The future of rail transport took center stage at the InnoTrans 2024 trade fair in Berlin, as the MaDe4Rail project consortium presented the groundbreaking results of their year-long effort to integrate maglev technologies into traditional rail infrastructure. The project's closing dissemination event, "MaDe4Rail: Enhancing the Future of European Railways through Maglev-Derived Technologies", showcased the potential of these innovative systems to revolutionize rail performance, flexibility and sustainability.
The event kicked off with opening remarks from Professor Dario Lo Bosco, Chairman of Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) and of the Academy & Technical Methodologies of the Infrastructure Hub of FS Group, and Giorgio Travaini, Executive Director of Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking. Both speakers emphasized the critical role of collaborative research and innovation at European level in driving the rail sector's transformation to meet the mobility challenges of the future.
The project has been developed within Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking, the research and development program of the EU in which the main European players in the sector participate to accelerate over the next 10 years the development of a multimodal, integrated, natively digital, automated, sustainable and competitive railway system. As introduced by Davide Pifferi, Head of Europ's Rail & European R&I projects coordination and Management of FS, the FSI Group participates in the program as a Founding Member with a budget of € 55 Mio over the entire period.
“Innovation is the key to enhancing the role of railway even further and the potential gain at stake is immense, stated RFI’s CEO and General Director Gianpiero Strisciuglio in his keynote speech. A rail system that is faster, more efficient, more adaptable to shifting transport needs and even more sustainable: a rail system ready for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, preserving its role as the backbone of European mobility. At RFI, we are committed to making this vision a reality”.
Giuseppe Carcasi, Head of Technology & Digital Product Owner of RFI and MaDe4Rail Project Coordinator, delivered an in-depth presentation of the project's results. He outlined how integrating maglev technologies for propulsion, levitation and guidance into existing rail infrastructure as overlapping layers can yield quantum leaps in speed, frequency, automation and sustainability, while maximizing value from infrastructure investments. "MaDe4Rail has charted a path to phased, cost-effective implementation of maglev-derived systems as the technologies mature. The impact will be a rail network that is smarter, greener and more responsive to address long term transport needs." affirmed Carcasi.
The project team conducted comprehensive technical and socio-economic feasibility analyses with the 6 most promising use cases detailed in the presentation. These ranged from applications of linear motor technology to boost freight capacity on steep inclines and enable full electrification and automation in terminals, to the implementation of maglev-based systems on regional passenger lines for transformative performance upgrades.
The event also featured three dynamic panel discussions drawing upon the expertise of distinguished speakers from academia and industry.
The first panel, "Technological Maturity and Standardization Needs", moderated by Marjorie de Belen and Camilo Patiño Puerta of RFI, delved into the current state-of-the-art in maglev technologies and the standardization requirements for their successful integration into rail systems. Professor Luis Jesus Felez from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid discussed the key technological advancements needed to bring maglev-derived systems (MDS) to full maturity, particularly in signaling and control. Dr. William Liu from KTH Royal Institute of Technology explored how linear motors can help overcome limitations of traditional traction and braking systems and optimize track design. Dr. Simon Collart-Dutilleul from University Gustave Eiffel addressed safety risks and necessary regulatory changes for MDS. Professor Stefano Ricci from Development & Innovation in Transport Systems compared MDS implementation as an upgrade to existing infrastructure versus as a standalone system.
The second panel focused on "Technical Enablers and Industrialization Roadmap". With the same moderators, Stefan Kirch, CCO and Co-Founder of Nevomo, highlighted MDS performance enhancements in acceleration and deceleration and compared MDS to other emerging technologies like Hyperloop. Lorenzo Andrea Parrotta, Co-Founder of IronLev, provided an overview of passive magnetic levitation systems and the engineering challenges in designing interoperable MDS pods. Gerard Coquery, Scientific Director of TACV Lab, discussed strategies for social acceptance of MDS and the roadmap from R&D to industrial deployment. Michael Meyer Zu Hörste, DLR Chief Engineer, addressed integrating linear motors with signaling systems like ERTMS.
The final panel tackled "Integration Challenges in the Railway System" was moderated by Giuseppe Carcasi. Angela Nocita, Head of Innovation and Technical PoC for RFI, elaborated on the freight use cases analyzed and on long-distance passenger applications highlighting the performances and the benefits achievable. Stefano Casula, Head of Civil Design for Italferr, discussed how MDS can reduce carbon footprint in freight terminals, and enhance sustainability in the construction of new rail lines. Michel Gabrielsson, Strategic Planner at Trafikverket, described the use case for an MDS incline pusher system in Sweden and its potential impact on freight transport in hilly regions and on modal shift to rail. Gerardo Fasano, RAMS Project Manager at GESTE Engineering, explored the specific challenges of MDS integration into traditional rail infrastructure and potential vehicle and ground technology solutions.
Interactive Q&A sessions with each panel engaged the audience of rail sector leaders and stakeholders, sparking lively discussions on the future direction and impact of these revolutionary technologies.
The MaDe4Rail project, launched in June 2023 under the Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking, united 16 partners from across Europe counting infrastructure managers, transport authorities, engineering companies, technology developers, universities and research centres. It has a total project cost of 2.56 million euro, of which 1.50 million euro is financed by the European Commission.
Visit MaDe4Rail website.