Based on current trends and forecasts, the number of passengers will significantly increase in the upcoming decades and the existing transport modes may face capacity limitations without infrastructure investments. Emerging technology for guided transport systems could be a complementary solution for the increased demand, increasing also the availability of sustainable transportation solutions. This topic seeks to enhance the existing railway system by exploring the integration of maglev-derived technologies into existing railway infrastructures to reinforce railways as the backbone of the trans-European multimodal transport network by increasing its capacity and performances.

The technical approach to be developed could support the enrichment of the railway system through the integration of maglev-based solution into the existing infrastructure following a principle of overlapping technological layers. This integration aims to implement technological, functional and performance upgrades to existing lines and to ensure interoperability of vehicles with both the magnetic and traditional infrastructure by preserving the flow of traditional trains on the existing railway corridor.

This call addresses potential solutions which could support solving current transport challenges and make the current rail system more performant by introducing Maglev-Derived transport systems (MDS). Building upon the results of Europe’s Rail MaDe4Rail [https://www.rfi.it/en/Network/in-europe/MaDe4Rail.html] project, this call aims to further assess and propose solutions on the technical open points of maglev derived technologies. In addition, further develop the design concept based on the most promising use cases while tackling the technical issues and analyse the economic viability of the system and propose a full scale fully automated MDS application concept.

The Project stemming from this topic shall address all the following work streams and is expected to provide all the following:

Work stream 1: Configuration design development

This workstream should assess the technical open points defined by the previous project MaDe4Rail and assess the feasibility of use of MDS on the TEN-T lines equipped with ETCS. This shall encompass further analysis of the CCS, communication and infrastructure components with special attention to the balises, radio communication system, odometry and train detection systems. The installation of MDS has an impact on the maintenance processes, further assessment shall be carried and propose adaptation of the existing processes considering the installation of the linear motor.

Work stream 2: Testing and validation

To run MDS on traditional railways, it is essential that the system is compliant with Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI). This workstream shall verify MDS component compliance with TSI specifications through compatibility tests and simulations, also evaluating the potential impact of MDS systems on standards and TSI and the potential evolution of the system or the requirements. If MDS is expected to run on the TEN-T network, compatibility with Eurobalises and the track geometry are prerequisites. Based on the outcome of WS1 and from the testing, the technical and economical variability of the system shall be analysed. At the end of this workstream, a detailed concept architecture (TRL5) for a 1:1 scale MDS demonstrator is expected to be delivered.

The project shall contribute to deliver the expected outcomes and the work of the project should foresee:

Work stream 1: Configuration design development

• Advanced design concept of technical enablers and basic technologies supporting maglev-derived systems (TRL3) to address the following open points. The work should be based on the results coming from MaDe4Rail:
  • Assess the geometric and electromagnetic compatibility for railway infrastructure;
  • Assess the effective max safe, tolerable speed increase in curves, by adjusting cant and cant deficiency through levitation;
  • Assess the track infrastructure adaptation for forces added by new propulsion systems;
  • Assessment of track maintenance procedures to allow the use of linear motors between the rail considering the maintenance regimes, devices to be used and local maintenance regulations.

Work stream 2: Testing and validation

• Based on the results from work-stream 1, test full functionality, performances and safety of an MDS in a laboratory environment up to in relevant environment (TRL5/6). This shall include test related to electromagnetic compatibility test of the balise and the MDS and test of MDS in level-crossing and switches.
• Evaluation the technical and economical feasibility based on the test results;
• Identify the gaps and the potential topics for standardization on safety and security, including impact on existing regulation, in particular on the rail Technical Specification for Interoperability;
• Based on the results of Workstream 1 and 2, propose a detailed architecture concept (TRL5) of a full 1:1 scale fully automated Maglev-derived system including detailed technical, safety, security and performance requirements.

Interactions with other EU-RAIL projects:

The System Pillar will deliver a new functional system architecture for the railway system, which will have an impact on the overall system design, including its interfaces between sub-systems. The action to be funded under this topic should interact with the System Pillar and shall take into consideration the work to be released by the System Pillar and its evolution.

Gender dimension

In this topic the integration of the gender dimension (sex and gender analysis) in research and innovation content is not a mandatory requirement.