The European rail community gathered on board the European Train heading to InnoTrans 2026 The European rail...
Press Release – European Train: Europe on the way to InnoTrans 2026
read more
Optimised Turnout for Sustainable and Efficient Railways
Challenge
Railway infrastructure needs to deliver reliable performance while keeping lifecycle and maintenance costs under control. Turnouts are particularly important in this respect, as their complex design and exposure to high dynamic loads make them demanding components to maintain. Improving their durability and performance can therefore bring significant benefits throughout their service life.
The solution
Innovated through Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail), this solution optimises track stiffness to improve load distribution within the turnout. It also contributes to reducing CO₂ emissions over the turnout lifecycle and helps extending its service lifetime.
Readiness for Industrialisation and Deployment
The solution is already being tested in a specific market (e.g. freight, passenger) and is available for integration.
Maturity level
TRL 7/8.
Expected benefits
The solutions improves turnout performance, while reducing maintenance and needs and increase availability. At the same time, lower CO₂ emissions during production contribute to a more sustainable railway infrastructure.
Who benefits
Infrastructure managers
Railway operators
Conclusion
By optimising track stiffness and load distribution, the solution provides a more durable and efficient turnout, helping to reduce maintenance needs and increase availability. At the same time, lower CO₂ emissions during production contribute to a more sustainable railway infrastructure.
Learn more about the project
FP3-IAM4RAIL
This solution has been developed within the Europe’s Rail (EU-Rail) Flagship Project FP3-IAM4RAIL. The project FP3-IAM4RAIL focuses on seven different integrated demonstrators for rail assets which are key for research and innovation in the rail sector.