Shift2Rail logo

Technology demonstrators for competitive, intelligent rail freight operation - S2R-CFM-IP5-01-2018
Deadline: Apr 24, 2018  
CALL EXPIRED

 Innovation
 Transport
 Clean Transport
 Horizon Europe

Specific Challenge:

Within the challenges highlighted in the IP5 part of the S2R Master Plan, the following specific challenges should be addressed by the proposal in answer to this topic:

  1. New Automatic Couplers, provided with electrical and data transmission functionalities, need to be implemented. The specific challenges of this call are to complete the detailed design, build up a unitary demonstrator and test it on the innovative wagons developed in TD5.3.

  2. Telematics and Electrification will enable Condition Based Maintenance (CBM). Telematics should contribute to collect, transmit and use the necessary information required by CBM strategy. Electrification should be responsible for supplying the required energy to the telematics by means of the Energy Management System (EMS).

  3. Improved methods for annual and short term timetable planning and in traffic operations should increase overall capacity and raise punctuality by developing methods and processes in this direction.

  4. The work stream of Real-time network management aims at reducing or even eliminating inefficiencies by integrating medium to short-term and operational planning at yards/terminals and in the railway network,.

  5. Future freight wagon design for the core and extended markets as defined in the S2R - MAAP shall contribute to increased reliability of the freight transport while increasing the payload per meter of train.

  6. Future main line electric freight locomotives must feature highly flexible freight propulsion systems with reduced operational costs. The challenge in this call is to merge all results from the projects FR8RAIL (S2R-CFM-IP5-01-2015) and FR8HUB (S2R-CFM-IP5-01-2017) and demonstrate the performance as well as to evaluate, specify and design the required systems and processes.

  7. The freight sector needs to find ways to rapidly decrease unit costs to improve its competitiveness against the road sector. Major boundaries are the readiness of infrastructure for longer trains and the maximum load on the coupling hook, which limits the maximum weights of trains. Distributed Power in freight trains could solve this problem by distributing the traction and braking forces for long freight trains up to 1,500 m.

  8. In order to achieve the advantages with ATO/DAS, the integration with the TMS-system is of importance. Automated Train Operation (ATO) and Driver Advisory Systems that are connected (C-DAS) to the Traffic Management Systems in the train control centres of the IM provide means to enhance capacity, improve punctuality and optimize energy consumption of the railway system.

Scope:

In order to address the challenges described above, the proposals should address all the following work streams, in line with the S2R MAAP:

The work expected in work stream 1 concerning “Automatic Coupling” (TD 5.1) should:

  •   Complete the mechanical and electric design of the Automatic Coupler Demonstrator, based on the concept design developed in FR8RAIL project (S2R-CFM-IP5-01-2015).

  •   Calculate an estimation of the production costs for an industrialization of the technical solution in Europe.

  •   Manufacture and assemble the Automatic Coupler Demonstrator.

  •   Test the Automatic Coupler Demonstrator, in a test bench, to assure that the maximum specified forces are reached without damaging the system. This is a prototype demonstrator operating in a traction-compression test bench, in normal laboratory conditions.

The activity is expected to finish with prototype demonstration in a TRL6 level.

 

The work expected in work stream 2 concerning “Telematics and Electrification” (TD 5.1) should be based on the results obtained in the projects FR8RAIL (S2R-CFM-IP5-01-2015) and FR8HUB (S2R-CFM- IP5-01-2017) and should cover (TD5.1.3) the integration of the different components and processes defined prior to the validation:

 Telematics integration
o Specification of the integration of the telematics (WMS, wOBU, FTSMS) within the

new wagon (TD5.3) design including new wheels and axles (TD5.3) and within the

currently available wagons.
o Specification of the integration of the telematics with other systems such as

Automatic Coupler (TD5.1), Access and Operation (TD5.2) and Novel Terminal, Hubs,

Marshalling yards, Sidings (TD5.4).
o Definition of test scenarios with research vehicles in combination with other systems

from Access and Operation (TD5.2) and Novel Terminal, Hubs, Marshalling yards,

Sidings (TD5.4).  CBM integration

o Specification of a target process including an approval process for diagnosis-based maintenance and a migration-process for all relevant stakeholders.

o Aggregation of data from locomotive and wagons, comparison actual values and threshold values (system based) and deduction of specific maintenance tasks if threshold value is reached (system based).

o Integration of the web-interface for train data visualization, incl. a standardized interface for existing external and maintenance systems.

The activities concerning telematics and CBM are expected to validate – proof of concept –the integration of the different components and processes in a laboratory (TRL 4).

The work expected in work stream 3 concerning “Improved Methods for time table planning” (TD 5.2) should:

  •   Improve methods for timetable planning including aspects of decision support for operational traffic and traffic information that improves both capacity utilization and customer satisfaction of rail freight systems.

  •   Further develop concepts from the project ARCC (S2R-CFM-IP5-02-2015) into a demonstrator with shared information about ad-hoc planning and daily timetable.

  •   Testing the concept and impact to rail freight in a demonstrator.

The activity is expected to provide a demonstrator of the proposed concepts in infrastructure management with at least TRL 5.


The work expected in work stream 4 concerning “Real-time network management” (TD 5.2) should:

  •   Improve interaction between Railway network and yards/terminals including aspects of decision support for operational traffic and traffic information that improves capacity, efficiency and punctuality especially for freight trains.

  •   Testing the concept and impact to rail freight in a demonstrator.

The activity is expected to provide a demonstrator of the proposed concepts in infrastructure management with at least TRL 5.

The work expected in work stream 5 concerning “Core and Extended Market Wagon” (TD 5.3) should include:

  •   Structural, aeroacoustical & aerodynamical drag optimized wagon design concept and proof of concept for core and extended market wagon 2020 Optimized (wheel-rail interface, Life Cycle Costs, higher speed, track degradation, noise reduction) running gear design concept and proof of concept for core and extended market wagon 2020

  •   Standard interfaces definition and integration towards electrification, telematics, CBM as well as autonomous coupling & train operation

The activities for the core and extended market wagon are expected to validate – proof of concept – the impact of the design and the fit with CBM (TRL 4)

Complementary to and building on the results of the work done in the projects FFL4E (S2R-CFM-IP5- 03-2015) and FR8HUB (S2R-CFM-IP5-01-2017), the following work is expected in the work stream 6 concerning “Freight Propulsion Systems” (TD 5.5):

  •   Develop and manufacture functional prototypes for hybrid propulsion systems.

  •   Validation and measurement of the performance of the hybrid propulsion system prototypes defined, designed and partially developed in the projects FFL4E (S2R-CFM-IP5-03-2015) and FR8HUB (S2R-CFM-IP5-01-2017).

Complementary to the work being done in ARCC, the following work is expected in the work stream 6 concerning “Freight Propulsion Systems” (TD 5.5):

  •   Define all actions required and performed for a train composition

  •   Study how these actions can be automated

  •   Develop a concept for automating the whole process

  •   Define the systems and process requirement specification

  •   Develop and construct some selected technologies

The activities concerning Freight Propulsion Systems are expected to validate selected technologies in the laboratory or in a relevant environment with at least TRL 4.

Complementary to and building on the results of the work done in the project FFL4E (S2R-CFM-IP5- 03-2015) the work expected in work stream 7 concerning “Long Trains with Distributed Power (DP)” (TD 5.5) should include the following activities:

  •   Further development of DP-technology for usage in trains up to 1500 m

  •   Demonstration of DP-technology in trains up to 850 m

  •   Demonstration or simulation of Distributed Power in 1500 m trains

The activity is expected to provide a DP-technology demonstration in a train up to 1,500 m with at least TRL 6.

The work expected in work stream 8 concerning “ATO/DAS” (TD 5.6) should:

  •   Analyse the requirements of TMS-users and railway undertakings for real-time data for usage in a Connected DAS and ATO module, making sure that requirements of TMS-users will be taken up by IP2.

  •   Integrate requirements in the definition of standard interfaces in alignment with other ongoing projects like ARCC and X2-Rail-1 (S2R-CFM-IP2-01-2015), making sure that requirements for the standard DAS/TMS interface will be taken up by IP2 to analyse and utilise them in the design of ATO/TMS interfaces for live data, to create maximum synergies

  •   Realize first concept and simulation of connected DAS

  •   Evaluate the impact C-DAS can have on the performance of rail freight

The activity is expected to provide a technology for the exchange of real-time data and its demonstration with at least TRL 4.

Due to the strong link of this work stream with the current and future activities in IP2 and the input that the results of this topic will provide, the succeeding proposal will set up an advisory board with representatives of IP2.

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-OC-IP5-01-2018: Radio communication and simulation of train dynamics for Distributed Power within long trains

This action shall closely work with the action stemming from the complementary open call, to ensure integration of projects’ results into S2R solutions.

The action expected to be funded from this topic will also be complementary to actions carried out following the topics:

  •   S2R-CFM-IP5-01-2015: Development of functional requirements for sustainable and attractive European rail freight

  •   S2R-CFM-IP5-02-2015: Start-up activities for freight automation

  •   S2R-CFM-IP5-03-2015: Freight propulsion concepts

  •   S2R-CFM-IP5-01-2017: Real-time information applications and energy efficient solutions for rail freight

  •   S2R-CFM-IP2-01-2015: Start-up activities for Advanced Signaling and Automation System

  •   S2R-CFM-IP2-01-2017: Enhancing railway signaling systems thanks to applying satellite

positioning; developing an on-board safe Train Integrity; applying formal methods approach and standardised interfaces, and enhancing Traffic Management System (TMS) functions

As specified in section 2.3.1 of S2R AWP for 2018, 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 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:

The foreseen research activities are expected to contribute to the creation of a framework for an effective railway for freight as a part of the logistical value chain in a more automated way via intelligent equipment and railway terminals enabling the provision of accurate information to end customers and operators.

The foreseen research activities in work stream 1 “Automatic Coupling” are expected to:

  •  Enable longer trains lengths (up to 1,500m), operating at higher speeds, as a result of increased coupler load transmission capacity.
  •   Lead to reduced train composition times (up to 30%), and lower operation costs.

  •   Data and electrical transmission will allow the installation of sensors in the trains, required for an enhanced Condition Based Maintenance, and the possibility to monitor the status of the goods remotely.

The foreseen research activities in work stream 2 “Telematics and Electrification” are expected to contribute to:

  •   Further advancement of the reliability and efficiency of rail freight based on the results of the projects FR8RAIL (S2R-CFM-IP5-01-2015) and FR8HUB (S2R-CFM-IP5-01-2017);

  •   A significant reduction of derailments through furthering CBM implementation;

  •   Reaching a 10% reduction of maintenance operational expenses to increase rail freight business competitiveness.

The foreseen research activities in work stream 3 “Improved Methods for time table planning” are expected to:

  •   Provide methods that acknowledge the specific needs and opportunities of the rail freight system.

  •   Provide methods to timetable planning that increase the competitiveness of the rail freight system, while also considering the performance of the total rail system.

  •   Improve operational capacity utilization, robustness and punctuality by 10-15%.

The foreseen research activities in work stream 4 “Real-time network management” are expected to:

  •   Provide methods that improve the efficiency of the network as a whole including decision support for railway network, marshalling yards and terminals.

  •   Conclude the requirements on other supporting activities and systems (e.g. data availability, planning methods, integration between yard operation and line management) that are necessary for improved performance.

The foreseen research activities in work stream 5 “Core and Extended Market Wagon” are expected to contribute to the overall MAAP Impacts by:

  •   Reducing the weight of freight wagons, to maximise the payload/ deadweight ratio.

  •   Significantly contributing to the improvement of reliability

  •   Reducing total operating costs for the vehicle and infrastructure by up to 30% combining novel design of running gears, predictive maintenance methods and improved aerodynamics

  •   Analysing of possible improvements on the acoustical behaviour of wagons

  •   Providing standard mechanical and electrical interfaces for modular, scalable wagon design for operational interoperability

The foreseen research activities in work stream 6 “Freight Propulsion” are expected to:

  •   Improve energy efficiency and operational flexibility

  •   Significantly reduce time requirement of train composition

  •   Optimize train composition process, thus a cost reduction

  •   Make automated processes available

The foreseen research activities in work stream 7 “Long Trains” are expected to:

  •   deliver a Distributed Power technology ready for market entrance, and

  •   enable operators to increase train lengths up to twice the current train lengths and therefore increase their competitiveness rapidly.


The foreseen research activities in work stream 8 “ATO/DAS” are expected to:

  •   Eliminate obstacles that prevent rail freight from reaching the potential of ATO/DAS systems

  •   Increase robustness of the system

  •  Proof the value of C-DAS for optimizing energy consumption, increasing punctuality and capacity in the rail freight system

Specific metrics and methods to measure and achieve impacts should be included in the proposals, with the objective to achieve by the end of the S2R Programme the quantitative and qualitative targets defined in the S2R MAAP related to TD5.1, TD5.2, TD5.3, TD5.5 and TD5.6 in line with the relative planning and budget.

Type of action:

Innovation Actions (TRL 6)



Public link:   Only for registered users


Looking for a partnership?
Have a look at
Ma Région Sud!
https://maregionsud.up2europe.eu