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          Discover Innovation pillar
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          Innovation Pillar

          EU-Rail’s Innovation Pillar (IP) is tasked to deliver operational and technological solutions that contribute to a more efficient, flexible, and demand-led, yet safe and environmentally sustainable European railway system. The activities undertaken aim at large-scale demonstrations and they also cover technologies of all readiness levels as well as exploratory research.

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          Explore System pillar

          About

          The System Pillar is the “generic system integrator” for the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail), and the architect of the future EU’s railway system.

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          Outputs

          Discover key outputs from the System Pillar.

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          Governance

          Discover the Governance structure and key decisions from the System Pillar.

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          Key documents

          Discover the System Pillar document library.

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          Discover System pillar

          System Pillar

          The System Pillar provides governance, resource, and outputs to support a coherent and coordinated approach to the evolution of the rail system and the development of the system view.

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          Discover Deployment Group
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          Deployment Group

          The Deployment Group advises the EU-Rail Governing Board on the market uptake of rail innovation developments and support their deployment. Its activities thus form a bridge between the research and innovation process and the coordinated implementation through recommendations for deployment in the rail system.

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          Explore the DAC Delivery Programme

          For a successful and effective implementation of the Digital Automatic Coupler for European rail freight (DAC), it is of crucial importance to have open, close and efficient cooperation between rail stakeholders. The European DAC Delivery Programme enabled by Europe’s Rail, offers a unique European platform for such cooperation and collaboration.

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          About Shift2Rail

          Explore more information about the Europe's Rail predecessor programme.

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          Explore Shift2Rail

          Shift2Rail Programme

          Explore the detailed information about the Shift2Rail Innovation Programmes.

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          Organisation

          Explore the structure of the Shift2Rail programme.

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          Shift2Rail Projects

          Get a glimpse of the Shift2Rail Projects and their achievements.

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          Discover Shift2Rail

          The Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking is the predecessor programme of the Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail), established by Council Regulation (EU) 2021/2085 of 19 November 2021.

           

          Discover Shift2Rail
        • Projects

          Discover detailed information on Europe's rail innovation initiatives, showcasing flagship and other projects aimed at enhancing rail systems across Europe. It highlights collaborative efforts funded by the European Union to develop sustainable, efficient, and competitive rail transport solutions.

           

          See projects
          Solutions catalogue

          Europe’s Rail Catalogue of Solutions illustrates successful R&I results in the form of possible products and solutions, while highlighting the benefits for final users, operators, infrastructure managers and/or suppliers. This publication also outlines the advantages of integrating demonstrators into market solutions so that they can deliver the rail innovation Capabilities of the future.

          See Solutions catalogue

        • Who we are?

          About Europe's Rail

          Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail) is established by Council Regulation (EU) 2021/2085 of 19 November 2021. It is the new European partnership on rail research and innovation established under the Horizon Europe programme (2020-2027) and the universal successor of the Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking.

           

          Discover About Europe's Rail
          Explore About Europe's Rail

          Mission and objectives

          The objective of Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking is to deliver a high capacity integrated European railway network by eliminating barriers to interoperability and providing solutions for full integration, covering traffic management, vehicles, infrastructure and services, aiming to achieve faster uptake and deployment of projects and innovations.

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          Preparatory Activities

          Discover the the processes and background information on the preparation of the Joint Undertaking.

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          Jobs

          Browse latest Europe's Rail vacancies.

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          Discover Europe's Rail Members

          Find out the full list of Europe's Rail Members.

           

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          Explore Structure of Governance

          Governing Board & General Assembly

          The Europe's Rail Governing Board oversees Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking, guiding strategy, budgets, and work plans. It includes the European Commission and rail industry stakeholders, aiming to innovate and integrate Europe's rail systems, boosting efficiency, sustainability, and alignment with EU Green Deal goals.

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          States Representatives Group

          The Europe's Rail States Representatives Group advises the Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking. It comprises representatives from EU member states and associated countries, ensuring alignment of Europe's Rail activities with national policies, facilitating cooperation, and providing input on rail innovation, integration, and sustainable development across Europe.

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          Scientific Steering Group

          The Europe's Rail Scientific Steering Group provides scientific and technical advice to the Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking. Comprising experts from academia and research institutions, it ensures that research projects align with cutting-edge science and innovation, supporting the development of a modern, sustainable European rail system.

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          Executive Director

          Find out more information about the Europe's Rail Executive Director.

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          Discover Structure of Governance

          Discover the full structure and governance of Europe's Rail, including the decisions of the Governing Board.

           

          Discover Structure of Governance
          Explore Reference Documents

          Key Documents

          Discover main Europe's Rail documentation.

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          Annual Work Plan and Budget

          Find out about our key priortires in our Annual Work Plans and Budget.

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          Annual Activity Report

          Discover the progress of our programme by downloading Europe's Rail Annual Activity Reports.

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          Annual Accounts

          Have a full overview of Europe's Rail Annual Accounts.

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          Functioning of the Europe's Rail JU

          Discover key documentation describing the general functioning of the JU.

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          Discover Reference Documents

          Get access to Europe's Rail main reference documents, including Annual Work Plans, Annual Activity Reports, Annual Accounts and other important information.

           

          Discover Reference Documents

Delivering a high
capacity integrated
European railway
network

3

News

Women in Rail 2024 Award: Harnessing Female Talent for a Competitive and Sustainable Future in Rail

Women in Rail 2024 Award: Harnessing Female Talent for a Competitive and Sustainable Future in Rail

Berlin, 24 September 2024 – At InnoTrans, the International Trade Fair for Transport Technology, the European Commission, Europe’s Rail Joint ...
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EU bodies join forces at InnoTrans 2024

EU bodies join forces at InnoTrans 2024

The European Commission (EC), the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA), and the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail) are pleased to ...
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Satellite positioning set to enhance train localisation

Satellite positioning set to enhance train localisation

As Europe’s railways expand, their safety and efficiency depend increasingly on knowing every train’s position. Traditional train detection ...
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The digitalisation of Europe’s railways starts with a dependable communications backbone

The digitalisation of Europe’s railways starts with a dependable communications backbone

The digitalisation of Europe’s railways has the potential to enhance efficiency and make rail more attractive to passengers. It can also play an ...
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Innovation: the key to maximising rail’s societal and economic impact

Innovation: the key to maximising rail’s societal and economic impact

Rail has the potential to significantly contribute to a number of key societal and economic objectives, including the growth of a smart, ...
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Ensuring safety, enhancing reliability

Ensuring safety, enhancing reliability

Europe’s railways are among the safest in the world. However, due to the growing complexity of rail, maintaining this status is becoming ...
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Making rail transport more sustainable, comfortable and quieter

Making rail transport more sustainable, comfortable and quieter

If rail is to become a more attractive transport option for passengers, there must be greater focus on reducing the energy consumption of ...
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Increasing railway line capacity starts with increased automation

Increasing railway line capacity starts with increased automation

An important aspect of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) is its ability to meet increasing demand for better on-time ...
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Transforming rail freight starts with smart wagon concepts

Transforming rail freight starts with smart wagon concepts

Rail freight transport is a complex but key activity within the overall railway system. Europe currently has around 500,000 freight wagons, and ...
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New freight propulsion concepts a ‘technological awakening’ for rail freight

New freight propulsion concepts a ‘technological awakening’ for rail freight

Rail freight has a critical role to play, both in terms of European competitiveness and in meeting the ambitious climate objectives set out in ...
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Calls

Europe's Rail Call for associated members is open for applications

On 21 June 2024, the Governing Board of Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail) adopted a Call for Expression of Interest (CEI) with a view to selecting associated members with the potential to contribute to the achievement of its objectives. The Governing Board decision can be accessed here.

Apply now

Projects & Solutions catalogue

Projects

Discover detailed information on Europe's rail innovation initiatives, showcasing flagship and other projects aimed at enhancing rail systems across Europe. It highlights collaborative efforts funded by the European Union to develop sustainable, efficient, and competitive rail transport solutions.

 

See projects
Solutions catalogue

Europe’s Rail Catalogue of Solutions illustrates successful R&I results in the form of possible products and solutions, while highlighting the benefits for final users, operators, infrastructure managers and/or suppliers. This publication also outlines the advantages of integrating demonstrators into market solutions so that they can deliver the rail innovation Capabilities of the future.

See Solutions catalogue

What we do?

Discover Innovation Pillar

EU-Rail's Innovation Pillar (IP) is tasked to deliver operational and technological solutions that contribute to a more efficient, flexible, and demand-led, yet safe and environmentally sustainable European railway system.

Learn more

Discover System Pillar

The System Pillar provides governance, resource, and outputs to support a coherent and coordinated approach to the evolution of the rail system and the development of the system view, based on a formal functional system architecture approach to speed innovation and deployment. 

Learn more

Discover Deployment Group

The Deployment Group advises the EU-Rail Governing Board on the market uptake of rail innovation developments and support their deployment. Its activities thus form a bridge between the research and innovation process and the coordinated implementation through recommendations for deployment in the rail system.

Learn more

Discover Shift2Rail

Shift2Rail is the predecessor programme of the Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking. To discover more information about the key outputs, click below.

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Europe's Rail