To increase the railway capacity there are two main options: building new infrastructure and/or operating the rail system in a way that takes advantage of new technological and operational solutions. A major opportunity is offered by digitalization and automation of rail operation, where DATO (Digital “Automated” Train Operations) represents the most visible result of a major transformation of rail operations, which builds upon a next generation of Automatic Train Control (ATC), in addition to enhancements on the Train Control and Monitoring System (TCMS) allowing for integration at the on-board level.

The Flagship Project stemming from this topic should develop the following capabilities:

• Capability for improving operation performance: 

Automating functions, such as the wake-up and train preparation capability is needed to start operation.
Trains must be continuously traceable for traffic control and train operators in automated operation.
Safe unattended operation must be ensured by comprehensive, modular, and scalable perception systems (on-board and trackside) for both outdoor and indoor environments.
In transition (either technical or operational) or shunting mode, automated train operation.

• Capability for offering more capacity to customers: 

Enabler 10:  The development of the following enablers is therefore key: ETCS Hybrid Level 3; ETCS Level 3 and Moving block systems, taking into account aspects related to relative braking distance.
Enabler 11: A fully fledged Virtual coupling, another key element to achieve shorter headways and operational flexibility, supported by enhanced connectivity and localisation, shall also be developed, taking into account the outputs from the EU-Rail System Pillar.
Enabler 12: This development shall also include self-driving freight wagons (supporting cooperative awareness).
Enabler 13: To maximise next generation ATC performance, building upon the work achieved in the S2R Programme, a new generation of brake systems.

• Capability for supporting cost-effective deployment

Enabler 14: Technology as well and the operational procedures need to be validated and tested to ensure fast and safe deployment. To this end, this destination is expected to develop novel platform and facilities for testing, validation and (virtual) certification.
Enabler 15: Decoupling software from hardware and parts inside the software domain, and defining the steps needed to increase flexibility and reduce integration effort, need to be targeted. To make those improvements effective, an adapted development cycle including an adapted safety cases procedure and modularized certification is required for the reduction of integration efforts.

• Capabilities enabling operational objectives

The following enablers shall be developed:

Enabler 16: Modular platform based on next generation ATC architectures, for agreed on-board and trackside modular architecture, reaching TRL6/7 in 2025, and cover important preparatory works with higher TRL for the future set of demonstration foreseen in the Multi- annual Work programme in view of the evolutions of the solutions .
Enabler 17: Evolved onboard communication networks at TRL6 in 2025 and cover important preparatory works with higher TRL for the future set of demonstration foreseen in the Multi- annual Work programme in view of the evolutions of the solutions.
Enabler 18: Functional Open Coupling System prototype covering all required subsystems in an operational environment. Deployment and migration strategic plans, including training and human factors.