On October 4th, 2023, the Europe’s Rail (EU-Rail) and SESAR 3 Joint Undertakings launched a call for proposals, worth a 7 million euros investment, co-funded within the Horizon Europe programme. The main topic is the development of an “Integrated air and rail network backbone for a sustainable and energy-efficient multimodal transport system”.
Specifications for the proposals' submissions
Proposals must adhere to the concept of multimodality and ensure a seamless connection between rail and air transport, in order to ensure predictability and punctuality, help relieve congestion around airports and rail stations and, ultimately, improve passenger flows. If and where applicable, the call for proposals supports scenarios involving other transport modes like trams, metros, buses, among others.
The call's objectives align with the aspirations set forth in the European Union's Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, which strives to transform connected and automated multimodal mobility into a tangible reality by 2030.
The call's topics in depth
Projects worth 21,2 million euros will be funded under the already mentioned main topic (Destination 1), and under Destination 8 (Exploratory research and other activities) as well. The latter one includes solutions for noise and vibrations reduction, developing concepts or improvements for metro systems, conceptualizing a transport network crisis management process, proposing new assessment methods for the environmental efficiency of rail transport infrastructure and its impact on the ecosystem, and extending the rail research and innovation, with the expected realization of PhDs tied to the EU-Rail Programme topics.
“Closer integration of Europe’s air and rail networks will be a key element in building a mobility system for future generations that is truly sustainable, smart, and resilient. Innovation is key to achieving this objective,” said Adina-Ioana Vălean, European Commissioner for Transport. “I am delighted to see that Europe’s Rail and SESAR Joint Undertakings are working together, through this joint call, to ensure complementarity and synergies between their research programmes, and to invest in the technologies and collaborative tools that will help make seamless multi-modal travel a reality.”
The deadline for submissions is February 7th, 2024, at 5:00 PM CET. For further information, the
