Safe4Rail-3 · Project

Smarter, Wireless Train Control Systems That Cut Maintenance Costs and Boost Reliability

transportPilotedTRL 7

Imagine every train car is connected by heavy, expensive cables that carry control signals — and when one cable fails, the whole system can go down. This project replaced those cables with wireless connections and upgraded the wired backbone to work more like a modern internet network, where data arrives exactly on time, every time. They also borrowed proven technology from the car industry (AUTOSAR) to run systems like air conditioning more efficiently. The goal was to take all of this from lab demos to something ready to install on real trains.

By the numbers

TRL 6/7

Target technology readiness level for TCMS components

Consortium partners

European countries represented

75%

Industry partners in consortium

Technological pillars developed

Real demonstrators for validation

Total project deliverables

The business problem

What needed solving

Train control and monitoring systems today rely on heavy, expensive cabling and proprietary protocols that lock operators into single vendors. When cables degrade or fail, maintenance is costly and downtime is unacceptable. Railway manufacturers and operators need lighter, more reliable, interoperable communication systems that multiple suppliers can provide — but the technology has to meet strict safety and determinism requirements that standard wireless and Ethernet cannot guarantee out of the box.

The solution

What was built

The project built three sets of hardware and software: (1) Drive-by-Data Ethernet train backbone nodes and car switches using Time-Sensitive Networking for deterministic communications, (2) prototype wireless equipment and antennas for Wireless TCMS validated through ray-tracing simulations and on-site testing, and (3) an HVAC control system running on an AUTOSAR-based open platform. All were validated in two real demonstrators at TRL 6/7.

Audience

Who needs this

Rolling stock manufacturers (Alstom, Siemens Mobility, CAF, Stadler) looking for next-gen train communication systemsRailway wireless equipment suppliers wanting validated antenna designs for train environmentsHVAC and onboard subsystem providers seeking open integration platformsRailway operators planning fleet modernization with lower maintenance costsSystem integrators working on Shift2Rail and Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking programmes

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Railway rolling stock manufacturing

enterprise

Target: Train manufacturers and system integrators

If you are a rolling stock manufacturer struggling with costly, heavy cabling for train control systems — this project developed Ethernet-based Train Backbone Nodes and Car Switches using Time-Sensitive Networking that add determinism to communications. These devices reached TRL 6/7 and were validated in real demonstrators, meaning you can evaluate them for your next-generation train platforms to reduce wiring weight, cut maintenance costs, and improve reliability.

Railway wireless communications

mid-size

Target: Telecom equipment suppliers serving rail operators

If you are a wireless equipment supplier looking to enter or expand in the railway market — this project built and tested prototype wireless equipment and antennas for Wireless TCMS covering both train backbone and car-level domains. Ray-tracing simulations and on-site validations identified optimal antenna locations and radiation patterns. With 12 consortium partners across 7 countries already aligned on standards, this opens a path to supply validated wireless hardware.

Railway HVAC and onboard subsystems

mid-size

Target: HVAC system providers for trains

If you are an HVAC supplier for railway vehicles dealing with proprietary control interfaces that lock you into single vendors — this project integrated heating, ventilation and air conditioning functionality onto an open platform using AUTOSAR principles borrowed from the automotive industry. This means your systems can plug into a standardized communication layer, enabling multi-vendor interoperability and reducing your integration costs across different train platforms.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to adopt these next-generation TCMS components?

The project's EU contribution amount is not available in the dataset, so specific development costs cannot be quoted. However, the objective states these technologies reduce development and maintenance costs by replacing proprietary cabling with standardized Ethernet and wireless alternatives. Cost savings come from lighter wiring, fewer connectors, and multi-vendor sourcing.

Are these technologies ready for industrial-scale deployment?

The project explicitly targeted TRL 6/7, meaning technology demonstrated and validated in a relevant environment. Two real demonstrators were set up for validation. This puts the technology past prototype stage but likely still requiring final engineering for series production.

What is the IP situation — can we license or buy these components?

The consortium of 12 partners includes 9 industrial organizations across 7 countries. IP is likely shared among consortium members under the grant agreement. Businesses interested in licensing specific components (TSN nodes, wireless equipment, AUTOSAR-based platforms) should contact the coordinator UNIFE or the relevant industrial partner.

Does this align with upcoming railway standards?

Yes. The project specifically addresses IEC 61375 standards for train communication networks and conducted safety and security assessments based on upcoming standardization. Results were designed to contribute back to standardization efforts, meaning early adopters would be ahead of compliance requirements.

How long before this can be installed on actual trains?

The project ran from December 2020 to November 2023 and achieved TRL 6/7 validation in real demonstrators. Moving from TRL 7 to commercial deployment typically requires final certification and industrialization. Based on the project timeline and the Shift2Rail programme roadmap, industrial deployment could follow within a few years.

Can these components work with our existing train systems?

The project paid special attention to manufacturer interoperability and availability of multiple sources, as stated in the objective. The use of Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) standards and AUTOSAR principles specifically targets open, multi-vendor compatibility rather than proprietary lock-in.

Consortium

Who built it

The Safe4Rail-3 consortium is heavily industry-driven: 9 out of 12 partners are industrial organizations, giving a 75% industry ratio across 7 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Sweden). This is coordinated by UNIFE, the European Rail Industry Association based in Belgium. The presence of major rail-industry nations (Germany, France, Italy, Spain) signals that the results are designed with Europe's largest railway markets in mind. With only 1 university and 1 research organization, this is clearly an industrialization project, not a research exercise. For a business looking to adopt these technologies, the consortium composition means the outputs were shaped by companies that build and operate real train systems.

UNION DES INDUSTRIES FERROVIAIRES EUROPEENNES - UNIFECoordinator · BE
WESTERMO NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES ABparticipant · SE
RINA CONSULTING SPAparticipant · IT
COMSA INSTALACIONES Y SISTEMAS INDUSTRIALES SAparticipant · ES
TTTECH INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION AGparticipant · AT
ETAS GMBHparticipant · DE
TUV SUD RAIL GMBHparticipant · DE
TTTECH COMPUTERTECHNIK AGthirdparty · AT
EURECOM GIEparticipant · FR
MOXA EUROPE GMBHparticipant · DE
IKERLAN S. COOPparticipant · ES

How to reach the team

UNIFE (Union des Industries Ferroviaires Européennes) in Belgium coordinates this project. As the European rail industry association, they can direct inquiries to the right technology partner within the 12-member consortium.

Order a report on this consortium See UNION DES INDUSTRIES FERROVIAIRES EUROPEENNES - UNIFE profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore how Safe4Rail-3's wireless TCMS or TSN components could fit your rolling stock or subsystem business? SciTransfer can arrange a targeted introduction to the right consortium partner for your specific need.

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