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MAGLEV-DERIVED SYSTEMS FOR RAIL 2

Project description

Charting the future of Europe’s rail network

Maglev-derived systems (MDS) foresee the integration of magnetic levitation and linear motor in existing railway network.The EU-funded MaDe4Rail 2 project aims to refine MDS configurations addressing key technical open points identified by previous research projects. Advanced simulations and field test of core subsystems will assess performance and critical physical and electromagnetic interactions. Risk and safety analysis will identify regulatory gaps and standardisation needs, while technical and socio-economic feasibility of deploying MDS on the Trans-European Transport Network will be assessed, creating a European roadmap for deployment. The project’s goal is also to design a fully autonomous MDS demonstrator. Expected impact includes accelerating the deployment of innovative and sustainable solutions, supporting modal shift, reinforcing rail as the backbone of Europe’s mobility.

Objective

The MaDe4Rail 2 project aims to advance the development of Maglev-Derived Systems (MDS) and assess their feasibility for integration into the European railway network. Building on the outcomes of the previous MaDe4Rail project, MaDe4Rail 2 will refine MDS configurations and investigate their compatibility with existing infrastructure, focusing on subsystems such as power, propulsion, levitation and guidance. Through a structured methodology, the project will address key Technical Open Points (TOPs) by developing advanced simulations to analyse vehicle performance, electromagnetic compatibility, and interactions with trackside signalling systems, including Eurobalises, odometry, and radio communication. These studies will be complemented by field testing of core MDS components. Since some performance aspects cannot be fully validated on test tracks, dedicated strategies combining on-field testing and high-fidelity simulations will be used to ensure a robust demonstration and optimal integration. In parallel, a risk and safety analysis will be conducted, and regulatory gaps and standardisation needs will be identified, with particular attention to compliance with the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs). Technical and socio-economic feasibility of deploying MDS on on the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) will be assessed. A concept for a full-scale, fully autonomous MDS demonstrator will be designed, with the architecture developed up to TRL 5. The project will then contribute to a European roadmap for MDS implementation, aligning with the System Pillar and future system requirements. The project’s expected impact includes accelerating the deployment of innovative and sustainable solutions, supporting modal shift, and reinforcing rail as the backbone of Europe’s mobility network. A broad consortium of infrastructure managers, authorities, industry, and research organisations will ensure knowledge exchange and foster MDS uptake across Europe.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-JU-IA - HORIZON JU Innovation Actions

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) HORIZON-JU-ER-2025-01

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Coordinator

RETE FERROVIARIA ITALIANA
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 217 116,46
Address
PIAZZA DELLA CROCE ROSSA 1
00161 Roma
Italy

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Region
Centro (IT) Lazio Roma
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

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Participants (18)

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