WP16 Sustainable and cost-efficient eco-design for rail assets

To respond to current challenges (particularly climate issues) new solutions for a more sustainable railway system with improved performance and capacity must emerge. Therefore, this WP will focus on extending the lifespan of infrastructure subsystems across Europe that are limited by single components. The WP is aimed at lowering the overall maintenance downtimes of track and turnout systems while increasing the availability of the rail lines. In addition, life cycle cost of assets is simultaneously reduced. 

WP17 Repair metallic assets and spare parts for vehicles using Additive Manufacturing

WP18 Robotics Platform

The development of a robotics platform and of it related tools (e.g., a certification framework) is one of the priorities for the railway industry. It gives birth to a new generation of cross-border tooling. For many reasons, railway robots must be developed in modular form (composed of standard building blocks selected according to the need). Therefore, a platform, and even more so an open-source platform, is the best strategy for implementation. Standard existing technical tools to support this strategy are analysed. Some are selected and adapted for railway applications. 

WP19 Exoskeleton and Augmented Reality for railway maintenance

The aim of this WP is the development of novel and smart assistive tools to support workers in their daily railway maintenance tasks. More specifically, technology is developed to improve human safety and skills in workplace through Exoskeleton and Augmented Reality systems. Real use case specifications must be gathered, and improved systems and technology is to be developed. Finally, novel exoskeleton and AR tools are to be tested and demonstrated in real railway maintenance tasks. The goal is to demonstrate developed technology in real working sites reaching TRL5.