Research Projects

The study analyses how multi-agent systems can be used for real-time optimisation of train movements. Trains act as autonomous agents that exchange information about occupancy, timetables and disruptions and make cooperative decisions. 

The approach promises to better manage bottlenecks in the network, reduce delays and increase network resilience. Simulations show that decentralised control logic can supplement or, in certain scenarios, replace central control centre decisions. The work thus provides important impetus for future distributed control concepts in highly congested railway networks.

This research investigates the use of combined camera and LiDAR sensor data for AI-supported object detection in the context of train operations. The aim is to develop robust perception models that can reliably identify both static and dynamic objects along the track. 

The study shows that multimodal sensor fusion significantly improves detection performance, especially under variable weather and lighting conditions. The results represent an important building block for future autonomous driving functions, as safe environment perception is a basic requirement for automated operating modes in rail transport.

News

The Arctic Test Arena was opened in November 2025 and uses the transnational railway connection between the port of Narvik and the Norrbotten industrial area as a test corridor under extreme climatic conditions. With winter temperatures, icy sections and steep gradients, the route offers ideal conditions for testing new technologies for infrastructure, vehicle technology and digital operations management under realistic conditions. 

As part of the opening, monitoring systems for bridges and transition zones, solutions for winter operation, modern sensor technology for maintenance and condition monitoring, and digital maintenance platforms were presented, among other things. 

The Arctic Test Arena thus forms a structured platform for research and testing under extreme conditions and provides valuable insights for operators who want to implement robustness, resilience and digital maintenance systems.

Futurail is a German start-up founded in 2023 that develops autonomous train operating systems and aims to integrate them into new and existing vehicles. In September 2025, the company secured €7.5 million in seed funding to further develop its "FUTURAILDriver" autonomy stack. This stack enables automatic train control and can be installed in new vehicles or retrofitted to existing fleets. 

Futurail's first area of application is depot and shunting operations, with the aim of automating repetitive processes, reducing personnel costs and gaining initial experience with autonomous operating modes. In the long term, such systems should help to address the growing demand for rail transport, driver shortages and CO₂ reduction targets, make unprofitable branch lines usable again and use network capacities more efficiently. Futurail is thus an example of the combination of private-sector innovation and technological development in rail transport.

Planned Research Projects

Project objectives
The project aims to reduce the frequency and severity of collisions between trains and wild animals, thereby decreasing operational disruptions, delays, train cancellations, and repair costs for both infrastructure and rolling stock. A further objective is to mitigate potential psychological impacts on train drivers resulting from such incidents. The project seeks to generate robust, evidence-based information on the suitability and effectiveness of various mitigation measures and to develop standards applicable to different accident scenarios across the nationwide railway network. A differentiated approach will consider which measures are appropriate for existing infrastructure and which should be implemented in new construction.

Approach
The project will analyse the causal relationships and impacts of wildlife collisions along railway lines. Accident types and sections with a high frequency of incidents will be identified and assessed. The research will examine and evaluate potential mitigation measures, including both vehicle-mounted systems and trackside solutions, considering their ecological and economic effects. Additionally, possible adaptations to rolling stock and infrastructure will be identified to enhance prevention efforts. The goal is to provide data-driven guidance for optimizing the allocation of limited resources for wildlife-collision mitigation.

Duration
Planned project start: 1st quarter of 2026
Project duration: 18 months

Use of results
The results will provide actionable knowledge on the effectiveness of mitigation measures for railway operators and infrastructure managers. They are intended to inform the selection and implementation of measures, reduce uncertainty regarding long-term effects and significance of mitigation, and guide the optimal allocation of resources. By establishing standards and evidence-based recommendations, the project will accelerate planning procedures and ensure that appropriate measures are considered early in both existing network management and new construction projects.

Project objectives
The project aims to reduce the carbon footprint of railway infrastructure by developing and validating concrete and related construction materials with significantly lower CO₂ emissions than conventional solutions. It investigates the use of eco-concrete and alternative, carbon-reduced or carbon-binding materials for track-related structures such as tunnels, bridges, sub- and superstructure, and other civil-engineering components. The goal is to enable climate-friendly construction practices in the rail sector without compromising structural safety or durability.

Approach
A multi-disciplinary approach is applied, combining materials engineering and structural engineering. The project includes laboratory testing of eco-concrete mixes, assessment of alternative binders, and evaluation of recycling and reuse potential. Structural analyses ensure that carbon-reduced concrete meets load-bearing, durability, and safety requirements for railway infrastructure. In parallel, stakeholder workshops with researchers, construction practitioners, planners, and industry experts are conducted to discuss feasibility, implementation pathways, and decision-making criteria.

Duration
Planned project start: 2nd quarter of 2026
Project duration: 36 months

Use of results
The outcomes will support rail infrastructure planners, constructors, and operators in adopting low-emission building practices. The findings are expected to enable the application of eco-concretes and carbon-reduced materials in both new construction and refurbishment projects, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving natural resources, and aligning railway infrastructure with climate protection and sustainability goals. Furthermore, demonstrating compliance with engineering and safety standards will facilitate broader adoption and potential standardization of low-carbon building materials in the rail sector.

Project objectives
The project aims to improve the safety of personnel working around smaller, mobile track construction machines such as ballast tampers, track tamping machines, and two-way excavators. Current protection relies on field-side automatic track warning systems (ATWS), sometimes combined with mobile signal devices, which are limited by variable signal strength and coverage, leading to unreliable protection and high noise emissions on construction sites. The objective is to explore and evaluate the feasibility of permanently installed machine-mounted warning systems, which can provide consistent high-level safety while simultaneously reducing noise exposure on track work sites.

Approach
The project will systematically assess technical feasibility, requirements, potential conflicts, and solutions for integrating fixed-mounted warning systems on the specified small track machines. This includes evaluating signal coverage, reliability, and noise reduction potential compared to mobile ATWS. Practical integration strategies, transferability to other machine types, and recommendations for implementation will be developed. The research will provide realistic estimates of achievable safety improvements and environmental benefits, while addressing technical constraints and operational scenarios.

Duration
Planned project start: 1st quarter of 2026
Project duration: 24 months

Use of results
Demonstrating the technical feasibility of fixed-mounted warning systems will establish a new standard in track construction safety. Successful implementation will allow for consistent personnel protection, reduce reliance on mobile warning devices, and decrease overall noise emissions on track construction sites. The results will serve as a foundation for future deployment requirements and could support broader adoption across other types of track construction machinery.

Project objectives
The project aims to analyse and evaluate key cybersecurity requirements for the digital railway. Driven by the increasing need to integrate modern IT technologies, already established in commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) environments, into safety-critical railway systems, the project addresses both unresolved technical challenges and regulatory constraints. Key focus areas include the use of innovative communication infrastructures, such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, and the deployment of standard IP-based network protocols in railway applications, for example in digital interlocking systems. The goal is to determine the operational feasibility and security of these technologies under railway-specific conditions, identify requirements for their certification, and uncover further development potential. Early identification of risks associated with large-scale rollout is also a central objective.

Approach
The project will systematically evaluate cybersecurity aspects of COTS technologies in railway environments, assessing their robustness, compliance with safety standards, and integration challenges. Both technical and regulatory dimensions will be considered to define necessary prerequisites for certification and safe operation. The work will also provide insights into potential vulnerabilities and mitigation strategies to guide secure deployment across the rail network.

Duration
Planned project start: 1st quarter of 2026
Project duration: 36 months

Use of results
The findings will inform the development of standards and regulations and provide scientific guidance to certification authorities and industry for the safe design and approval of railway products. In addition, the results will serve as a strategic advisory basis for policymakers, supporting the safe digital transformation of railway operations and facilitating informed decisions regarding future railway IT infrastructures.

Project objectives
Climate change is increasingly manifesting through more frequent and severe extreme weather events. Railway stations, stops, passengers, and staff are directly exposed to these conditions. The project aims to investigate the impacts of current and projected climate-related weather changes on stations and their users. It seeks to identify, develop, and evaluate climate adaptation measures to ensure safe, barrier-free, and attractive use of the railway system under extreme weather conditions.

Approach
The project will research and develop adaptation measures, assessing both investment and operational costs. These measures will be evaluated for feasibility and effectiveness, and practical guidance will be compiled and made available to the public. The analysis will integrate climate projections, passenger flow considerations, accessibility requirements, and operational constraints to ensure holistic, resilient solutions for station infrastructure.

Duration
Planned project start: 1st quarter of 2026
Project duration: 24 months

Use of results
The results will support enhancing the resilience of stations and stops against climate change impacts, mitigating health and safety risks for passengers and staff, and ensuring safe, accessible, and attractive station environments. The findings will serve as a practical reference for planners, operators, and policymakers to implement climate-adaptive measures effectively.