The adoption of the EU Space Programme in the rail sector has been increasing steadily over the past years.
The EU´s satellite-based localisation powered by Galileo and EGNOS are already adopted in rail for asset management, wagon telematics and signalling applications. Copernicus is likewise used in rail-related applications, helping with predictive maintenance by providing valuable data on railway infrastructure and its surroundings. Further steps to facilitate GNSS and Copernicus adoption in more complex applications are being addressed through the long-term cooperation between EUSPA, EU-Rail and ERA.
The rail sector under the research and innovation framework of EU-Rail JU are enhancing the control and command system capabilities and at the same time ensuring an harmonised approach to its future operations, leading to sustainable and interoperable solution for Europe. EU-Rail, EUSPA, ESA and ERA successfully cooperated developing an innovative and synergetic programme for the use of satellite to safely position trains in Europe: EGNOS4Rail. In the meantime, EU-Rail is also validating the next generation of telecommunication component of ERTMS through technological evolution, establishing the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) in collaboration with UIC and ERA and the supervision of the European Commission. (....)