EU-Projects
Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail) is a new partnership for rail research and innovation under the Horizon Europe Programme (2020–2027), succeeding Shift2Rail programme. Its mission is to develop technologies that unify the European railway sector. As an Associated Member, Hacon supports the EU-Rail initiative with expertise in train planning, dispatching, operations, and intermodal mobility. Hacon is proud to participate in the following flagship projects: FP1 Motional, FP6 Future, FP5 Trans4M-R, and FA7 Pods4Rail.
The FP5-TRANS4M-R project aims to establish rail freight transport as the low-emission backbone of European logistics. It focuses on increasing capacity, cross-border collaboration, and new technologies such as digital coupling and automation. The goal is to improve transport times and throughput. The project automates operational processes and promotes the acceptance of new technologies. It includes the clusters “Full Digital Freight Train Operation” and “Seamless Freight Operation” to create an EU-wide framework. Hacon is working on seamless freight solutions, standardization, and real-time dispatching to increase efficiency.
Pods4Rail is an innovative research project launched in September 2023 by 15 partners from seven European countries. Funded by the EU, its goal is to develop a digitalized, decentralized mobility concept with multimodal interfaces by 2025, in order to create a seamless door-to-door rail-based transport chain. The system includes autonomously operating, electrically powered pods for both passengers and goods. These pods are intended to flexibly and efficiently complement existing transport networks, thereby improving the quality of life in both urban and rural areas.
The FP1-Motional project aims to develop a European Traffic Management System (TMS) that is interoperable and resilient, can adapt capacity, and includes all participating services. The project objectives focus on optimizing the use of the European rail network through better capacity planning, improved network management, the ability to respond to mobility demand, and the implementation of specific digitization solutions with common tools for all rail systems.
The FutuRe project aims to sustainably revitalize regional railway lines in Europe to better connect regions and support the main rail network. The goal is to make these environmentally friendly lines economically, socially, and ecologically viable by reducing overall costs and increasing service quality and reliability. Through digitalization, automation, and new technologies, solutions applicable across Europe will be developed to enhance customer satisfaction. These include multimodal travel options for first and last mile connections, demand-based capacity information, integration of traffic and passenger information systems, and the use of regional lines for freight transport.
More Research Projects
The goal of the project is to systematically guide passengers to avoid high occupancies during regular operations, in crisis situations, or during special peaks in traffic. To achieve this goal, real-time capacity utilization data is developed into reliable forecasts with the help of AI approaches. Subsequently it is transferred to the passenger information system of the Berlin-Brandenburg transport association, and made available to third parties. In order to be able to use the forecast data in as many ways as possible, it is to be made available regionally and nationally. A more even utilization of vehicles supports the traffic turnaround, as the expected increase in demand is more likely to be met with existing capacities.
The project "ZISTeM" seeks to increase both the acceptance of mobility alternatives and the potential for modal shift. "ZISTeM" is an abbreviation for "Zielbringende Integration, Steuerung und Management von Mikromobilitätsdienstleistungen". This translates to "Goal-oriented integration, control and management of micromobility services". A key component of the project is data provision and data coupling. The effectiveness of the planned measures will be tested in Regensburg by actively involving citizens there.
The DELTa project seeks to improve the interconnection of tariff information provided by different public transport providers. In a pilot project, the approach will initially be tested in three German lignite regions. Regional and national tariff information will be integrated into the information systems of the partners. A new method will make it possible to expand the connection information accordingly. The goals of the initiative include increased efficiency, digitization of data processing and complete, improved tariff information.
"OPENER next" is a research initiative that aims at implementing barrier-free travel information, including indoor navigation for German train stations. Gathering data on accessibility requires a lot of effort. "OPENER next" wants to involve citizens in this process by providing them with a data acquisition app. This way, previously unconsidered barriers can be mapped more quickly. To ensure that the barrier data is correct and up-to-date, additional tools for data maintenance and validation are being developed as well.
SCALE-UP is an EU-funded innovation project focusing on three European urban nodes (Madrid, Antwerp, Turku). The project investigates how these nodes can become more connected and more climate resilient. In doing so, it aims to enhance complex multimodal transport systems.