Our EU-Rail FP4-Rail4EARTH project’s Task on “Further Improvement of Noise Source Characterisation” has successfully concluded with its final plenary meeting, marking an important milestone in the benchmarking of methodologies for the exterior aeroacoustic noise characterisation of rolling stock, including applications to acoustic virtual validation. The work of this task followed two major themes: aeroacoustic source characterisation and simulation-versus-testing study. The partners were able to establish a State-of-the-art overview of simulation capabilities, to clearly identify the strengths and limitations of numerical methods and furthermore to contribute to the development of a standardisation framework for virtual aeroacoustic noise validation.

As our EU-Rail NEXUS project approaches the culmination of its work, two new videos offer an inside look at the project’s achievements and future impact.  

Through interviews with consortium partners, viewers can discover how advanced digital twins, system modelling, optimisation methods, cybersecurity strategies, predictive maintenance, 5G connectivity and adaptive metro technologies are transforming urban rail operations.

Explore how the knowledge, tools and technologies developed within NEXUS are creating lasting value for transport operators and contributing to more sustainable, connected and passenger-centred mobility systems across Europe.

As Europe prepares for the future deployment of Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC), several complementary initiatives, including EDDP, FP5-TRANS4M-R, DACFIT and FP5-DACtiVat, are working together to support its development and roll-out.

To help stakeholders navigate this complex transformation, the DACFIT project, in collaboration with experts from across the sector, has compiled a comprehensive FAQ covering more than 150 questions on DAC technology, deployment, migration, financing, policy, and operational challenges.

The resource provides a valuable overview of the current state of rail freight transport, ongoing European initiatives, technical solutions, migration pathways, and the broader legal, market and industrial considerations surrounding DAC implementation.

Our EU-Rail SYMBIOSIS project held its online Plenary Meeting on 18 June as an open event, bringing 50 participants including project partners, members of the Advisory Board, Technical Stakeholder Group, and other interested experts.  

 During the meeting the EU-Rail Project Officer welcomed participants and emphasised the growing importance of biodiversity in transport infrastructure and the relevance of SYMBIOSIS in supporting European biodiversity objectives. Partners presented the latest developments across the different work packages, highlighting recent technical achievements and ongoing activities.  

Particular attention was given to fostering dialogue between the project consortium and the stakeholder including through interactive question-and-answers. This encouraged the exchange of experiences, knowledge and perspectives to support more environmentally friendly transport infrastructure and operations.  

Four abstracts have been submitted to the IENE Conference 2026 (21–25 September, Bristol, UK), including a proposal for a 90-minute interactive session entitled “Integrating Biodiversity into Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Insights from the SYMBIOSIS Project”.  

An online workshop on integrating biodiversity into company strategies, procurement processes, and supply chains will take place on 9 July. Through cooperation and stakeholder engagement, SYMBIOSIS contributes to more sustainable and resilient transport systems across Europe.

The EU-Rail FRMCS Deployment Group released the second edition of its FRMCS Deployment Questionnaire in early June 2026. Distributed through representative associations, the questionnaire is designed to gather up-to-date information on stakeholder intentions and readiness in advance of FRMCS deployment. 

Building on the success of the 2025 survey, the 2026 edition has been updated and expanded in scope. It now includes additional stakeholder categories, notably Public Mobile Network Operators (P-MNOs) and Notified Bodies (NoBos). 

An online information session on 24 June clarified the questionnaire’s structure and content, ensuring a common understanding among all participants. 

 Results will be compiled in a report due in mid-September 2026 and will contribute to updating the Advice to the ERA. A high response rate is essential to developing recommendations that accurately reflect deployment realities across Europe. 

To participate, complete the survey at the following link and send it to  

On 16 June 2026, two FP5-FDFTO Sounding Boards were held within the framework of the DAC Deployment Group (formerly EDDP). The events brought together representatives from across the European rail freight ecosystem, including the railway industry, NSAs and railway workers. 

The first Sounding Board focused on DAC technology and operations. The second addressed workers’ and unions’ perspectives, with ETF (The European Transport Workers’ Federation) participants from several countries attending.  

The Sounding Boards included webinars on FP5-TRANS4M-R and DAC developments and visits to the Train Test Lab in Berlin-Spandau. High demand led to in-person registrations filling up weeks in advance. Approximately 40 attendees observed the live demonstration of DAC technology on wagons and engaged directly with FP5-TRANS4M-R experts.  

Lively discussions and numerous questions during the FP5-TRANS4M-R presentations on DAC and hybrid coupler specifications, energy and data systems, train functions, testing and demonstrations reflected participants’ strong interest in the DAC technology and its deployment. 

DAC Deployment Group – FP5 FDFTO Sounding Boards enable railway stakeholders to become acquainted with upcoming innovations and the latest developments at an early stage in a transparent way and to provide valuable feedback to the project. The next Sounding Board will take place on 16 November 2026. 

On 17 June, the EU-Rail FRMCS Deployment Webinar brought together more than 200 railway stakeholders from across Europe to review progress and address key implementation challenges in the rollout of the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS). 

Pascal Désaunay, Director of International Projects at SNCF Groupe and member of the EU-Rail FRMCS Deployment Group Management Team, set the stage with a presentation on the Group’s strategic role in facilitating a structured, sector-wide transition to FRMCS, a system designed to serve the full scope of European rail operations, both passenger and freight. 

David Rothbaum, Director of Business Development, Mission Critical Networks at Ericsson and EU-Rail FRMCS Deployment Group Principal Consultant for Rail Digitalisation and Mission-Critical Networks, provided an update on the status of the technical deployment guidelines currently under development. 

As part of the 2026 Status of FRMCS Deployment series, the webinar addressed a range of implementation challenges, including radio coexistence, rooftop antenna installation constraints on rolling stock, RMR–MNO considerations in cross-border environments, migration scenarios, and the mapping of non-MCX/non-ETCS FRMCS-using applications. 

Working group updates reinforced the breadth of the coordination effort, covering technology, finance, legal, and deployment dimensions, all aligned with the wider European rail modernisation agenda, including ETCS and Digital Automatic Coupling. A lively Q&A session followed, during which participants raised a wide range of questions, reflecting their strong interest in the topics discussed. 

Is Innovation Europe’s Biggest Rail Challenge, or Is Operational Implementation? In the latest volume of the Global Railway Review, Karel van Gils, Senior Programme Manager and Seconded National Expert at EU-Rail, argues that the most pressing challenge lies in bridging the gap between the twodeplo 

Drawing on sharp, practical insight, he examined why translating railway digitalisation ambitions into operational reality is far more complex than it appears, and what it concretely takes to get there. 

Key takeaways from his analysis: 

• The shift from GSM-R to FRMCS (5G) is now fundamentally an execution challenge, not a strategic one. 
• Migration must be treated as a core system design discipline, not an afterthought. 
• A phased, stepwise approach consistently outperforms the “big bang” model: stable hardware first, incremental software upgrades after. 
• The EU-Rail Deployment Group plays a critical role in translating technical frameworks into practical operational guidance for DAC and FRMCS deployment. 
• The sector’s missing piece is not knowledge or will: it is a structured, migration-centred implementation approach.

On 9 June, the eleventh plenary meeting of the FRMCS Deployment Group was held, focusing on national FRMCS deployment plans and progress in the group’s ongoing activities. 

A key part of the meeting was devoted to national deployment plans. Mats Malmström (Trafikverket) presented the Swedish FRMCS deployment approach, while Joost van Gennip (NS), Jos Nooijen (ProRail) and Johanna Nes (Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure) introduced the Dutch plan. Discussions highlighted common challenges related to migration timelines, rolling stock adaptation and overall feasibility. 

The group also reviewed progress across the FRMCS working groups. Updates covered technical, cost-modelling and migration-related workstreams, including the development of the cost model, transversal activities, and the deployment survey, risk assessment and programme dashboard. 

The meeting concluded with an outlook on upcoming milestones and communication activities, including webinars and participation in InnoTrans. 

The EU-Rail NEXUS project is working towards a future where metro systems are technologically advanced, environmentally sustainable, socially responsible, and operationally efficient.

Over the past two years, NEXUS has developed and validated innovative solutions through its use cases in Genoa (Italy) and Sofia (Bulgaria). At its final event, the consortium will present the project’s key results, including:

• Simulation models assessing the impact of fully automated metro operations (GoA4) 
• Optimisation tools to support metro operators 
• AI-based applications for demand forecasting 
• Operational optimisation solutions 
• Vehicle condition monitoring technologies 

The NEXUS Final Event will bring together transport stakeholders, metro operators, researchers, policymakers, and industry representatives to discuss the future of urban rail transport.

Further information regarding the venue, agenda, speakers, and registration will be announced soon.

When: 26 September
Where: Brussels 

Our EU-Rail FP3-IAM4Rail project will host its Final Event in Madrid, bringing together key actors from the European rail sector to present the main results, impacts and future perspectives of the project. 

The event will showcase innovative solutions for Intelligent Asset Management, including project outcomes, live demonstrations of developed tools and platforms, and discussions on how digital technologies can transform rail infrastructure management across Europe. 

It will also offer a unique opportunity to exchange with policymakers, infrastructure managers, industry leaders, researchers and the European railway innovation community. 

When: 27 October | 9:00-18:30 
Where: CEDEX Building, Atocha – Madrid, Spain

Following the success of our EU-Rail FP6-FutuRe Mid-Term event held in September 2025, preparations are now ongoing for the project’s Final Event. 

The Final Event will mark a key milestone for FP6-FutuRe, showcasing the project’s results and the innovative solutions developed to support the revitalisation of regional rail lines across Europe. 

The event will combine the presentation of FP6 outcomes, continuity with the discussions initiated during the Mid-Term round tables, and the demonstration of selected solutions developed within the project. 

Further details on the agenda, venue, and registration will follow shortly. 

EU-Rail and project’s partners look forward to collaborating with you to ensure strong visibility and impact for this important milestone.

When: 4-5 November 2026 
Where: Brussels  

The projects FP5-TRANS4M-R, FP5-DACtiVate, and DACFIT will jointly organise a final event to present their achievements and provide an outlook on future developments. 

When: 17 November 
Where: Nürnberg, Germany 

More information will come soon.