(16/10/2017) 

The objective of the project is to define a road map aimed at achieving the goal of a sustainable, adaptable, efficient, automated, resilient and high capacity railway system for 2030/2050.

The conference highlights addressed by the different speakers were:

- Infrastructure: new slab track solutions which are more effective and require less maintenance, aimed at current and future use of the railway. Innovative concepts for more efficient switches and crossings and ground-breaking methods for high speed. Upgrading of the infrastructure to meet new operation and market demands.

- Freight: innovation in wagon design and techniques, connectivity, terminal design, capacity improvements and development of operations to meet the changing needs of the logistic market leading to the future freight train of 2030 and the prospects for 2050.

- Operation: changes in strategic, tactical and operational planning to face future challenges such as increased capacity, optimised management of emergencies, enhanced information sharing and greater levels of connection between rail and other transportation modes.

- Advanced monitoring: innovative concepts based on advanced sensors, energy-efficient technologies, energy harvesting and wireless networks aimed at monitoring railway infrastructures and operation in order to improve track capacity and availability, and which, in turn, offer automated forecasts of maintenance and useful life of the structures.

- System of Assessment and Migration to 2030/2050: technical and economical assessment of the technologies developed, road map and migration scenarios necessary to reach the goal of a sustainable, adaptable, efficient, automated, resilient and high capacity railway system for 2030/2050.