SLOVENSKE ZELEZNICE DOO

Their core work

Slovenske Železnice is Slovenia's national railway operator, providing both passenger and freight rail services across the country and connecting to European rail networks. In H2020, they serve as a real-world testing ground and operational partner for railway innovation — contributing practical railway operations expertise to projects focused on track infrastructure, signalling systems, energy management at stations, and cybersecurity for critical transport infrastructure. Their participation spans the full breadth of Shift2Rail initiatives, from physical track improvements to digital train control and automation systems.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2016–2018, Slovenske Železnice focused on physical railway infrastructure — tracks, switches, crossings, bridges, and tunnels — alongside early explorations of station energy management and freight automation. From 2019 onward, the focus shifted decisively toward digital and automated systems: advanced signalling (moving block), automatic train operation, cybersecurity, and integrated technology demonstrators. This mirrors the broader Shift2Rail programme's progression from infrastructure research to digital railway transformation.

Moving from physical infrastructure research toward digitalized, automated, and cyber-resilient railway operations — making them increasingly relevant for smart transport and critical infrastructure protection projects.

How they like to work

Slovenske Železnice participates exclusively as a partner, never as coordinator — consistent with their role as a national railway operator providing real-world operational environments rather than driving research agendas. With 141 unique partners across 21 countries in just 8 projects, they operate in very large Shift2Rail consortia, typically alongside major European rail operators, signalling manufacturers, and research institutes. This makes them an accessible and experienced consortium partner who understands the dynamics of large EU collaborative projects.

With 141 unique partners across 21 countries from only 8 projects, Slovenske Železnice is deeply embedded in the European Shift2Rail ecosystem. Their network connects them to the major railway operators, system integrators, and rail research organizations across Europe.

What sets them apart

As Slovenia's national railway operator, they bring something many research-heavy consortia lack: a mid-sized European rail network available as a living laboratory for testing and validation. Their progression from infrastructure projects to digital signalling and cybersecurity means they can serve as an end-user validation partner across the full spectrum of railway innovation. For consortium builders, they represent a real operator in a strategically located Central European transit country connecting Western and Southeastern Europe.

Highlights from their portfolio

• IN2STEMPO
  Their largest funded project (EUR 207K) and longest-running (2017-2023), focused on the intersection of stations, energy, and smart metering — a growing area for railway decarbonization.
• X2Rail-5
  Covers the convergence of moving block signalling, cybersecurity, and formal verification methods — representing the digital future of European rail operations.
• PRECINCT
  Their only non-transport-focused project, applying digital twins and serious games to critical infrastructure protection — signals a broadening into security beyond rail.