Completion of activities for enhanced automation systems (including Freight ATO GoA4), train integrity, object controller (IP2 and IP5). - S2R-CFM-IP2-01-2019

Deadline: Jun 18, 2019  
CALL EXPIRED

SPECIFIC CHALLENGE

The challenge is to contribute to developing an advanced signalling and automation system able to apply the highest grade of automation, to enable trains to self-detect their integrity, to improve and standardise traffic management services, to provide smart radio connected signalling wayside object controllers achieving the requested targets in terms of reliability, enhanced capacity, lower investments, reduced operating costs, improved standardization and therefore simplified certification and authorization needs. Additionally, the Freight ATO activities will validate the applicability of the work for freight operation. The proposals will build and take further work started in X2RAIL-1 (GA 730640) and X2RAIL-2 (GA 777465).

SCOPE

Having regard to the Union policies and targets on decarbonisation, taking into consideration that automation and digitalization are key enablers of a drastic railway system transformation, in order to address the challenges described above, the proposals should address all of the following work streams, in line with the Shift2Rail Multi-Annual Action Plan (MAAP):

Work stream 1

1. TD2.2 – Railway network capacity increase (ATO up to GoA3/4): in line with the S2R MAAP, the scope is to bring to conclusion the activities started in X2RAIL-1. The action will define, develop and test a complete GoA3/4 system prototype applicable within all the market segments (Main Line, High Speed, Regional and Freight). This includes the specification of “obstacle detection” and “track intrusion detection” solutions required for GoA3/4 operation.

In the framework of the introduction of ATO system up to GoA3/4 (TD2.2) the activities are expected to cover the following points:

- Specification of interoperable ATO system up to GoA3/4 (complete set of documents that allows the development and testing of GoA3/4 solution including “obstacle detection” and “track intrusion detection”);

• -  Definition of operation scenarios of ATO system up to GoA3/4 (including obstacle detection and track intrusion);

• -  Development of ATO on-board and trackside interoperable prototypes;

• -  Development of ATO interoperable Reference Test Bench platforms.

• -  Interoperability tests on ATO Reference Test Bench platforms.

Research and innovation activities shall foster the achievement of a ATO GoA 3/4 system prototype able to prove the system features in terms of performance, applicability, adaptability and interoperability. Functional and System specifications shall be defined within a cooperative framework which actively involves Railways (IMs/RUs) and Industries taking into account their needs (e.g. interoperability, modularity, interchangeability, ...), experiences,

competencies in order to cope with the demands and the opportunity of the market (possibly supported by business/societal cases) and enabling seamless operations along European networks. The action shall guarantee the cooperation with the Work-Stream 2 (TD5.3.1 – Freight ATO) and shall implement all the necessary steps to achieving the expected TRL level by means of proved prototypes.

Foreseen achievable Technology Readiness Level: TRL 7

2. TD2.5 – On Board Train Integrity: in line with the actions planned in S2R MAAP, the scope is to bring to conclusion the activities started in X2RAIL-2. The action will define, develop and test a complete On Board Train Integrity system prototype able to be applied in every train typology (Passengers and Freight trains: wired and wireless).

In the framework of the introduction of On Board Train Integrity (OTI) technologies (TD2.5) the activities are expected to cover the following points:

 Complete activities started in X2Rail-2 in relation to Technology Research and Development and Adaptation of existing solutions:

•   Complete laboratory testing activities with mock-ups and related validation tools for freight and regional lines, with the support of new technologies developed in X2Rail-2;

•   Complete laboratory testing activities related to adaptation of existing technologies for wireless communication suitable to NLOS situations, energy harvesting solutions and related energy storage;

•   Complete the RAMS analysis my means of conducting reliability, availability, maintainability, and safety (RAMS) studies in conformity with RAC (Risk Acceptance Criteria) guideline by ERA and CENELEC 50126 standard.

 Demonstration and Assessment:

•   Contribute to the integration and demonstration activities of the OTI prototype for freight & low traffic lines scenarios, starting from the laboratory simulations and tests, to the final test trial in a real environment;

•   Contribute to the development of a demonstration unit suitable for both regional and freight lines;

•   Carry out laboratory tests and pilot line tests on a regional line, using the defined test scenarios and test cases;

•   Perform the preliminary safety assessments of candidate new solution and define the complete test scenarios, test cases and procedures;

•   Define and implement laboratory validation environment for OTI solutions. In

  particular, focus on the integration with the ETCS/ERTMS railway laboratories RailSiTe® and RailDriVE® by defining generic validation and verification processes and proposing standardisation rules for the assessment of the train integrity simulation prototype (an on-train GNSS-based locator, wireless communications);

•   Perform dependability study for the candidate solution, developing the safety integrity level (SIL) allocation methodology to the new train integrity solution on different rail segments, assessing (performance and security evaluation included) innovative wireless communication technologies for train integrity, integrating dependability and safety requirements (e.g. SIL 4 requirements) and contributing to the safety case for certification and authorisation;

The following results shall be achieved as a result of this task:

•  OTI prototypes for both freight and regional lines tested both in laboratory and in field;
•  First Safety assessment.
•  Standardisation proposal:
•  The goal of this task is to provide an analysis of the impacts on the signalling system, by defining a preliminary proposal for standardisation. Since today the train integrity functionality is performed by track side equipment influencing the interlocking, the new architecture, interfaces and processes have to be rearranged taking into account the new solution developed (on-board detection).

Foreseen achievable Technology Readiness Level: TRL7

3. TD 2.9 - Traffic Management Evolution: in line with the actions planned in S2R MAAP, the scope is to bring to conclusion the activities started in X2RAIL-2. The action will define, develop and test a complete Train Management System platform prototype. The main innovation is the definition and design of a communication platform (Integration Layer) using standardized data structures and processes to manage the Communication/Data exchange between different services/clients and supporting TMS applications connected to other multimodal operational systems.

   In the framework of the introduction of new Traffic Management technologies (TD2.9), the work stream should cover the following points:

   •   Integrate and automate data exchange processes between the various Rail Services with defined persistency in one common communication layer;

   •   Specify and develop the architecture, the interfaces and the data model allowing the integration of new and legacy installations to guarantee the acceptance of the various stakeholders involved in Traffic Control, Traffic Management and other Rail Business Services;

   •   Specify and develop “Publish-Subscribe” communication methodology for Rail Operations;

   •   Specify and develop new Business Applications/Principles for Traffic Control to integrate new functionalities developed inside S2R Innovation Programme 2, such as ATO or Moving Block, into the Rail Operation processes as well as to improve the efficiency of Traffic Management processes by optimizing the flow of traffic and the decision making to deliver

     the production timetable with less delays;

   •   Standardize an Operator’s Workstation and a framework with “Plug & Play” features to

     manage and operate applications;

   •   Contribute to the design of a S2R Conceptual Data Model CDM and implement this data-

     structure into the communication process to integrate legacy and new services or applications into one communication into one Layer.

     Close cooperation with action to be funded under topic S2R-OC-IP2-03-2019: “Support of the development of demonstrator platform for Traffic Management” will be key to establish an integrated Platform to test and validate the prototypes developed from different partners within the Technology Demonstrator.

     Foreseen achievable Technology Readiness Level: TRL 6

4. TD 2.10 – Smart Radio connected all-in-all wayside objects: in line with the actions planned in the S2R MAAP, the scope is to bring to conclusion the activities started in X2Rail-1. On this basis technical demonstrators will be developed, implemented and validated.

   In the framework of the introduction of new and Smart Object Controller (TD2.10), the activities are expected to cover the following areas:

 Development and verification of Prototypes:
In accordance with the specifications developed in X2RAIL-1, the objective of that task is to develop prototypes, to define the tests to be performed and to provide the Lab test report. The action shall include:

 Validation of the defined rules and requirements;
 Development and verification of prototypes taking into account the real environment for testing.

 Validation of prototypes:
The objective of this task is the validation of the prototypes in the real environment. Validation will be executed according to test and validation plans.

 Optimisation works:
The results of the validation phase will serve as an input for optimizing prototypes, specifications review and conclusions.

Foreseen achievable Technology Readiness Level: TRL6/7

Work stream 2

5. TD5.1.3– Freight ATO: Cargo in the context of freight Autonomous train operation, the main objective is to test the “ATO up to GoA3/4” specification for freight application and to develop/test “obstacle detection” and “track intrusion detection” solutions.

In the framework of the Innovation Programme 5 related TD 5.1.3 Freight ATO the activities are expected to cover the following points:

• -  Review of the ATO GoA3/4 specification provided in Main Work Stream 1 in order to guarantee that it is suitable for freight application;

• -  Review of the ATO GoA3/4 operation scenarios provided by Main Work Stream 1 in order to guarantee that it is suitable for freight application;

• -  Supply track plan data and train data required for the Reference Test Bench dedicated to freight application.

• -  Interoperability tests for freight application on the ATO Reference Test Bench platforms.

Research and innovation activities shall foster the achievement of an Obstacle Detection and Intrusion system prototypes able to prove the system features in terms of performance, applicability, adaptability, in complementarity with the action stemming from the topic S2R- OC-IP5-02-2019.

The action shall guarantee the cooperation with the Work-Stream 1.1 (TD2.2 – Railway network capacity increase (ATO up to GoA3/4)) actively involving Railways (IMs/RUs) and Industries taking into account their needs, experiences, competencies in order to cope with the demands and the opportunity of the market. The action shall implement all the necessary steps to achieving the expected TRL level by means of proved prototypes.

Foreseen achievable Technology Readiness Level: TRL 6/7

Work Streams results should be placed in the context of the demo plans, which are developed in conjunction with MAAP part B. In addition, the demo plans should be accompanied with integration and migration plans to implement produced solutions in the rail environment to support and speed up deployment.

Considering the “18C044-0C WHITE PAPER REFERENCE CCS ARCHITECTURE (RCA) BASED ON ERTMS” developed by the ERTMS Users Group and the EULYNX consortium and provided to S2R in July 2018, and following the ongoing collaboration initiated with the promoters of such initiative for the integration of the RCA in the S2R Programme, a final high level decomposition of RCA is expected be delivered to S2R by April 2019. The S2R Members should firstly verify the impact that the RCA would have or potentially have on the content of each work streams activities and subsequently each CFM

proposal should be aligned, as far as possible, against the latest progress on the Reference CCS Architecture, in particular the system approach and interoperability of solutions must be ensured across S2R IP/CCA activities and for future developments.

COMPLEMENTARITY

Most of the activities of this work area will need to set up a collaboration with the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) in order to evaluate the potential impacts of the solutions developed on the current ERTMS/ETCS specifications, included in the Control Command Signalling Technical Specification for Interoperability.

As specified in section 2.3.1 of AWP 2019, in order to facilitate the contribution to the achievement of S2R objectives, the options regarding 'complementary grants' of the S2R Model Grant Agreement and the provisions therein, including with regard to additional access rights to background and results for the purposes of the complementary grant(s), will be enabled in the corresponding S2R Grant Agreements.

The action that is expected to be funded under this topic will be complementary to the actions that are expected to be funded under the following topics:

•   S2R-CFM-CCA-01-2019: “Integrated Mobility Management + Energy + Noise”.

•   S2R-OC-IP2-02-2019 - Support to development of demonstrator platform for Traffic Management.

•   S2R-CFM-IPX and /CCA-01-2019: S2R System Architecture and Conceptual Data Model.

•   S2R-CFM-IP5-01-2019: Smart, data-based assets and efficient rail freight operation.

•   S2R-OC-IP5-02-2019: Advanced obstacle detection and track intrusion system for autonomous freight train.

The action stemming from this topic will also be complementary to actions carried out within the following projects of IP2:

 S2R-CFM-IP1-02-2018: Validation of new technologies for the TCMS.
 S2R-CFM-IP5-01-2018: Technology demonstrators for competitive intelligent rail freight.
 X2RAIL-1 (GA 730640).
 X2RAIL-2 (GA 777465).

The action shall actively contribute to the S2R standardisation rolling development plans wherever relevant.

The action shall actively contribute to the S2R KPIs development. This shall lead to publicly available deliverable, quantified indicatively on a semi-annual basis.

The planned activities of the action should take into account the revised MAAP part A. The S2R JU will only fund one proposal under this topic.

EXPECTED IMPACT

Regarding the work stream 1 - “TD2.2 – Railway network capacity increase (ATO up to GoA3/4)”, the actions are expected to contribute to:

•   the improvement of the overall line capacity thanks to train traffic optimisation which contributes to achieving service punctuality and to optimising headway between trains;

•   the reduction of traction energy consumption, and carbon emissions, notably by means of improvement of automatic train operation and train control;

•   improve optimisation of the train control according to the real needs of traffic through the contribution of automation and specifically of ATO up to GoA3/4 implementation;

•   OPEX reduction in terms of maintenance of train braking systems and of mechanical parts of the vehicle and in terms of optimisation of staff utilisation.

  Regarding the work stream 1 - “TD2.5 – On Board Train Integrity”, the actions are expected to contribute to:

•   contribute to the implementation of advanced Train Separation systems based on self-train localization (Moving or Fixed Virtual block) and therefore improving line capacity and better line exploitation;

•   Contribute to removing wayside track detection systems (e.g.: Track Circuit, Axle Counter);

•   Contribute to fostering innovation for new solution for energy generation and harvesting;

•   Contribute to improving innovation in Train-to-Train communication thanks to high performing requirement demands to accomplish the On Board Train Integrity functionality.

Regarding the work stream 1 - “TD 2.9 - Traffic Management Evolution”, the actions are expected to contribute to:

•   Improve reliability of train operations in terms of service and availability of wayside assets. Standardisation of the frameworks, data structures and interfaces within the Integration Framework and Application Layer will deliver a reduction of the investment for new integrated installations;

•   Allow, through the new communication platform, the integration of now and fore-casted status data of scheduled train services, infrastructure assets, rolling stock and information from external clients and services into Traffic Control, Traffic Management and other services processes to secure the delivery of the production time table to reduce delays hence improve reliability of train services and availability of assets;

•   Reduce the investment for new integrated installations as well as the operating cost through the standardization of the data structures and interfaces within the communication network, Application Framework and standardized Operator Workstation;

•   Secure Automated Train Operation (ATO) and Moving Block Operation to be implemented in real rail traffic environment;

•   Contribute to achieving additional benefit by deploying the specified structures foreseen in this project to other services management facilities e.g. Maintenance Services, Energy Management (cooperation with IP3), Passenger Information (cooperation with IP4) and Freight Management (cooperation with IP5).

Regarding the work stream 1 - “TD 2.10 – Smart Radio connected all-in-all wayside objects”, the actions are expected to contribute to:

•   reduce CAPEX and OPEX by reducing the need of cables and therefore by reducing the related overall cost;

•   foster the evolution to Train-Centric-Systems in which a self-sufficient smart equipment (“box”) is able to connect with any signalling wayside and on-board sub-system in the area;

•   foster new signalling system architectures based on locally derived power and radio communications (or any wireless network communication) together with maximum de- centralization (up to the level of one Object Controller for every individual trackside object);

•   enhancing reliability, capacity, by reducing investments and improving standardization and therefore simplified certification and authorization.

Regarding the work stream 2 - “TD5.1.3 – Freight ATO”, the actions are expected to contribute to:

•   the reduction of traction energy consumption, and carbon emissions, notably by means of improvement of automatic train operation and train control;

•   improve optimisation of the train control according to the real needs of traffic through the contribution of automation and specifically of ATO up to GoA3/4 implementation;

•   OPEX reduction in terms of maintenance of train braking systems and of mechanical parts of the vehicle and in terms of optimisation of staff utilisation;

•   Demonstrate interoperability of ATO up to GoA 3/4 solution/implementations due to the use of formal design;

•   Deliver solutions for interoperability of ATO up to GoA 3/4 by using open source approach under the European Union Public Licence.

•   Reduce lifecycle cost by applying open source business models and formal design to ATO GoA3/4.

Type of Action: Innovation Action (IA)