Tipos de programas educativos

This section emphasises on the management aspects of the railways sector in order to create an integrated, reliable European railway system. More specifically, it presents activities on the integrated railway transport management focusing on the administrative and institutional aspects of the railways, and on the improvement of technical interoperability in terms of railway maintenance and safety.

Background

Building a modern, competitive railway network is a top priority in Europe for the operation of the EU internal market and for development of a sustainable transport system. Research projects presented below contribute to the policy objective of creating an integrated European railway system and improving interoperability between national railways, and integrating sustainability aspects into the management of railway transport.

Research

Railway management is facing the challenge of creating an efficient and reliable integrated European railway system. Interoperability between national railways has to be improved through harmonisation of railway transport management and institutions and by removing technical and operational barriers. The research projects presented below are grouped in two clusters: integrated railway transport management; and operational and technical interoperability.

The projects in the first cluster, integrated railway transport management, impact on the performance of the European railways by improving management practices, and by facilitating cooperation between railway stakeholders. These projects focus on institutional, administrative, and legal aspects. Assessing bottlenecks and developing

business models (such as in NEW OPERA and TREND projects) is necessary to estimate future railway management challenges. The INFRAGUIDER project introduced sustainability aspects with impact on railway management. The on-going ON-TIME project deals with improvement in real-time railway traffic.

The second project cluster on technical and operational interoperability improvement deals with maintenance and safety. Projects to improve inspection and maintenance of the railway infrastructure include WIDEM, AUTOMAIN, ACEM-RAIL, INTERAIL, SMART-RAIL, ALARP and MAINLINE. Some projects (SAFERAIL, SAFE-RAIL, D- RAIL) focus on safety improvement, an objective high on the EU agenda. Two projects contributing to improving interoperability of European railways deal with electromagnetic compatibility (RAILCOM and EUREMCO). Introduction of the information and communication technologies facilitates transport management on the EU railway system (INTEGRAIL project).

Integrated Railway Transport Management

The NEW OPERA project (New European Wish: Operation Project for European

Rail network FP6, 2005-2008) investigated changes needed for a long-term scenario

2020 for a core Rail network (predominantly freight). Recommendations which impact the railway management in Europe include introduction of longer and heavier trains, double stack option for new rail lines and tunnels, standardised maintenance approach, adoption of the software technologies in cross-border traffic management, use of intelligent tools for cross-border freight movement and a Decision Support System for dispatchers, infrastructure managers and railway undertakings and their customers. After the NEWOPERA project, an International non-profit association was formed known as NEWOPERA AISBL to continue project activities.

The TREND project (Towards new Rail freight quality and concepts in the

European Network in respect to Market Demand (FP6, 2005-2006) examined

recent developments in improving interoperability between single national railway systems in EU Member States. Best practices were identified. For selected corridors, prerequisites for innovative and new concepts for Trans-European rail freight services were analysed. Quality standards for commercial and operational relations in rail freight services were developed.

A methodology was proposed to evaluate and develop European railway infrastructure – Infrastructure development Scheme. In this framework, GIS-based internet information tools were implemented. Finally, business models for international co-operation were proposed.

The INFRAGUIDER project (Infrastructure guidelines for environmental railway

performance FP7, 2009-2010) was directed toward improving the environmental

performance of railway infrastructure with the introduction of eco-procurement. This methodology referred to as the Leverage Model is also a guideline for the integration of environmental requirements in the operational procurement of railway infrastructure materials and components. The methodology enables railway infrastructure managers to pre-set an acceptable cost level for eco-procurement and thus to control costs. Guidelines and criteria have been developed for environmental impact assessment of existing and new railway infrastructure.

The ONTIME project (Optimal Networks for Train Integration Management across

Europe, FP7, 2011–2014) is developing new methods and processes to maximise the

capacity of the European railway network and to reduce delays through improved traffic planning. Specific emphasis is on approaches to alleviate congestion at bottlenecks. Case studies will include passenger and freight services on European corridors, long distance mainlines, and urban commuter railways.

Operational and technical interoperability improvement

The INTEGRAIL project (Intelligent Integration of Railway Systems, FP6, 2005-

2008) developed a framework to integrate railway information systems into a single

system. Technology was developed to enable transparent access to information systems (databases, monitoring systems and user applications) and thus to improve rail transport management. Introduction of this integrated system leads to cost reduction in railway operation and maintenance. A single integrated system also provides other benefits including reduction in delays and disruptions, and increase in traffic volumes.

The SAFE-RAIL project (Development of an Innovative Ground-Penetrating Radar

System for Fast and Efficient Monitoring of Rail-Track Substructure Conditions, FP6, 2004-2008) improved safety standards by developing new methodologies and

axles of moving trains was developed. Ultrasonic phased arrays enable more accurate and faster inspection of wheels sets for surface breaking faults. The system automatically alerts signalling engineers to take action such as reducing train speed or stopping the train for immediate maintenance.

The SAFERAIL project (Development of Novel Inspection Systems for Railway

Wheelsets, FP7, 2008-2011) developed and implemented an online system for the

inspection of wheels and axles of moving trains. When a failure is identified, the system automatically alerts the signalling engineers. In the case of a serious defect, the signalling engineers stop a train for emergency maintenance. Ultrasonic phased arrays allow more accurate and fast inspection of wheels sets for surface breaking faults.

The RAILCOM project (Electromagnetic compatibility between rolling stock and

rail infrastructure encouraging European interoperability, FP6, 2005-2008)

investigated technical issues in vehicle/infrastructure interface on the TEN-T railway network. Technical methods and approaches were developed and tested to achieve electromagnetic compatibility between vehicles and track circuits for future interoperable railway lines. High frequency interference in railway network, especially in communication systems between trains and infrastructure was investigated.

The WIDEM project (Wheelset Integrated Design and Effective Maintenance, FP6,

2005-2007) improved the efficiency and competitiveness of railway transport through a

fundamental re-examination of wheelset design processes, which in turn, contributed to improved maintenance practices. A new real-time measurement methodology was developed for wheel-rail contact forces based on axle deformations with a bandwidth of about 70Hz. Standard procedure for processing load (or stress) measurements was developed to compute a wheelset design mission profile. New wheelsets were tested and used to determine the load spectre and specific running measurements.

The AUTOMAIN project (Augmented usage of Track by Optimisation of

Maintenance, Allocation and Inspection of railway network FP7, 2011–2014) is

developing new processes and technologies to move towards 24-7 railway operation by replacing scheduled maintenance strategies with infrastructure maintenance as required. Infrastructure maintenance is to be improved through increased reliability, availability, maintainability and improved worker safety.

The D-RAIL project (Development of the Future Rail Freight System to Reduce

the Occurrences and Impact of Derailment, FP7, 2011–2014) is improving railway

management by identifying root causes of derailment, particularly freight vehicles. The project is investigating how independent minor faults (for example, slight track twist and a failing bearing) could combine to cause a derailment. Demand for rail freight systems in 2050 will be estimated in line with new concepts such as heavier axle loads, faster freight vehicle speeds for time-sensitive low volume, high value, high speed services and goods, radically new vehicle designs, and longer trains.

The ACEM-RAIL project (Automated and cost effective maintenance for railway,

FP7, 2010–2013) is investigating how to reduce costs, time and resources in railway

infrastructure maintenance. Technologies for automated and cost effective inspection of the track condition will be developed and prototypes manufactured. Algorithms will be developed for optimal planning of infrastructure maintenance that integrates scheduling for preventive and corrective operations. Automated and optimised monitoring systems will be put in place.

The INTERAIL project (Development of a novel integrated inspection system for

the accurate evaluation of the structural integrity of rail tracks, FP7, 2009– 2012) is developing and implementing an integrated high-speed system for fast and

reliable inspection of rail tracks. The system is based on automated visual Alternated Current Field Measurement (ACFM) and ultrasonic techniques combined in a single architecture. The system will operate together with novel semi-automated testing equipment for verification and evaluation of the defects detected during high-speed inspection.

The SMART-RAIL project (Smart Maintenance and Analysis of Transport

Infrastructure FP7, 2011-2014) is reducing replacement costs, delays and developing

environmentally friendly maintenance solutions for ageing railway infrastructure networks. State-of-the-art methods are being developed to monitor and assess the safety of railway infrastructure. These assessments will be used to design remediation strategies to prolong the life of infrastructure cost-effectively with minimum environmental impact.

The ALARP project (Railway automatic track warning system based on

distributed personal mobile terminals, FP7, 2010-2012) is designing and

developing an innovative, more efficient Automatic Track Warning System to improve the safety of railway trackside workers.

The EUREMCO project (European Railway Electromagnetic Compatibility, FP7,

2011-2014) is improving the technical interoperability of European railways by

harmonising and reducing the certification process of rail vehicle against Electromagnetic Compatibility. Conditions for cross-accepted certification in Europe will be specified

The MAINLINE project (MAINtenance, renewaL and Improvement of rail

transport iNfrastructure to reduce Economic and environmental impacts, FP7, 2011-2014) is addressing new technologies to extend the lifetime of infrastructure.

Models for more realistic estimations of lifecycle cost and safety will be improved. New construction methods will be developed for use in replacing obsolete infrastructure. Monitoring techniques and management tools will be developed to assess lifetime environmental and economic impact.