On 2–3 December, the Europe's Rail General Assembly 2025 took place, providing a valuable occasion to look back at the...
Europe’s Rail General Assembly 2025
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Among the nine major Flagship Projects (FPs) funded by Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail), FP2-R2DATO plays a key role in the digital transformation of Europe’s railways. Its mission is to implement automatic train operation (ATO) on mainline lines, aiming to boost network capacity and lower operational costs. The acronym “R2DATO” stands for rail to digital and automated up to autonomous train operation, highlighting its ambition to deliver scalable solutions that can enable Grade of Automation 4 (GoA–4), enabling fully driverless trains by 2030. Grade of Automation 4 (GoA–4) means that the train operation is fully unattended including setting a train in motion, driving and stopping the train, opening and closing the doors and operation in the event of disruptions. This technology was illustrated by two major recent demonstration activities: one in the Czech Republic and the other in the Netherlands.
Demonstration 1: Paving the way for fully Automated Train Operation in a regional line
The technical enablers supporting these innovations are being validated through eight demonstrators, including a regional demonstrator, which aims to showcase ATO functionality up to GoA4 in full operation, incorporating both onboard and trackside systems. A key focus is proving that components from various suppliers, such as obstacle detection sensors, perception systems, the automatic driving module and train positioning units can function interchangeably within the same operational environment.
On 11 September 2025, AŽD Praha hosted a group of experts on the 24-kilometer test track between Dolní Bousov and the Kopidlno test line in Czech Republic.
The event featured EDITA, the first autonomous passenger train in Europe to be demonstrated in an open environment. Developed by AŽD Praha with EU-Rail support, the train is fitted with lidar, sensors and front-mounted cameras that allow it to independently detect and respond to trackside obstacles.
This initiative is part of the regional demonstrator and builds on previous ATO testing conducted under Shift2Rail, EU-Rail’s predecessor, funded through the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. It uses the same rolling stock and infrastructure from that earlier phase.
Once the technical enablers have been validated in this regional setting, the outcomes will be passed on to the EU-Rail FP6-FutuRe project. FP6-FutuRe will build on these results to further develop innovative rail services aimed at revitalising Europe’s regional and feeder lines.
Demonstration 2: Testing Remote Train Operation in the Netherlands
FP2-R2DATO is also evaluating how ATO and remote train operation (RTO) can streamline tasks like shunting and train preparation by reducing the need for driver intervention.
Remote-driving technology has already undergone successful trials in Norway, the Netherlands and Switzerland. These pilot projects helped define the digital foundations for sensing, connectivity and control that will enable fully autonomous operations in the future.
Between May and June 2025, CAF’-built New Generation Sprinter EMU from Netherlands Railways (NS) was retrofitted with perception technologies, sensors and other equipment to carry out the tests.
Another major milestone was reached in September 2025 with the successful public demonstration of Remote and Autonomous Shunting and Stabling. The event, hosted in Utrecht, showcased remote operation capabilities from the NS headquarters control centre, which managed a train located 120 kilometres away on the line between Enschede and Hengelo. The demonstration brought together operators, manufacturers and stakeholders from across the rail industry, who were able to witness first-hand the tangible progress being made in railway automation. During the event, two main operational scenarios were demonstrated, highlighting both remote driving (GoA1) and fully autonomous operation (GoA4). The first scenario involved remote-controlled coupling and uncoupling of trains, while the second focused on advanced autonomous functionalities such as cab selection and change management, mission profile execution, automatic driving in compliance with lateral signalling, and real-time obstacle detection, with the system successfully identifying buffer stops, other trains, vehicles and even test dummies along the track. The live demonstration not only confirmed the technical feasibility of remote and autonomous shunting and stabling but also underscored the collaborative and innovative spirit driving the next generation of European rail automation.
Conclusion
FP2-R2DATO is expected to significantly contribute to achieving the EU’s transport policy goals, including a 50% increase in rail freight and a doubling of high-speed traffic by 2030.
About the project: R2DATO’s Broader Mission
The project’s ultimate goal is to support the EU’s broader transport and climate goals by making rail a more attractive and efficient option for both passengers and freight, encouraging modal shift and reducing emissions. To achieve this, FP2-R2DATO is also focused on creating practical guidelines and cost-effective methodologies for deploying ATO across Europe. These recommendations will be shaped by lessons learned from real-world demonstrators and will account for both technical and human aspects to ensure safe, smooth implementation, including migration strategies.
Launched in December 2022 with a budget of €160.8 million, FP2-R2DATO brings together 77 partners working on requirements, specifications, prototypes and demonstrations, some of which will contribute to future update of EU Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI).