Challenges and Topics

We are approaching the issues of railway research first and foremost from the customer’s point of view, through eight common and innovative challenges:

A. A more and more energy efficient railway

Further improving rails’ green credentials / Keep increasing the relative carbon emission advantage.

B. An environmentally friendly railway

Minimizing rails’ impact on communities and neighbours.

C. Increasing freight capacity and services

Providing customers with more services, added value services in the logistics chain.

D. A world of services for passengers

Improved comfort, information, ticketing, services on board, at stations, while travelling. To meet the increasing expectations of customers.

E. Bringing the territories closer together at higher speeds

Affordable reduced travel time , Influence of higher speeds on travel costs , High speed mobility, seamless travel, integration of modes, infrastructures.

F. Even more trains even more on time

More capacity with better performance to meet growing demand.

G. An even more competitive and cost efficient railway

Lower costs, better and more value adding services.

H. For an even safer and more secure railway

The topics and sub-topics are:

System integration and interaction

• Whole system design and modelling
• Aerodynamics
• Noise and vibration
• Electromagnetic compatibility
• Pantograph/catenary interaction
• Wheel / rail interface
• Vehicle / track dynamics

Infrastructure

• Electrification and catenary
• Track components
• Structures (bridges, tunnels…)
• Signalling
• Condition monitoring, inspection, innovative detection technologies
• Maintenance
• High reliability / availability infrastructure
• Adaptation to climate change

Operation

• Train control and signalling
• Route conception/design and Planning/scheduling and timetabling optimization
• Traffic Supervision /management
• Revenue optimization
• Network capacity
• Satellite applications
• Use of IT and telecoms for customers services
• Level crossings
• Stations and hubs

Rolling Stock

• Rolling stock design : components and structure
• Virtual train conception and testing
• Predictive maintenance (system and detectors)
• Vehicle maintenance and high reliability and availability of rolling stock
• Comfort
• Motorization, alternative energy sources and  management, hybridisation
• IT applications, on board software
• Train control and on board diagnosis
• High speed trains design
• Magnetic levitation

Human Factors

• Human reliability
• Training and competence
• Risk and safety management
• Sociology of mobility
• Man – machine interfaces, ergonomics