Hybrid Virtualized Testing for Certification of EGNSS in Railway Train Positioning

Project Information

VICE4RAIL

Grant agreement ID: 101180124

DOI

10.3030/101180124

EC signature date 17 September 2024

Start date 1 October 2024

End date 30 September 2027

Funded under

• Digital, Industry and Space

Total cost

€ 2 695 986,25

EU contribution

€ 2 267 387,88

Coordinated by

RETE FERROVIARIA ITALIANA
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - VICE4RAIL (Hybrid Virtualized Testing for Certification of EGNSS in Railway Train Positioning)

Reporting period: 2024-10-01 to 2026-03-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The European railway sector is undergoing a profound transformation driven by the objectives of the European Green Deal, the Digital Europe strategy, and the deployment of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS). Achieving higher capacity, improved safety, and full interoperability across national borders requires reliable and accurate train localization solutions that go beyond conventional trackside technologies.
Satellite-based positioning using EGNSS represents a promising enabler for future railway operations. However, the adoption of EGNSS in safety critical rail applications is still limited by technical challenges and the absence of a standardized, cost effective, and certifiable validation framework capable of demonstrating compliance with railway safety requirements.
VICE4RAIL addresses this gap by developing a hybrid virtualized testing approach for EGNSS based train positioning systems. The project aims to support the safe integration of satellite positioning into ERTMS by combining real field data, virtual simulations, and advanced error modelling into a testing environment.
The overall objective of VICE4RAIL is to contribute to the definition of a European certification methodology for GNSS enabled train localization, enabling safer, more interoperable, and future proof railway systems. By reducing dependency on extensive physical testing while maintaining high safety integrity, the project is expected to support cost effective deployment, accelerate innovation, and facilitate large scale adoption of EGNSS technologies in the European railway network.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

VICE4RAIL has carried out a structured set of activities to establish the technical and methodological foundations required for the future certification of satellite based train positioning systems.
The initial focus of the project was the definition of rail user and system requirements supporting EGNSS based localisation solutions. This activity established a clear and shared reference framework for the development of the hybrid testing environment.
Based on these requirements, a comprehensive analysis of technical and operational risks related to the use of satellite positioning was conducted. This work enabled the identification of key risk factors, forming a solid basis for a consistent and structured certification approach.
Building on the consolidated requirements, a proposed certification strategy was developed, illustrating how railway safety requirements can be addressed within the VICE4RAIL framework. In parallel, common elements across certification processes in different transport sectors were analysed, highlighting opportunities for harmonisation and reuse of certification principles.
The project then progressed to system design activities, representing one of the most complex phases of the work. This included the definition of the overall architecture of the VICE4RAIL framework and the conceptual model of the hybrid virtualized testing environment (HyVICE platform). Significant effort was dedicated to integrating requirements, certification needs, and testing constraints into a coherent architectural solution, which will enable realistic experimentation activities in the next phases of the project. In addition, a complete set of system and interface requirements was formalised, ensuring consistency and readiness for detailed design, testing, and implementation.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

VICE4RAIL builds on the current state of the art in satellite based train positioning, considering recent research and system developments within the European railway domain. These activities have highlighted the potential of EGNSS technologies and the need for robust validation and certification approaches suitable for safety critical railway applications. In line with current developments in Advanced Safe Train Positioning (ASTP), conceived as an interoperable onboard Command, Control and Signalling component independent from ERTMS/ETCS.
Beyond existing practices, VICE4RAIL introduces a hybrid validation methodology combining real railway data and virtual testing. This approach enables system level assessment under realistic and degraded operating conditions that are difficult to reproduce through field testing alone. By doing so, the project provides a coherent and forward looking contribution to ongoing developments in satellite based train positioning, supporting future experimentation, certification, and operational deployment within the ASTP framework.