RMR Newsletter January 2025

January 2025

Dear reader,

In 2024, European railway research has made significant progress that paves the way for future innovations. One outstanding event was InnoTrans 2024, where companies, research institutions and political decision-makers presented new developments in rail transport to a broad audience.

Also noteworthy was the high-speed train journey from Brussels to Berlin, which brought together key players in the industry and symbolised the seamless networking of European rail transport.

Another highlight was the remote control of a tram from Oslo, which demonstrated the progress made in the automation and control of light rail systems. In addition, live demonstrations of the Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) were carried out in the Train Test Lab in Spandau, which highlighted the potential for increased efficiency and interoperability in the European rail network.

ERA published its 2024 Railway Safety and Interoperability Report, which confirmed that Europe's railways continue to be among the safest in the world. The report emphasised the importance of a positive safety culture and proposed the introduction of an EU-wide safety reporting system to improve areas such as level crossings and occupational safety.

In 2025, research will continue to focus on the digitalisation and automation of rail transport. It is expected that projects to develop autonomous trains and improve digital infrastructure will be intensively promoted. Research into new drive technologies such as hydrogen and battery trains will also continue.

Research Results Published

Oscillation behaviour of the overhead contact line with several pantographs

The project of the German Centre for Rail Transport Research (DZSF) investigates the vibration behaviour of the overhead contact line when several pantographs are used in multiple units. The aim was to develop a simulation method to analyse the mechanical excitation of the overhead contact line by various pantograph configurations. The method was implemented prototypically and validated, whereby various parameters of the overhead contact line system were modelled and their effects on contact force and contact wire lift were examined. The results help to determine the permissibility of certain pantograph combinations for parameterised overhead contact lines.

Automated digital inventory of trackside infrastructure from aerial survey data

The project investigates the automated digital inventory of trackside infrastructure using terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and unmanned laser scanning (ULS). The focus is on the application areas of monitoring gravitational mass movements, vegetation, structures and infrastructure elements. Point clouds were created at four sites to evaluate the measurement accuracy of the methods and assess their suitability for the above-mentioned applications. The report contains an introduction to the methodology of laser scanning, compares various laser scanners and explains the methodological approach to data acquisition and evaluation.

Macroeconomic significance of the German railway sector based on investment activity

The project examines the overall economic importance of the German rail sector on the basis of investment activity. The study, conducted by INFRAS AG and DIW Berlin, analyses investments in rail infrastructure and rolling stock in 2021. These investments amount to around 11 billion euros for infrastructure and 2.6 billion euros for rolling stock. The resulting added value amounts to approximately €8.1 billion for infrastructure and €0.8 billion for rolling stock. Overall, these investments secure around 163,000 full-time jobs, of which about 107,000 are in the directly involved industries and 54,000 are due to indirect effects.

Supply concept and integration of renewable energies into new refuelling and charging infrastructure

The project investigates the integration of renewable energies into new refuelling and charging infrastructures for local rail transport. The aim is to establish alternative drive concepts such as fuel cell and battery-electric multiple units on non-electrified lines. Photovoltaic and wind energy systems for energy supply were investigated using simulations. The study analyses the future energy demand and grid load caused by these infrastructures and shows that local renewable energy sources can contribute to cost and CO2 reduction, provided that suitable site conditions are available.

Sensor-based technologies in the rail system: market and technology analysis

This project analyses the use of sensor-based technologies in the rail system. 43 use cases for sensor solutions in the areas of vehicle manufacturing, infrastructure manufacturing, vehicle maintenance, infrastructure maintenance and rail operations were identified. These use cases were evaluated in terms of their added value and feasibility. A market and technology analysis examined the requirements, stakeholders and existing technologies for digital systems and data interfaces. The project provides a comprehensive knowledge base for the development and implementation of sensor solutions in the rail system.

Harmonised European Railway Diagnostics

The HERD project (Harmonised European Railway Diagnostics) aimed to develop a harmonised diagnostic system for European railways. The project ran from April to October 2024 and was funded as part of the Horizon Europe programme.

Main objectives:

Development of a harmonised diagnostic system: A standardised system for monitoring and diagnosing railway infrastructure was developed. This system enables consistent and accurate collection of data on the condition of the infrastructure.
Improving reliability and safety: The harmonisation of the diagnostic systems has increased the reliability and safety of the railway infrastructure. This helps to minimise breakdowns and make maintenance more efficient.
Promoting cooperation: The project promoted cooperation between various European railway companies and research institutions. This enabled the exchange of knowledge and best practices, leading to better integration and utilisation of the diagnostic systems.

Results:

Technological innovations: New technologies and methods have been developed that improve the diagnosis and monitoring of railway infrastructure. These include advanced sensors and data analysis tools.
Pilot projects: Several pilot projects were successfully carried out to test the effectiveness of the new diagnostic system in real-life scenarios. These pilot projects showed positive results in terms of accuracy and reliability.
Long-term impact: The implementation of the harmonised diagnostic system is expected to lead to a reduction in maintenance costs and an increase in operational efficiency in the long term.

Study: Global market for simulators in train driver training

This Report evaluates the key market trends, drivers, and affecting factors shaping the global outlook for Railway Training Simulation System and breaks down the forecast by Type, by Application, geography, and market size to highlight emerging pockets of opportunity. With a transparent methodology based on hundreds of bottom-up qualitative and quantitative market inputs, this study forecast offers a highly nuanced view of the current state and future trajectory in the global Railway Training Simulation System.

United States market for Railway Training Simulation System is estimated to increase from US$ 46.30 million in 2023 to US$ 53.85 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 2.21% from 2024 through 2030.
China market for Railway Training Simulation System is estimated to increase from US$ 96.88 million in 2023 to US$ 132.79 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.52% from 2024 through 2030.
Europe market for Railway Training Simulation System is estimated to increase from US$ 137.20 million in 2023 to US$ 182.51 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 3.72% from 2024 through 2030.

The global market size for simulators in education is forecast to increase from EUR 375.96 million in 2023 to EUR 487.85 million in 2030. This corresponds to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.79% from 2024 to 2030. The continuous growth is mainly driven by the strong demand in China, Europe and other regions, which are pushing ahead with the expansion of their high-speed railroads and the implementation of new mass transit projects.
The market is dominated by many well-known international suppliers such as CORYS, Chengdu Yunda and SOGECLAIR Simulation. In addition, numerous local companies and specialized providers are entering the competition to cover specific application areas.

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The study is available in the following versions:

Executive Summary 900$/800€
The core results of the study are presented, the file contains graphics on the world market.
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Complete study including the executive summary and all graphics, suitable for use in a small team.
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Complete study including executive summary and all graphics plus all data in an Excel spreadsheet.