SCHWEIZERISCHE BUNDESBAHNEN SBB

Their core work

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) is Switzerland's national railway operator, one of Europe's most punctual and densely used rail networks. In H2020, SBB contributes as an end-user and operational testbed for next-generation railway technologies — advanced signalling (ETCS, moving block), automatic train operation, 5G-based communication systems, and intelligent asset management. Their involvement brings real-world operational requirements and infrastructure access to research consortia developing the future European railway system under the Shift2Rail programme.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

SBB's early H2020 work (2016–2018) focused on foundational railway R&D: control systems, IP communication, infrastructure monitoring (tracks, switches, bridges), and early-stage signalling research under Shift2Rail. From 2019 onward, the focus shifted decisively toward demonstrators, prototypes, and deployment-ready systems — automatic coupling for freight, 5G communications, GNSS-based train localisation, and traffic management evolution. This progression from research to prototyping signals that SBB is moving from exploring future concepts to validating them for operational deployment.

SBB is transitioning from research participation to operational validation, making them an increasingly valuable partner for projects needing real-world railway testbeds and deployment pathways.

How they like to work

SBB participates exclusively as a consortium partner — never as coordinator — which is typical for a major railway operator contributing operational expertise and infrastructure access rather than leading research. With 138 unique partners across 19 countries, they operate within large Shift2Rail consortia and maintain a broad European network. This makes them a reliable, low-friction partner who brings end-user validation and real-network testing capability without competing for project leadership.

SBB has collaborated with 138 unique partners across 19 countries, embedded deeply in the Shift2Rail ecosystem. Their network spans the major European railway operators, signalling manufacturers, and rail research institutes.

What sets them apart

As one of Europe's leading railway operators, SBB brings something most research partners cannot: access to a dense, high-frequency, operationally complex rail network for real-world testing. Their consistent participation across all major Shift2Rail innovation programmes (X2Rail, IN2TRACK, FR8RAIL) means they understand the full technology stack from signalling to infrastructure to freight. For any consortium needing an operational railway environment to validate research results, SBB is among the top choices in Europe.

Highlights from their portfolio

• CLUG
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 102,970) — focused on certifiable GNSS-based train localisation, a critical enabler for satellite-based signalling replacing trackside equipment.
• 5GRAIL
  Strategic project defining the 5G successor to GSM-R railway communications — positions SBB at the frontier of next-generation rail telecoms (EUR 78,350).
• X2Rail-1
  Longest-running project (2016–2021) and the starting point for the entire X2Rail signalling series, covering ATO, moving block, and ETCS foundations.