Technological Development of Maglev-derived Systems

Looking at promising mobility system to complete the transport offer of rail-guided technologies, there is a need to evaluate the technical feasibility as well the effectiveness (under the safety, economic and performance related perspective) of the introduction of maglev-derived systems in Europe that can provide high-quality connections among cities and towns, fostering socio-economic development and territorial integration of the concerned areas, and contribute to create a single European mobility area. This requires the development of business case(s), considering the needs and requirements of the end customers and the stakeholders involved, and an analysis of the systems and technology needed for maglev-derived technologies implementation (e.g. in term of infrastructure, signalling, communication, etc.). The project stemming from this topic is also expected to identify the advantages and constraints of the new rail-guided system, against the current transport and mobility offer.

The Project stemming from this topic shall address all the following work streams and is expected to provide all the following:

Work stream 1: Technical definitions

Development of specific systems requirements specifications and system architecture, taking into consideration the propulsion system, command, control and signalling systems, safety and emergency systems, automation systems, including sensors, communication, data processing, etc. for the purpose of safe and efficient operation and cost-effective maintenance. The interfaces between different subsystems must be defined as well. In regard to the foreseen activities described above, interaction with the System Pillar shall be foreseen by the project stemming from this topic. As Maglev-derived systems share the same conceptual principles as conventional rail-guided systems, the maglev-specific or not specific technical enablers to implement the solution must be identified and validated considering the developments of other FAs.

Work stream 2: Development of business case analysis, including feasibility studies and use cases

The proposal shall identify the different use cases of a maglev-derived system and analysis to understand where the technology can be adopted as well as provide business cases and feasibility studies to assess the applicability and technological maturity of the system. (The different benefits in terms of economic, environmental and social aspects should be evaluated using CBA). Additionally, proposal shall include feasibility studies on possible existing concept designs.

The project shall contribute to deliver the expected outcomes and the work of the project should foresee:

Workstream 1:

• Identification and design concept of technical enablers and basic technologies supporting maglev-derived systems (TRL2)
• Risk analysis of maglev-derived system and Identification of needs for standardization on safety and security, including impact on existing regulation, in particular on the rail Technical Specification for Interoperability
• Identification of potential technologies and subsystems derived for maglev-derived systems that could be imported back into the railway system itself, with benefits in terms of increased performance, reduction of costs and impacts related to operations.
• In interaction with the System Pillar, gap analysis / Specific requirements against conventional System requirements specification and system architecture definitionDesign a concept of the vehicle with a maglev-derived system including vehicle equipment e.g. ventilation, heating, air conditioning, etc, as well propulsion system, command, control and signalling systems, safety and emergency systems, automation systems, including sensors, communication, data processing, etc (TRL2)

Work stream 2:

• Technical feasibility studies and technological maturity assessment for passenger and freight applications of the maglev-derived system
• Economical evaluation of maglev-derived systems including identification of different use cases (business case/s e.g., by means of a CBA)
• Evaluation of possible operating procedures for driving operations, CCS, TMS, Station management, considering possible hybrid use of infrastructures (conventional / maglev-derived system).
• Design of the prototype of a sample vehicle for one use case identified as per the economical evaluation study (TRL2)
• Development of a European roadmap for its possible future implementation using the use cases defined in this workstream

Interactions with other EU-RAIL projects:

The System Pillar will deliver a new functional system architecture for the railway system, which will have an impact on the overall system design, including its interfaces between sub-systems. The action to be funded under this topic should interact with the System Pillar and shall take into consideration the work to be released by the System Pillar and its evolution.

Gender dimension

In this topic the integration of the gender dimension (sex and gender analysis) in research and innovation content is not a mandatory requirement.

Activities are expected to be of low TRL, with possible existing concept designs at TRL2/3, higher TRL are possible – see General Annex B for a guide to the TRL definitions and criteria to be used.