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, causing the need for development within this Destination of:

• Enabler 1: Automating functions, such as train preparation for both passenger and freight trains. Incident handling, vehicle self-healing and self-managing, cooperative awareness at TRL6 in 2028. The work shall also cover auto-diagnostics, operational tests and reset capability of DATO and next generation ATC operated trains.

Trains must be continuously traceable for traffic control and train operators in automated operation. For this purpose, this Destination should develop:

• Enabler 2: Absolute safe train positioning at TRL6 in 2028
• Enabler 3: Train integrity highly accurate and safe, incorporating new sensors at TRL7 in 2028. Train Safe Length Determination at TRL6 (SIL4) in 2028. For this specific enabler, close coordination with the action to be funded under Destination 5 is to be performed, including an action plan for joint testing activities to be delivered within Month 3 of the project.
• Enabler 4: new ATO technology solutions for the automated driving and decision-making, interoperable, and for all application and segments (including freight and regional) for commercial run at TRL 6/7 in 2028. It should include the already available integration of C-DAS and should include appropriate interfaces with TMS for energy network management;
• Enabler 5: Connectivity solutions: train to ground communication (FRMCS) at TRL7, Multiconnectivity Platform (formerly ACS) at TRL6, Satellite Communications (TRL4) and V2X (TRL6) in 2028.

Safe unattended operation must be ensured by comprehensive, modular, and scalable perception systems (on-board and trackside) for both outdoor and indoor environments. Systems shall be developed under this Demonstration for:

• Enabler 6: Safe environment perception, including signal reading (when applicable) and obstacle detection (including for level crossing), supporting cooperative awareness, supported by virtual certification at TRL6 in 2028. In addition, such systems shall support the monitoring and diagnosis of assets, beyond the incident prevention functionalities.

In transition (either technical or operational) or shunting mode, automated train operation requires the development in this Destination of:

• Enabler 7: Remote driving and command, for depots, for lines with low traffic, and for fall-back operations as well as for shunting at TRL6 in 2028.

Additionally, the Destination should develop:

• Enabler 8: Autonomous route setting, on low traffic/regional networks, in terminals, in depots and in urban environment at TRL5 in 2028.
• Enabler 9: a Digital Register, acting as a central data source for, e.g., safe train positioning, ATP, TMS and DATO at TRL6 in 2028.

Capability for offering more capacity to customers

• Enabler 10: The combination of radio based ETCS with ATO is key to increase the capacity of railway lines. The development of the following enablers is therefore essential: ETCS Hybrid Train Detection and Moving block systems, taking into account aspects related to relative braking distance. Activities shall reach TRL6 for 2028 demonstration.
• 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 at TRL5, 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). Activities shall reach TRL5 for the 2028 demonstration.
• Enabler 13: To maximise next generation ATC performance, a new generation of brake systems is needed to bring adjustable/configurable emergency brake control, the holding brake function and integrated adhesion management among other enhanced functionalities. This destination is expected to reach TRL6 for the 2028 demonstration.

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. Developments should reach TRL 6 in 2028.

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 in 2028.
• Enabler 17: Evolved onboard communication networks at TRL7 in 2028.
• Enabler 18: stable ETCS onboard supporting further end-to-end digital and automated rail operation. Activities can foresee rationalisation and consolidation of mature and generic ETCS onboard related interfaces (e.g. interface to TCMS, TIMS, localisation, ATO, FRMCS and HMI). This work should be performed in coordination with the EU-RAIL System Pillar. TRL3
• Deployment and migration strategic plans, including training and human factors.