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          Innovation Pillar

          EU-Rail’s Innovation Pillar (IP) is tasked to deliver operational and technological solutions that contribute to a more efficient, flexible, and demand-led, yet safe and environmentally sustainable European railway system.

          Discover System pillar

          System Pillar

          The System Pillar provides governance, resource, and outputs to support a coherent and coordinated approach to the evolution of the rail system and the development of the system view.

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          Discover Deployment Group

          Deployment Group

          The Deployment Group advises the EU-Rail Governing Board on the market uptake of rail innovation developments and support their deployment.

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          Explore the DAC Delivery Programme

          For a successful and effective implementation of the Digital Automatic Coupler for European rail freight (DAC), it is of crucial importance to have open, close and efficient cooperation between rail stakeholders. The European DAC Delivery Programme enabled by Europe’s Rail, offers a unique European platform for such cooperation and collaboration.

          Discover Shift2Rail

          The Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking is the predecessor programme of the Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail), established by Council Regulation (EU) 2021/2085 of 19 November 2021.

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        • Projects

          Discover detailed information on Europe's rail innovation initiatives, showcasing flagship and other projects aimed at enhancing rail systems across Europe. It highlights collaborative efforts funded by the European Union to develop sustainable, efficient, and competitive rail transport solutions.

           

          Solutions catalogue

          Europe’s Rail Catalogue of Solutions illustrates successful R&I results in the form of possible products and solutions, while highlighting the benefits for final users, operators, infrastructure managers and/or suppliers. This publication also outlines the advantages of integrating demonstrators into market solutions so that they can deliver the rail innovation Capabilities of the future.

        • Who we are?
          About Europe's Rail

          Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail) is the European partnership on rail research and innovation established under the Horizon Europe programme (2020-2027) and the universal successor of the Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking.

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          Discover Europe's Rail Members

          Find out the full list of Europe's Rail Members.

          Discover Structure of Governance

          Discover the full structure and governance of Europe's Rail, including the decisions of the Governing Board.

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          Discover Reference Documents

          Get access to Europe's Rail main reference documents, including Annual Work Plans, Annual Activity Reports, Annual Accounts and other important information.

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          Annual Work Plan and Budget

          Annual Activity Report

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          Functioning of the Europe's Rail JU

Increasing railway line capacity starts with increased automation

An important aspect of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) is its ability to meet increasing demand for better on-time performance, line capacity, and energy optimised driving.

While the answer is automation, thequestion remains: ‘how much’?

The ‘how much’ is indicated by the Grade of Automation (GoA), with GoA1 being a train with no automation and GoA4 indicatinga train that is automatically controlled without any onboard staff.

Automation defined

Automatic Train Operation (ATO) is a method of operating trains automatically where the driver is either not required at all or serves a supervisory function at most.

ATO over European Train Control System (ETCS) is a system that allows trains to drive automatically while adhering to timetables and European signalling.

Potential benefits of ATO over ETCS

  • Has the potential to help railway operators increase capacity and optimise existing networks.
  • Will allow trains to run at closer intervals, which can improve passenger service.
  • Can reduce energy use, lower operating costs, improve punctuality, and provide smoother, more comfortable journeys for passengers.

The Challenge

Leveraging the full potential of ATO over ETCS will require a higher grade of automation. But this first requires the development and validation of appropriate ATO over ETCS standards applicable to all types of rail lines.

Enter Europe’s Rail.

EU-Rail delivered a solid basis for future standard specifications for ATO over ETCS (up to GoA3/4) and
demonstrated that the specifications were practicable and interoperable.

Specified

Key Finding

A set of specifications known as ATO GoA2 allows railway undertakings and
infrastructure managers to start deploying ATO.

Fast Fact

The TD developed a detailed specification at higher grades of automation that includes a perception component and an automatic processing module.

Did You Know?

These two components help automate several functions that are currently performed by a driver.

Demonstrated

Key Finding

An ATO over ETCS up to GoA3/4 technical demonstrator (TD) was prepared for a real railway line.

Fast Fact

8 different configurations were successfully integrated, with each configuration using devices that are interoperable, interchangeable, and able to provide basic functionality.

Did You Know?

Two remote driving configurations were successfully tested in such operational situations as passing an unprotected level crossing and reacting to an obstacle.

Conclusion

Achieving higher grades of automation with ATO up to GoA3/4 will reduce headways and increase line capacity, improve the performance of railway traffic, and lower operational costs.

Who benefits

Infrastructure managers, railway operators, suppliers, and final users.

Infrastructure managers

Railway operators

Suppliers

Final users

Europe's Rail