With a focus on research and innovation, Europe’s Rail is closing the implementation of the Shift2Rail Programme with concrete results that contribute to a major transformation of the rail system.

Europe’s position as a global leader in railway manufacturing was built from a bedrock of innovation. So, when facing increasing competition, it only made sense that the European Union – through the Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking – lean into innovation to maintain that competitive edge. With the new Europe’s Rail JU established in November 2021 as legal and universal successor of the Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking, a new programme aims at delivering, via an integrated system approach, a high capacity, flexible, multi-modal, sustainable and reliable integrated European railway network by eliminating barriers to interoperability and providing solutions for full integration, for European citizens and cargo. 



By leveraging Europe’s prowess for research and innovation, the Joint Undertaking set out to deliver the most sustainable, cost-efficient, high-performing, time-driven, digital, competitive and customer-centred mode of transportation in Europe. Whether it be by decreasing lifecycle costs, increasing capacity or improving punctuality, each of the innovations highlighted here has played an important role in delivering on this mission. 

Copyright: Wabtec

Solving multimodal travel’s silo problem

For passengers, trying to plan a multimodal journey is a frustratingly fragmented process involving numerous digital platforms and several service providers. But thanks to the work of the Shift2Rail supported Innovation Programme 4 (IP4), this could potentially change. 

With the goal of positioning rail as the backbone of a multimodal world, IP4 developed the silo-shattering Travel Companion, which does not require a change in the legacy system for the travel service providers and is scalable at European level. The intuitive web-based system, also available as a mobile app, serves as a one-stop-shop for seamlessly planning and managing a multimodal journey. It offers a suite of services for all stages of a trip, including before, during and after. This includes a comprehensive Journey Planning function for building a door-to-door plan utilising all available modes of transport, from train to bus, bike- and car-sharing and even going by foot.  The solution is based on the IP Ecosystem, which makes use of the Ontology approach to facilitate the integration of any kind of Transport Service Provider (TSP) without the need for time-consuming custom integrations. On top this, it also allows the operators to define Mobility Packages, following the concept of Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS). The whole ecosystem provides lower barrier to join the multi-modal mobility offerings, which is crucial especially for smaller service providers. 

Once the trip is planned, customers can use the same solution to book tickets and make reservations, all of which are conveniently stored within the application. When it’s time to go, passengers can once again rely on their Travel Companion to monitor for delays or disruptions and, if needed, make immediate adjustments. 

Copyright: Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking 

The next big step towards full automation 

Instead, ATO will be implemented incrementally through different levels of automation, starting with Grade of Automation 2 (GoA2) developed in Shift2Rail, and already implemented in the European regulation, and working up towards GoA4, where the train is automatically controlled without any onboard staff. 

GoA2 is a level of automation that is quickly becoming a reality. Spearheaded by the Shift2Rail Innovation programme 2 (IP2), the initiative developed the standard specifications needed to start the process of migrating ATO towards GoA2. Amongst these specifications are such ATO functions as Timetable Speed Management (TTSM), Supervised Speed Envelope Management (SSEM) and Automatic Train Stopping Management (ATSM), along with automatic Timing Point Management capabilities like stopping point (arrival and departure time), passing point (passing time), dwell time computation and doors opening and closing.

As a result of this work, infrastructure managers and railway companies can now utilise automatic driving to reduce operating costs and increase transport capacity. In fact, RER A in Paris is already operating in GoA2 and, as a result, has reduced travel times by 10%. But most importantly, the initiative has helped lay the groundwork for a smooth migration to full automation.

Flagship Project 3: IAM4RAIL

Optimising operations with an Intelligent Asset Management System 

Irregularities such as debris or dirt on the tracks or a mechanical malfunction can bring public transport to a screeching halt. Not only does it disrupt the effected line, it can have a cascading effect that causes delays across the entire urban transport system. 

The key to preventing such system-wide issues is predicting when they will happen – which is exactly what Intelligent Asset Management Systems (IAMS) such as the one developed by the Shift2Rail supported IN2SMART2 project do. The project developed an innovative IAMS equipped with decision support methodologies and algorithms for anomaly detection. 

The platform, which is currently in use on Milan’s Line 5 metro, uses track circuit monitoring to identify potential false occupancies. It also leverages machine learning models to accurately predict anomalies that could disrupt service and impact passengers. Together, these capabilities allow the infrastructure manager to remotely monitor the diagnostic status of the track circuits and schedule maintenance accordingly. 

The IAMS also features anomaly detection models for forecasting degradation of train wheels, statistical analysis of the most frequent alarms and the most degraded assets, decision support system functions for alternative maintenance scheduling based on an asset’s status, and an integrated human machine interface customised to specific user needs. 

Optimising operations with an Intelligent Asset Management System 

Irregularities such as debris or dirt on the tracks or a mechanical malfunction can bring public transport to a screeching halt. Not only does it disrupt the effected line, it can have a cascading effect that causes delays across the entire urban transport system. 

The key to preventing such system-wide issues is predicting when they will happen – which is exactly what Intelligent Asset Management Systems (IAMS) such as the one developed by the Shift2Rail supported IN2SMART2 project do. The project developed an innovative IAMS equipped with decision support methodologies and algorithms for anomaly detection. 

The platform, which is currently in use on Milan’s Line 5 metro, uses track circuit monitoring to identify potential false occupancies. It also leverages machine learning models to accurately predict anomalies that could disrupt service and impact passengers. Together, these capabilities allow the infrastructure manager to remotely monitor the diagnostic status of the track circuits and schedule maintenance accordingly. 

The IAMS also features anomaly detection models for forecasting degradation of train wheels, statistical analysis of the most frequent alarms and the most degraded assets, decision support system functions for alternative maintenance scheduling based on an asset’s status, and an integrated human machine interface customised to specific user needs. 

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