Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FP2 - R2DATO (Europe’s Rail Flagship Project 2 - Rail to Digital automated up to autonomous train operation)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2022-12-01 al 2023-12-31
The FP2 R2DATO project focuses on leveraging digitalization and automation to enhance rail operations, particularly through the development of next-generation Automatic Train Control (ATC) systems, including fully autonomous train operations (GoA4).
The project integrates multiple clusters to achieve these goals:
1. Automation Processes: Focuses on achieving automated to autonomous train operations, developing the related core technologies in connexion with other initiatives such as System Pillar (SP) and Flagship Project (FP) 5 and 6.
2. Optimized Headway: Aims to validate prototypes for the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) game changers in different operational environments, improving train control and braking performance in various operational environments, with mixed radio based ETCS (European Train Control System) levels with Hybrid Level 3,
ETCS L3 moving block, absolute train position, train integrity and train length management, as well as optimized and reproducible braking performance under low adhesion conditions..
3. Enabling Digital Technologies: Develops specifications and validates prototypes related to connectivity (both for train-to-ground communication and onboard communications), modular IT platforms, and the Digital Register (DR) to provide the future-proof connectivity, IT and data platforms required for the automation of rail operations.
4. Fast and Efficient Deployment: Assesses technology for Digital Automatic Train Operation (DATO), aiming for quick deployment and developing guidelines for migration and certification, using innovative modelling techniques for automatic approval and certification.
5. Innovative Operational Solutions: Explores the added values of innovative concepts such as Autonomous Route Setting and Virtually Coupled Train Sets to enhance network capacity and autonomous operations.
6. Demonstrators: Validates the benefits of DATO technologies through demonstrations in controlled environments, focusing on achieving specific Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) and preparing for future full-system demonstrations.
The project integrates multiple clusters to achieve these goals:
1. Automation Processes: Focuses on achieving automated to autonomous train operations, developing the related core technologies in connexion with other initiatives such as System Pillar (SP) and Flagship Project (FP) 5 and 6.
2. Optimized Headway: Aims to validate prototypes for the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) game changers in different operational environments, improving train control and braking performance in various operational environments, with mixed radio based ETCS (European Train Control System) levels with Hybrid Level 3,
ETCS L3 moving block, absolute train position, train integrity and train length management, as well as optimized and reproducible braking performance under low adhesion conditions..
3. Enabling Digital Technologies: Develops specifications and validates prototypes related to connectivity (both for train-to-ground communication and onboard communications), modular IT platforms, and the Digital Register (DR) to provide the future-proof connectivity, IT and data platforms required for the automation of rail operations.
4. Fast and Efficient Deployment: Assesses technology for Digital Automatic Train Operation (DATO), aiming for quick deployment and developing guidelines for migration and certification, using innovative modelling techniques for automatic approval and certification.
5. Innovative Operational Solutions: Explores the added values of innovative concepts such as Autonomous Route Setting and Virtually Coupled Train Sets to enhance network capacity and autonomous operations.
6. Demonstrators: Validates the benefits of DATO technologies through demonstrations in controlled environments, focusing on achieving specific Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) and preparing for future full-system demonstrations.
Work performed and main achievements 2023
Summary by Cluster:
Cluster 1: Automation Processes
Efforts focused on establishing a stable foundation for implementing technical enablers (TEs). Key achievements include knowledge transfer from previous projects like X2RAIL-4, setting a specification baseline for GoA3/4 technologies, and defining use cases for future demonstrations. Safety activities and requirements for the data factory were also initiated.
Cluster 2: Optimized Headway
Work involved consolidating results from external projects to align use cases for train positioning and develop further the train integrity, and train length requirements and architecture. Analysis still underway to further harmonize and support the work for a common overall design and architecture of ASTP (Absolute Safe Train Position). Collaborations with EUSPA and ESA were established to explore EGNOS feasibility. Concerning the new brakes generation, use cases have been exchanged with FP1.
Cluster 3: Enabling Digital Technologies
The focus was on consolidating results from Shift to rail (S2R) for the Future Railway Mobile Communications System (FRMCS). Use cases and requirements have been created for the Onboard Communication Network, the Modular Platform, and the DR., with strong relationships formed with future users (SP, other FP). A task force initiated FRMCS testing.
Cluster 4: Fast and Effective Deployment
Key activities included outlining the DATO business case and defining with FP1 a collaboration map for information exchange. The strategy for virtual certification was developed, and test benches were initiated. Modelling techniques progressed, and DevOps processes were analysed for their applicability.
Cluster 5: Innovative Operational Solutions
Initial efforts centered on establishing a foundation for future activities. Results from past projects were reviewed, and use cases for technologies like Self-Driving Freight Wagons were drafted.
Cluster 6: Demonstrators
Demonstrator activities began with aligning priorities for technical enabler implementation. Specific efforts included a release plan for Moving Block technology, progress on urban tramway automation, and collaboration on the onboard platform. However, the loss of a key SNCF freight locomotive led to significant discussions on redefining the project scope.
Summary by Cluster:
Cluster 1: Automation Processes
Efforts focused on establishing a stable foundation for implementing technical enablers (TEs). Key achievements include knowledge transfer from previous projects like X2RAIL-4, setting a specification baseline for GoA3/4 technologies, and defining use cases for future demonstrations. Safety activities and requirements for the data factory were also initiated.
Cluster 2: Optimized Headway
Work involved consolidating results from external projects to align use cases for train positioning and develop further the train integrity, and train length requirements and architecture. Analysis still underway to further harmonize and support the work for a common overall design and architecture of ASTP (Absolute Safe Train Position). Collaborations with EUSPA and ESA were established to explore EGNOS feasibility. Concerning the new brakes generation, use cases have been exchanged with FP1.
Cluster 3: Enabling Digital Technologies
The focus was on consolidating results from Shift to rail (S2R) for the Future Railway Mobile Communications System (FRMCS). Use cases and requirements have been created for the Onboard Communication Network, the Modular Platform, and the DR., with strong relationships formed with future users (SP, other FP). A task force initiated FRMCS testing.
Cluster 4: Fast and Effective Deployment
Key activities included outlining the DATO business case and defining with FP1 a collaboration map for information exchange. The strategy for virtual certification was developed, and test benches were initiated. Modelling techniques progressed, and DevOps processes were analysed for their applicability.
Cluster 5: Innovative Operational Solutions
Initial efforts centered on establishing a foundation for future activities. Results from past projects were reviewed, and use cases for technologies like Self-Driving Freight Wagons were drafted.
Cluster 6: Demonstrators
Demonstrator activities began with aligning priorities for technical enabler implementation. Specific efforts included a release plan for Moving Block technology, progress on urban tramway automation, and collaboration on the onboard platform. However, the loss of a key SNCF freight locomotive led to significant discussions on redefining the project scope.
During this first year, partners have defined the use cases and started simulations to build prototypes to be tested and evaluated to bring new results, beyond the state of the art, to be exploited by the standardization entities and the industry.
An architecture has been proposed to facilitate the interaction bewteen Work Packages to deliver results in terms of products and solutions that answer the needs of the railway system and its end users.
Key Exploitable Results, are being identified and will start to be available in this second year of the project.
An architecture has been proposed to facilitate the interaction bewteen Work Packages to deliver results in terms of products and solutions that answer the needs of the railway system and its end users.
Key Exploitable Results, are being identified and will start to be available in this second year of the project.