X2RAIL-3: Advanced Signalling, Automation and Communication System – Prototyping the future by means of capacity increase, autonomy and flexible communication

Project Description

The project aims to continue the research and development of key technologies to foster innovations in the field of railway signalling, telecommunication, testing methodologies and Cyber Security, as part of a longer term Shift2Rail IP2 strategy towards a flexible, real-time, intelligent traffic control management and decision support system. X2Rail-3 will also explore Virtual Coupling, an innovative concept capable of operating trains much closer to one another (inside their absolute or relative braking distance) and dynamically modifying their own composition on the move.

Shift2Rail will contribute to:

• Cutting the life-cycle cost of railway transport by as much as 50 %
• Doubling railway capacity
• Increasing reliability and punctuality by as much as 50 %.

The actions to be undertaken in the scope of X2Rail-3 are related to the following specific objectives:

• To improve line capacity and to achieve a significant reduction of the use of traditional train detection systems by means of the introduction of the Moving Block together with train positioning.
• To overcome the limitations of the existing communication system by adapting radio communication systems which establish the backbone for the next generation advanced rail automation systems.
• To ensure security among all connected signalling and control systems by developing new cyber security systems dedicated to railways.
• To analyse new signalling concepts (Virtual Coupling) that potentially would be able to improve line capacity, reduce LCC and enhance system reliability.
• To improve standardization and integration of the testing methodologies reducing time to market and improving effectiveness in the introduction of new signalling and supervision systems.
• To ensure the evolution and backward compatibility of ERTMS/ETCS technologies, notwithstanding of the required functional enrichment of the future signalling and control systems.

The project is structured in 11 work packages (WP):

- Technical work Packages:

• WP3: Adaptable Communication System for all Railways
• WP4: Moving Block
• WP5: Zero on-site testing
• WP6: Virtually Coupled Train Sets (VCTS) – Concept and Safety Analysis
• WP7: Virtually Coupled Train Sets (VCTS) – System Specifications and Business Model
• WP8: Cyber security specification and design
• WP9: Secure verification of products, systems and services throughout the life-cycle
• WP10: ATO over ETCS pilot test for freight demonstrator

- Administrative Work Packages:

• WP1: Project Management
• WP2: Technical coordination and System Coherence
• WP9: Exploitation, Dissemination and Communication

Collaborating Companies or Organisations

Indra's Role

Indra contribute in the research and innovation of the future adaptable communication system focus on the voice dispatching system, in the evolution from the “network as an asset” to the “network as a service” for train to ground communications, increasing the flexibility of the communication services; in the preparation of standardized specifications of lab validation and verification tests for signaling and telecom products, specially ETCS; in the development of an intelligent, wireless connected, energy supply autonomous smart equipment for monitoring and control of wayside objects 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-3 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:

• WP2: Technical coordination and system coherence
• WP3: Adaptable communication system for all Railways
• WP5: Zero on-site testing
• WP6: Virtually coupled train sets (VCTS) – Concept and safety analysis
• WP7: Virtually coupled train sets (VCTS) – System scpecifications and business model
• WP11: Exploitation, dissemination and communication

Univesities and technologies centers

Technologies used

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

• Voice Dispatching System (VDS), integrated management of the entire set of communication systems at rail traffic control centers. It facilitates communications between control centers, trains, stations, corporate lines, selective telephony, train-ground, PSTN, SMS, messaging, email, mobile communications, etc. Furthermore it can be integrated with GSMR, RDSI, TETRA, P25, VoIP and 3G communication technologies.
• 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 H2020-826141, has been funded through the Horizon 2020 Programme of the European Commission within the Shift2Rail initiative, of which Indra is an associate member.