FAST-TRACKS · Project

Low-Cost Wireless System for Reliable Train-to-Track Communication

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Imagine trying to keep dozens of trains running safely on busy urban tracks, but the Wi-Fi connecting them to the control center keeps dropping out — like trying to stream a movie on a patchy connection, except lives are at stake. FAST-TRACKS built a cheaper, more robust wireless system that fills the coverage gaps in railway radio networks. It's designed to work alongside existing train control systems like ERTMS and CBTC without ripping out what's already there. The Italian SME behind it had already proven the technology works in Phase I and received the EU's Seal of Excellence twice before moving to commercialization.

By the numbers

100%

Industry ratio in consortium

Total project deliverables produced

EU Seal of Excellence awards received

SME partner (sole developer and IP owner)

The business problem

What needed solving

Urban and suburban rail networks are growing fast, but the wireless communication systems connecting trains to trackside controls can't keep up. Traditional Wi-Fi installations in railway environments suffer from coverage gaps, limited robustness, and insufficient capacity for safety-critical signaling — blocking the rollout of modern train control systems like ERTMS and CBTC at full scale.

The solution

What was built

FAST-TRACKS developed a low-cost wireless telecommunication system designed to fill coverage gaps in railway radio infrastructure, supporting both CBTC and ERTMS standards. The project produced 11 deliverables including marketing materials and a project website, building on Phase I results that proved technological and economic viability.

Audience

Who needs this

Urban metro and suburban rail operators with wireless coverage gapsRailway signaling companies integrating CBTC or ERTMS systemsCity transport authorities upgrading rail infrastructure for capacityRailway maintenance companies needing reliable wireless data linksSystem integrators building smart rail solutions for European markets

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Urban Rail Operators

enterprise

Target: Metro and suburban rail operators struggling with wireless coverage gaps

If you are a metro or suburban rail operator dealing with unreliable wireless coverage along your tracks — this project developed a low-cost telecommunication system that integrates with your existing Wi-Fi and railway signaling infrastructure. It addresses the functional gap in radio coverage that prevents large-scale use of wireless train control. The system was designed for CBTC and ERTMS environments, meaning it slots into standards you already use.

Railway Signaling & Telecom

mid-size

Target: Companies supplying communication and signaling equipment to railways

If you are a railway signaling supplier looking for a cost-effective wireless communication layer to bundle with your CBTC or ERTMS solutions — this project developed a system that solves the coverage and robustness problems of traditional Wi-Fi in rail environments. The technology was validated for both automatic train control data and passenger security information transfer. It could complement your existing product line without requiring a full infrastructure overhaul.

Smart City Infrastructure

enterprise

Target: City transport authorities modernizing urban rail networks

If you are a city transport authority planning capacity upgrades for your urban or suburban rail lines — this project built a wireless system specifically designed to increase track capacity and operational efficiency. It supports simultaneous data traffic for train control and security monitoring. The solution was developed by an Italian SME with a proven track record, having passed EU Phase I viability assessment and earned the Seal of Excellence twice.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does this system cost compared to traditional railway communication upgrades?

The project explicitly targets a 'low cost telecommunication system' as its core value proposition. Exact pricing is not published in the available project data, but the SME Instrument Phase 2 funding specifically supports commercialization of cost-competitive solutions. Contact the coordinator for current pricing.

Can this work at industrial scale across a full metro network?

The system was designed for large-scale use in railway signaling infrastructure, addressing coverage gaps that currently prevent full-scale wireless train control deployment. Phase I successfully demonstrated technological and economic viability. The technology supports simultaneous data traffic for automatic train control and security information across entire networks.

What is the IP situation — can we license this technology?

FAST-TRACKS was developed by a single SME (COMESVIL SPA, Italy) with 100% industry consortium, meaning all IP sits with one commercial entity. This simplifies licensing negotiations significantly. Based on available project data, the technology is positioned for commercialization, suggesting licensing or direct purchase options may be available.

Does this comply with European railway standards like ERTMS?

Yes — the project was specifically designed to integrate with both Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) and the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS). These are the two main EU-standard railway control technologies, so the system is built for regulatory compatibility from the ground up.

How long would it take to deploy this alongside our existing infrastructure?

The system was designed to integrate with existing Wi-Fi infrastructure rather than replace it, which should reduce deployment time compared to full overhauls. Based on available project data, one key advantage cited is reduced installation time thanks to wireless architecture. Specific deployment timelines would depend on your network size and current setup.

What kind of data can the system handle?

The system was built to convey simultaneously both automatic train control data and security and passenger control information. This dual-purpose capability means a single wireless layer can replace what might otherwise require separate communication channels. The high redundancy design ensures robustness for safety-critical applications.

Is the company behind this still active and providing support?

COMESVIL SPA is an Italian private commercial SME that served as sole coordinator. The project ran from 2017 to 2019 and included marketing collateral and a project website among its deliverables, indicating commercial intent. Based on available project data, the company had a functioning website at fasttracks.eu during the project period.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a single-company project: COMESVIL SPA, an Italian SME and private commercial entity that is the sole consortium member. The 100% industry ratio and SME status mean all development, IP, and commercialization decisions sit with one company — no university or research institute partners to complicate licensing. For a buyer, this is ideal: one point of contact, one entity that owns everything, and a company that was already commercially motivated enough to win SME Instrument Phase 2 funding and earn the Seal of Excellence twice. The risk is concentration — if COMESVIL has capacity constraints or goes under, there's no fallback partner.

COMESVIL SPACoordinator · IT

How to reach the team

COMESVIL SPA (Italy) — railway telecom SME, sole project partner and IP owner

Order a report on this consortium See COMESVIL SPA profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to COMESVIL SPA to discuss licensing or deployment of FAST-TRACKS wireless railway communication technology? SciTransfer can arrange a direct meeting with the development team.

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