X2RAIL-2 Enhancing Railway Signaling Systems

Project description

X2RAIL-2 represents the 2nd proposal of the Shift2Rail members in the IP2 “Advanced Traffic Management & Control Systems” domain. The pillar (IP2) challenge is to increase functionalities of the existing signaling and automation systems and related design and validation processes providing a more competitive, flexible, real-time, intelligent traffic management and decision support system, and maintaining backward compatibility to the existing European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) and especially its European Train Control System component (ETCS).

The X2RAIL-2 project aims, according to the MAAP, to research and develop four selected key technologies to foster innovations in the field of railway signaling and automation systems within the following Technology Demonstrators (TDs):

• Fail-Safe Train Positioning (TD2.4) - To achieve a significant reduction of the use of traditional train detection systems by means of the attainment of an absolute and safe train positioning system based on a multi-sensor concept, where GNSS is the preferred technology.
• On-Board Train Integrity (TD2.5) - To achieve the safe On-board Train Integrity to allow the application of new signaling train separation concepts (e.g. Moving Block or Virtual Block) based on the train self -localization rather than on traditional train detection systems.
• Formal Methods (TD2.7) - To innovate and standardize processes and interfaces in the evolution phases of a signaling project (e.g.: design, implementation, test & commissioning, operation & maintenance) to rationalize the approach and to reduce time-to-market costs.
• Traffic Management Evolution (TD2.9) - To improve standardization and integration of Traffic Management processes with the aim to achieve flexibility and scalability within the choice of functional service module managed by TMS. The X2RAIL-2 project aims at reaching TRL5/6 demonstrators.

Collaborating Companies or Organisationss

Indra´s Role

Indra contribute in the Enhancing railway signalling systems focus on on-board safe train integrity, formal methods approach and standard interfaces, enhancing Traffic Management System functions and in the dissemination through international conferences.

As well as its technological capabilities and experience in railroad transport, Indra also brings to Shift2Rail and specifically to X2RAIL-2 its extensive expertise in multiple industries, supporting synergy generation and the transfer of technology between different fields, as well as driving more integrated and intermodal mobility management. The company will also contribute its long experience integrating technology and systems from a number of suppliers, and particularly in the development of proprietary innovative solutions to drive process automation and efficiency, as well as reduce operating costs.

Indra is involved in the Work Packages:

• WP4: On board train integrity
• WP5: Standardisation engineering and operational rules for smart signalling system specification
• WP6: Traffic Management Evolution
• WP7: Dissemination

Universities and Technological Centers

The consortium is supported by highly-skilled research centers such as CEIT, DLR (the German Aerospace Centre) and RAILENIUM.

Technologies used

Indra makes use of its experience in different rail technologies and their own products in this project as:

• InVITALRAIL, the system includes the cutting-edge hardware and on-track and onboard systems for Spain's digital ASFA standards, Europe's ERTMS level 2 system, centralized traffic control (CTC) and on-track security hubs. This comprehensive rail signaling platform harnesses technology developed entirely in Spain and meets all the most stringent quality standards; each system has secured SIL 4 security certification, the highest certification level available in the rail industry.
• Development of an advanced ASFA-D beacon prototype that has already undergone on-track testing. The firm is now one of very few companies capable of providing such technology. Indra has also developed on-board equipment (Euro-cabin) for ERTMS level 1 and level 2, with SIL 4 certification, as well as the RBC system, which represents the primary on-track equipment and the cornerstone of the ERTMS level 2 platform. The RBC system has also been granted SIL 4 certification and an interoperability certificate conferred by CETREN, guaranteeing that it is fully ready for deployment.
• Traffic Management System (TMS). DaVinci system, developed by Indra as part of a major R&D initiative, is now well-established as the world's most advanced rail traffic management system. As well as controlling close to 3,000 kilometers of high-speed railroad in Spain, the system is also deployed in countries such as Colombia, Lithuania and Morocco. It also oversees 500 kilometers of the Mecca-Medina high-speed railroad in Saudi Arabia, and will be used in Turkey's future high-speed network, set to extend over some 2,000 kilometers over the coming years

More information

This project, under reference nº H2020- 777465, has been funded through the Horizon 2020 Programme of the European Commission within the Shift2Rail initiative, of which Indra is an associate member.