consequent reduction of cost, cabling/piping, weight and maintenance effort (TRL5 by 2025).

1. Develop a concept for alternative fuelling/charging stations for regional railway being interoperable with other road/rail vehicles (TRL3 by 2025).

The Flagship Project stemming from this topic shall develop the operational and functional requirements related to the area of Rolling Stock as specified in the Expected outcome above.

Customer service

1. Develop cost-efficient integration of on-board information of multimodal services integrating regional multimodal services such as carsharing (TRL5 by 2025). Developments need to take into account solutions stemming and related to work on the ontology networks that have been produced in previous Shift2Rail _{^{[Connective (D1.5): https://projects.shift2rail.org/s2r_ip4_n.aspx?p=CONNECTIVE]}} to align with CEN standards such as Transmodel as well as with the connections to National Access Point (TRL7 by 2025).
2. Based on the work developed in S2R _{^{[In2Stempo (D6.1): https://projects.shift2rail.org/s2r_ip3_n.aspx?p=IN2stempo and Fairstation D4.2 https://projects.shift2rail.org/s2r_ip3_n.aspx?p=FAIRSTATIONS]}}, develop passenger congestion rate monitoring, flow optimization application as well as a low-cost passenger information system (by e.g. also using train positioning, FRMCS) for regional services while integrating multimodal services at railway stations. Such an application will be using the developments done in Destination 1 in the context of multimodal timetable integration. (TRL6 by 2025)

The Flagship Project stemming from this topic shall develop the functional and operational requirements related to the area of Customer service as specified in the Expected outcome above.

Developments on all those enablers should also cover important preparatory works with higher TRL for the future set of demonstration foreseen in the Multi- annual Work programme in view of the evolutions of the solutions.

Integrated demonstrator preparatory work

Deliver a list of requirements and an implementation plan of activities for delivering at least one integrated demonstrator per line type (interoperable, functionally separated), which will showcase the demonstration of solutions in real operational environment on at least two Regional Lines.

The action shall actively contribute to measure and monitor the specific quantitative KPIs defined in the Destination description above, including its contribution to the Europe’s Rail Master Plan impacts.

The action shall actively contribute to the EU-Rail standardisation rolling development plans wherever relevant. Similarly, the action shall contribute to the development and implementation of EU policy and legislation including Technical Specifications for Interoperability and Common Safety Methods, as well as to publications of the System Pillar.

Collaboration work required with other FAs

The action to be funded under Destination 6 should foresee developing a deliverable capturing specific requirements described in the Expected scope and relevant for the action to be funded under Destination 1, Destination 2, and Destination 4, suggested to be delivered indicatively by M6.

The action to be funded under Destination 6 shall foresee a common activity/task related to the review of system specifications to be developed by the action to be funded under Destination 1, Destination 2, Destination 4.

The action to be funded under Destination 6 shall foresee a common activity/task related to the Preparatory works on the integration and pilot test(s) of the technical enablers to be provided by the action to be funded under Destination 1, Destination 2, Destination 4 for the demonstration to be carried out in the action to be funded by Destination 1, Destination 2, Destination 4.

Interaction with the System Pillar

The System Pillar aims to guide, support and secure the work of the Innovation Pillar (i.e. to ensure that research is targeted on commonly agreed and shared customer requirements and operational needs, compatible and aligned to the system architecture), and the Innovation Pillar will impact the scope of the System Pillar where new technologies or processes mean that innovations can drive a change in approach, as well as delivering detailed specifications and requirements.

In this respect, the proposal should allocate necessary resources that would be dedicated to areas linked to the System Pillar conceptual and architecture works – particularly addressing specification development (the interaction is illustrated in the System Pillar – Innovation Pillar interaction note (Annex VI of this Work Programme)). The alignment of the activities will primarily take place during the Grant Preparation Phase and ramp up phase of the awarded proposal, and there will be continued, structured and regular interaction through the life of the project

Gender dimension

In this topic the integration of the gender dimension (sex and gender analysis) in research and innovation content is not a mandatory requirement.

Activities are expected to achieve a minimum between TRL 5 and TRL 7, depending on the enabler addressed, or higher by the end of the project – see General Annex B for a guide to the TRL definitions and criteria to be used.

Digital Agenda