FAIVELEY TRANSPORT ITALIA SPA

Their core work

Faiveley Transport Italia is a major railway equipment manufacturer specializing in traction systems, braking systems, doors, HVAC, and other critical rolling stock subsystems. As part of the Wabtec/Faiveley Transport group, they bring industrial-scale manufacturing capability and deep domain expertise to EU railway research. Their H2020 work focuses on developing next-generation train components — from silicon carbide (SiC) power electronics for traction drives to condition-based maintenance systems for freight wagons. They serve as a technology supplier and validation partner across the full spectrum of rail vehicle subsystems.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2015-2018), Faiveley concentrated on core component R&D — SiC traction drives, brake adhesion modelling, noise reduction, and propulsion reliability — reflecting a traditional subsystem supplier role. From 2018 onward, their scope broadened significantly: PIVOT2 brought them into full vehicle-level integration (doors, HVAC, interiors), the FR8RAIL series moved into freight digitalization and electrification, and TAURO introduced autonomous train operations. This evolution shows a clear shift from component-level R&D toward integrated vehicle systems and digital rail technologies.

Faiveley is expanding from traditional mechanical/electrical subsystems toward digital rail — autonomous operation, condition-based maintenance, and system-of-systems architecture — positioning for the smart railway transition.

How they like to work

Faiveley operates exclusively as a consortium partner — zero coordinator roles across 12 projects, which is typical for large industrial suppliers who contribute domain expertise and hardware validation rather than project management. With 103 unique partners across 14 countries, they maintain a very broad network, suggesting they are a sought-after industrial partner in the Shift2Rail ecosystem. Their consistent presence across multiple Shift2Rail phases (PINTA→PINTA2, FR8RAIL II→IV, CONNECTA→CONNECTA-3) indicates reliable, long-term engagement rather than one-off participation.

With 103 unique consortium partners spread across 14 countries, Faiveley has one of the broader collaboration networks in EU rail research. Their partnerships span the major European railway nations, anchored in the Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking community.

What sets them apart

Faiveley brings something rare to consortia: a single industrial partner that covers multiple critical train subsystems — traction, brakes, doors, HVAC, and interiors — under one roof. This breadth means they can contribute to vehicle-level integration challenges that most suppliers cannot address alone. Their sustained involvement across successive Shift2Rail phases (PINTA→PINTA2, FR8RAIL II→IV) demonstrates proven ability to deliver across multi-year research programs, making them a low-risk industrial partner for railway innovation projects.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PIVOT2
  Their largest single project (EUR 2.3M) covering the widest range of vehicle subsystems — carbody, running gear, brakes, doors, interiors, and HVAC.
• FR8RAIL IV
  Addresses the strategic goal of a Single European Railway Area for freight, covering automatic coupling, long trains up to 1500m, and freight locomotive innovation.
• TAURO
  Marks their entry into autonomous rail operations — ATO, ADAS, and environment perception — signalling a strategic shift toward digital rail technologies.