Alstom presents its strategy: Alstom in Motion 2025
Last July, Alstom´s Executive Board approved the Alstom in Motion 2025 strategic plan, as well as the Group’s medium-term financial targets.
The new strategy will focus on capturing market growth opportunities, strengthen Alstom’s innovation leadership, drive efficiency throughout the new organization and ensure the successful integration of Bombardier Transportation.
The strategy also envisages major advances in sustainability, such as a 25% reduction in energy consumption in all rail solutions, 100% of new solutions having eco-design criteria, and 100% of energy supply coming from renewable energy sources. In terms of intelligent mobility, the Group aims to have fully autonomous train prototypes for freight and passengers by 2023.
Alstom faces these new challenges with a solid foundation and, following the acquisition of Bombardier Transportation, with a reinforced dimension.
ArcelorMittal has launched XCarb®
As part of the company commitment to reduce CO2 emissions by 35% by 2030 in Europe, with a further ambition to achieve net zero by 2050. XCarb® will bring together all low and zero-carbon products and steelmaking activities, as well as wider initiatives and green innovation projects.
When it comes to the railway sector, ArcelorMittal Rails & Special Sections is also at the forefront of bringing innovative solutions with the future in mind. Increasing the length of our rails provide further savings in track safety, welding, track laying and maintenance cost.
Our solutions are also adapted to the different applications in order to increase their service life and reduce maintenance, such as: our low carbon grades for tramway, new hardness grades for heavy haul and our new range of corrosion-resistant rails, RailCor, that offers protection in severe environments. In addition, we contribute to extend the 4.0 transformation of the rail sector with the launch of several digital tools such as the new Rail Tool app, Life Cycle Cost models and predictive maintenance.
Ardanuy Ingeniería: contributing its R&D work to drive forward the Railway Sector
The development of the main railway networks in the world, including the Spanish rail network, relies on the solutions and services of highly specialized consulting firms in the sector. Among them is Ardanuy Ingeniería, which contributes its know-how and research developments to the implementation of high-speed systems, conventional railway lines, subways, trams, light rails and cable cars throughout the world.
Along with the more than 1,500 technical assistance and project management contracts in more than 60 countries, the consulting company has a very prominent role in the innovation of rail technology and software. The firm has developed its own state-of-the-art programs that have been used to improve all types of transport networks. These software programs include Railpower, Rail Traffic, AutoElec, SimOLE as well as Railgetaway. In addition, Ardanuy is part of international R&D initiatives such as Shif2Rail in which the goal is to increase the levels of cybersecurity, energy storage, signalling, automization and communications through its participation in various projects such as: Etalon, Astrail, Mistral and Óptima.
CAF
Over the next few years, a significant volume of European funds is expected to arrive in Spain, a recovery plan in which the part dedicated to the ecological transition of our economy will play a significant role. Mobility is the most prominent sector in this area, as demonstrated by the fact that the Sustainable, Safe and Connected Mobility Strategy includes an endowment of more than 13.2 billion euros until 2023.
The CAF Group, from its position as one of the leaders in the sustainable mobility sector, trusts in being part of the group of companies that help to achieve the objectives of the aforementioned plan. For this, the following main lines of action have been marked:
- The decarbonisation of rail transport, through the development of propulsion systems with H2 and batteries for trains, betting on the transformation and renewal of the current fleet of diesel trains.
- Promote the renewal of the urban and metropolitan bus fleet with zero-emission models, both electric and H2, and its associated charging infrastructure, thanks to its complete range of sustainable bus models.
- The development of autonomous, efficient and resilient transport systems, through the implementation of advanced autonomous driving systems in key transport segments, as well as the optimization of operation and maintenance, improving the availability and safety of fleets thanks to to Big Data and advanced analytics.
CAF Signalling modernises the Madrid-Vicálvaro freight terminal with Quasar Q4
CAF Signalling is participating in the project to modernise the Madrid-Vicálvaro freight terminal with the new generation Quasar Q4 interlocking system, developed entirely by CAF Singalling.
This new model, on which CAF Signalling has been working for ten years, is an evolution of the Quasar S3e and provides considerable improvements over its predecessor. Among others, it has greater capacity (up to 40 high density modules per node for field element control); a more flexible architecture, as it ranges from compact interlocking to distributed interlocking with multiple nodes; it has new generation microprocessors with higher processing speed; native IP/Ethernet communications, prepared for the new secure digital infrastructures and new communication standards; it is more resistant to adverse weather conditions, can be installed in outdoor cabinets, etc.
In addition, the Quasar Q4 interlocking is easily expandable with more nodes to control the entire terminal in the near future.
COMSA participates in the creation of the single BIM classification for the railway sector
COMSA has participated, together with twenty-five companies and entities of the railway sector, in the process of creating the unique BIM classification, a key initiative framed in the LE BIM strategic line, promoted by Railway Innovation Hub.
This classification will allow the promotion of the Building Information Modelling (BIM) methodology in civil works, especially in the railway sector, as well as the use of the digital twin. Focused on the digitisation of infrastructures, the classification develops for the first time specific concepts of railway technology, which will facilitate its use and application in this sector.
The completion of the single BIM classification has been the result of the work carried out by Spanish companies with a high level of national and international expertise and their knowledge of railway infrastructure throughout its life cycle, as well as its commissioning and safety analysis in accordance with the applicable national and European regulations.
Other companies in the sector, as well as technology centres, associations, infrastructure managers and operators have also participated alongside COMSA.
The result of this collaboration is available for download on the Railway Innovation Hub website, https://www.railwayinnovationhub.com/bim/.
IDOM. Digital design and modeling of Vibroacoustic mitigation solutions for Metro de Santiago (Chile)
IDOM is working with the Santiago Metro on the development of mitigation measures at the rolling stock workshop and depot facilities. By measuring data using state-of-the-art technology, IDOM develops predictive noise models, including induced noise and vibrations, incorporating mitigation elements, available in the marketplace, that reduce the levels to those required by Chilean environmental regulations.
The ultimate goal of these simulations is to improve the quality of life of the residents who live next to the facilities. The three-dimensional modeling and theoretical analysis simulate the noise and vibrations that would occur during railway operation, as well as the reduction with correctly dimensioned acoustic barriers, floating slabs and rail dampers, before they are installed. Upon completion of the IDOM design, mitigation measures will be operational by 2023.
IDOM has been working on vibroacoustic mitigation for years, and developed its own VARNA software, implemented in some of our metro, high-speed and conventional rail projects. This is a digital design and modeling tool, based on noise and vibration mitigation to contribute to the sustainability of infrastructures.
Siemens Mobility bets on mobility innovation in Spain
Siemens Mobility Spain plays a prominent role as a company at the forefront of mobility in Spain and actively contributes to the development of the industry in our country, helping to promote the railway as well as Mobility as a Service in order to achieve more efficient and sustainable transport. Each year it invests 33 million euros in R&D, with the aim of applying the latest technologies to its services. Siemens Mobility, in its commitment to innovation and digitization, has developed a new Control Center, R9Kloud, that will offer a model of digital signage microservices on demand and from the cloud, which will eliminate hardware and maintenance of facilities current railways.
Also, in collaboration with Siemens Mobility Germany and after a demanding approval process, the company has carried out the first release of the new vital DS3 platform. It is the first commercial hardware- and operating-system-based interlock ever put into service by the company. To boost the use of the railroad in times of pandemic, the company has developed AIRO, an Artificial Intelligence Engine designed to regulate the frequency of trains in real time and adjust them to passenger demand. In addition, it reduces waiting times at stations and prevents service disruption. In Barcelona, it has the Cornellá factory, where traction motors and converters for the railway sector have been produced and exported for more than 20 years.
SMART MOTOS-DAVANA: Digitizing transportation through a centralizing platform
The transportation industry is changing; vehicles, assets and even the most insignificant elements have the capacity to generate data. It is the processing of this data that is essential to create the ecosystem that will make it possible to generate new transportation models, automate processes and contribute to the efficient development of the cities of the future.
DAVANA is the answer to the inevitable need to channel all this information into a single place and put it at the service of operators, maintainers and, finally, the users. DAVANA integrates all the information of the transport network, from the vehicles to the infrastructure itself, becoming the information and process automation ecosystem that contributes to improving efficiency, increasing network availability, rationalizing resources, and increasing user information.
Teltronic. Broadband communications to revolutionize rail operations
The potential offered by driverless trains, IoT and smart maintenance will inevitably lead to increasingly sustainable and efficient transport, but it also means that railway systems require the transmission and management of ever greater volumes of data.
To meet these needs, broadband communication systems are required, and Teltronic is currently in the process of developing a portfolio of solutions that, in line with the FRMCS development guidelines, will meet the communication requirements of railway systems in terms of availability, reliability and quality of service.
Teltronic has already made real deployments of its 4G LTE technology, demonstrating the suitability of its communications infrastructure and on-board equipment to, for example, support CBTC signaling systems. Meanwhile, it continues to participate in various R&D projects in collaboration with entities such as the CDTI, or the University of Zaragoza, with whom it is working jointly for the characterization and optimization of 4G technology for the railway environment.
Thales is committed to sustainable and digital mobility as a driver of Spain’s economic recovery through European funding
Thales has proposed the automation of intermodal nodes for 24 ports around the whole of Spain and 2 European ones, a project that will bring greater logistical competitiveness and a carbon footprint reduction to all supply chains.
It is also committed to a disruptive technological leap forward through the fusion of railway security technologies and the space industry with the implementation of the satellite-based Level 3 ERTMS for regional lines where telephone signalling is still being operationally used, thus avoiding having to depend on the human factor and reducing investment in the network’s installed infrastructure.
From the point of view of efficiency in running the network, the implementation was proposed of systems for remote steering within 23 railway logistics and maintenance bases in Spain.
The GreenRail initiative has been put forward which, based on implementing Thales’s own technology, will optimize and assist railway driving on the conventional and commuter network around the whole of Spain.
voestalpine Railway Systems JEZ. Smart Turnouts
Digitisation is an essential building block for ensuring and increasing the availability and efficiency of railway infrastructure. The turnout as an interface between track and signalling technology has long been a focal element of data acquisition and monitoring. It is therefore predestined to be further developed into a smart device with the corresponding components. This not only increases availability, but also reduces life cycle costs (LCC) in the long term.
Our intelligent switch machine is a perfect add-on, to make our turnouts even smarter. The sensors required for this are mounted directly on the switch machine. In the event of irregularities, the data is immediately transmitted to the platform, for further display of the performance and a precise analysis system for management.
The use intelligent switch condition monitoring systems such as ROADMASTER® SCM enables detecting failures at an early stage and prioritizing maintenance based on the asset condition.
From voestalpine Railway Systems JEZ’s side, foresee that the smart turnout will drive forward the digitisation of the railway infrastructure. With our system ROADMASTER®, the combination of hardware for recording the condition of the turnout and its environment, with software and artificial intelligence will be an essential piece for this process.
Zeleros presents for the first time in history a hyperloop in the Spain Pavilion at the Universal Expo 2020 Dubai.
Zeleros, the Valencia-based Spanish company that develops the scalable hyperloop, exhibits its novel hyperloop capsule in the Spain Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, which will host millions of visitors. The Zeleros vehicle exhibited is 6 meters long and showcases the main technologies that make the Zeleros system drastically reduce infrastructure costs and simplify certification, shortening its path-to-market.
Spain thus once again becomes a pioneer in high speed mobility, leading the hyperloop race, the hybrid between a high-speed train and an airplane, which allows reaching speeds of up to 1000km / h at ground level using levitation and a low-pressure network of tubes. From October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 in Dubai.