EUREKA PROJECT > 4062 ERWIN
- SUMMARY
- OUTLINE
- PARTICIPANTS
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CZECH REPUBLIC
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CZECH REPUBLIC
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SLOVAK REPUBLIC
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European railway infrastructure network
INTEGRATION OF NATIONAL RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE DATABASES WITH TRACK PARAMETERS FROM NETWORK STATEMENTS, DEVELOPING TOOLS FOR DATA AND GRAPHIC PROCESSING OF THE EUROPEAN RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE WITH FUNCTIONS OVER THE JOINT RAIL NETWORK GRAPH
Status > ANNOUNCED - 13-Jun-2007 Technological Area Market Area Start Date > 01-Mar-2008 Duration > 46 Months Participating countries > CZECH REPUBLIC, SLOVAK REPUBLIC | Main contactJERID Dipl. Ing. PETR KROCA > Project Manager Organisation type > SME |
Project Description
The volume of freight transport in Europe is expected to continue to rise in the future. This situation is compounded by the fact that the rail sector has been progressively losing its share in European freight markets over the last several decades. Prompt action is necessary in order to successfully mitigate the negative effects of these developments. The main problems associated with the steadily increasing volume of freight transport include the following: - Traffic congestion on roads; - Insufficient quality of logistic services; - Discontinuity of logistic chain performance; - Insufficient intermodal and intra-modal interoperability; - Negative effects on safety and the environment. One of the problems the railway transport is faced with is the interoperability of the railway infrastructure together with information on rail tracks and corridor parameters not being widely available. Infrastructure data and railway track/station information, together with a high-quality railway infrastructure map, is a very important and strategic issue from the point of view of railway transport users (carriers, consigners, consignees, railway forwarders, etc.). On the basis of Directive 2001/14/EC, Infrastructure Managers (IM) in every EU country are obliged to publish a Network Statement. The problem is that there is no integrated 'Network Statement' for all of Europe. This means separate databases and separate railway infrastructure maps for every country. Europe-wide information on railway infrastructure is very important also for infrastructure managers and railway undertakings by themselves. On this account, the joint European railway infrastructure database and tools for searching, optimisation and simulation over the joint network graph have to be developed. At the same time, the accurate location of railway infrastructure across Europe on the railway map will enable the projection of appropriate and possible railway routes according to chosen parameters. The objective of the development will be covering all railway tracks of Europe (40 countries) in the form of vectors between two stations (space between stations, junctions, turnouts, etc.). Every track will be represented on the map by a simple vector with a user-definition possibility of display according to selected parameters (type, colour, size); station track, signal devices and switches will be not included in the map. All railway tracks will form a network diagram of the European railway infrastructure net. Therefore, the display of the railway lines will not cut on the border of every country (railway). Displays of more countries as well as the whole of Europe will be possible according to the filter. This filter will be set by users by choosing specific values for infrastructure parameters. To achieve the project goal, following parts must be developed: - Unification and integration of national railway infrastructure databases with parameters of railways, corridors and rail lines; - Definition of possibilities of network representation with utilisation of map display and map tools; - Development of simulation, search and optimisation tools and tasks over the network in the form of algorithms, charts, diagrams, libraries, maps and web services; - Searching for methods and finding solutions on how to process gathered data on real positions of objects on the railway network and how to allocate each position to the particular railway track; - Another survey will be dedicated to the distances, vehicle runs and prices, in accordance with new functions for monitoring of vehicle run and train path creation from the cost point of view. Keywords: railway, infrastructure, Europe.
Technological Development Envisaged
The ERWIN project consists of three working packages: data gathering, processing of the graph (map) and development of functions over the network graph. (1) The first project goal is to integrate the national railway infrastructure information, data and databases with railway track parameters taken from national Network Statements. All data will be taken or imported, gathered and processed into the central European railway infrastructure database. The following information will be classified for each railway track and will belong among the database items: - Distance in km; - Title of both end-points; - Infrastructure Manager name; - Railway transport operator name; - Track number; - Relevant corridor numbers; - Power supply; - Track priority; - Track typology; - Track loading gauge; - Weight limit; - Line gradient; - Line speed; - Maximum train length; - Eventually further. (2) The second project goal is to develop the integrated European railway network graph. This means acquiring accurate geographic positions of all railway tracks and displaying these in the railway map, together with other general geographic layers like borders, settlements, relief, roads waters, forests, parks, industrial zones, etc. The map will enable all standard tools for zooming, movement, searching, etc. and will be focused on visualisation of transport routes. Railway paths will be displayed according to the user's wish. The display of positions of objects on the railway network (trains, wagons, locomotives) based on geographic coordinates (GPS(Global Positioning System)/Galileo) will also be possible in relation to specific rail tracks. (3) The third project goal is to develop functions and tools over the European railway infrastructure network graph: - All features and advantages of the network graph based on 'finding the shortest path in the network graph'; - Searching for possible railway paths according to freight/wagon parameters; - Simulation of improvements to the European railway infrastructure; - Optimisation of transport corridors and transport flows; - Optimisation of rail and intermodal logistic chain performance; - Improvement of the quality of logistic services; - Contribution to improvements to intermodal and intra-modal interoperability; - Decreasing negative effects on safety and the environment; - Finding bottlenecks of the European railway infrastructure in international transport; - Assistance to new players in the liberalised transport market to gain access to new market opportunities.
Main contactJERID Dipl. Ing. PETR KROCA > Project Manager Organisation type > SME |
Contribution to project
As the Main Partner in ERWIN, JERID will assume the central coordinating role of the project as well as the responsibility for liaising with the EUREKA Network on formal matters. Furthermore, JERID will facilitate communication between all partners, establish and maintain contact with other actors and initiatives at the European level, and organise meetings and events. The primary task of the main researcher will be not only to oversee the completion of all parts of the project, but also to undertake specific tasks in each project part: - Unification and integration of national railway infrastructure databases with parameters of railways, corridors and rail lines: JERID will gather data from project partners and from different sources and maintain the central database of European Railway Infrastructure; - Definition of possibilities of network representation with utilisation of map display and map tools: JERID will process, design and provide the RailMap application; - Development of simulation, search and optimisation tools and tasks over the network in the form of algorithms, charts, diagrams, libraries, maps and web services: JERID will organise activities of project partners and will be responsible for the development in this project part; - JERID will also develop solutions on how to process gathered data on real positions of objects on the railway network and how to allocate each position to the particular railway track.
Expertise
Processing and provision of information in rail freight transport in electronic form. Main areas of activities: - Up-to-date information for railway transporters, carriers and forwarders; - European tariffs, distance tables, lists of goods, stations, printing of transport documents, regulations and tariffs in their original form, etc.; - GIS (Geographical Information System) in the railway area; - Updating of all information; - Information systems for support of business activities in the transport area; - Tariff consultations; - Organisation of transport seminars and conferences. Professionals with long-standing know-how in the field of information technology and railway freight transport. Over 14 years of experience in providing quality services. A stable market of more than 700 users in 23 European countries. Established contacts for information sources and cooperation with railway companies and data owners throughout Europe. Experiences in international R & D, ECONTENT+, 7FP and EUREKA project design and management, e.g.: - E! 3161 E-RAILMAP Electronic Rail Map of Europe - E! 3579 LOGCHAIN NARVIK European Rail Cargo Portal - E! 3861 LOGCHAIN+ JEWEL Improvement of Communication Equipment for Railway Wagon Monitoring and Data Collection.
Main contactJan Perner Transport Faculty
University of Pardubice Assoc. Prof. Tatiana Molkova > Vice-Dean Organisation type > University |
Contribution to project
The University will contribute to the project in the area of: - Transport infrastructure data collection, analysis and classification; - Proposal of the model and unified classification procedure of these data; - Optimisation tools for route searching depending on chosen parameters. The UNIVERSITY OF PARDUBICE will also contribute with its expertise in the branch of rail freight transport and with involvement in particular tasks carried out by students in the form of seminar works and practices in the scope of class work, etc. The work of university students under expert pedagogic guidance will also contribute. Research and development and graduate work results in the Faculty will also be used in the project.
Expertise
The Jan Perner Transport Faculty (JPTF) of the UNIVERSITY OF PARDUBICE in the CZECH REPUBLIC was founded in 1993. The multidisciplinary character of the Faculty reflects the complexity of problems occurring in transport and communications. The Faculty has accreditation for studies in all three - Bachelor (BSc), Master (MSc) and Doctoral (PhD) degree - courses. The profile of the Faculty is based on scientific and research projects in technical, technological, material, economic and social sciences oriented towards the development of transport, communications, information systems and logistics. The educational activities of the Faculty are focused on the essential theoretical background and its application in technology and optimisation of transport systems management, operation at all management levels, maintenance and reconstruction of transport means and infrastructure, and in transport management, marketing, logistics and informatics. The graduates have a good command of integrated and individual systems and domestic and inter-national transportation. This knowledge enables them to manage transport and forwarding companies, to conduct acquisition transport and business activities, to design and control technological and technical processes in transport, and to effectively operate, maintain and renew transport means, including the infrastructure. The Faculty's close cooperation with institutions and companies operating in transportation and infrastructure is reflected in its research activities and study programmes - Transport Technology and Communication; Transport Engineering and Communication - within 6 main branches (Transport Management, Marketing and Logistic, Technology and Operation of Transport, Transport Means, Transport Infrastructure, Operational Reliability in Transport Means and Infrastructure, Informatics in Transport). The Faculty has large research facilities - testing laboratories. The testing laboratory was established in 2004 to associate various specialised workplaces of the Jan Perner Transport Faculty where the following tests could be performed: bridge load tests, determination of soil's physical properties, noise and vibration measurement, determination of driving properties of rail vehicles, strain-gauge measurement on steel constructions, equivalent taper determination, and measurements for evaluation of dynamic properties of road vehicles. The profile of the Faculty is based on scientific and research projects in technical, technological, economic and social sciences oriented toward the development of transport, communication and information systems, e.g.: - Optimisation of Networks and Network Processes (Grant Agency of the Czech Republic, in progress from 2005 to 2006); - Interaction between Rail and Wheel (Institutional research, 2002 - 2004); - Proposition of Exclusion Activities on Constructions on II Transit Corridor in 2004 (Czech Railways, 2004); - Acceptance Criteria and Assessment Methodologies for Safety Certificates Delivered in Accordance with Directive 2001/14/EC (2004); - Optimisation of Public Traffic Service II (Grant Agency of the Czech Republic, completed from 2000 to 2002); - Intelligent Systems of Vehicle Location on GPS Principle for Security and Effectiveness Increase of Land Transport Control (Completed from 1998 to 2000); - Simulation calculations of running dynamics of railway vehicles on real rail, computational modelling of running for vehicles with tilting body casing, optimisation of springing, and simulation of drive torsional system dynamics of driving vehicle drive; - Measurement, calculation and evaluation of the contact geometry in the system of wheel-set versus rail, in the frame of UIC 519; - Research and evaluation of running safety and safety against derailment; - Development of hard surfacing technologies for increasing durability in rail sections with high or impact loading; - Evaluation of degradation mechanisms in the railway wheel - rail contact (white etching layers, rolling contact fatigue). The Faculty plays an important role in the scientific field - provides the background for combining theoretical knowledge with experience from practice. The Faculty employees are highly experienced and contribute to the students' education in the transport area. The Faculty participates in the EU 6th Framework programme (EURNEX, 2TRAIN); numerous international projects have been carried out within EU programmes, such as SOCRATES and LEONARDO DA VINCI. The Faculty also cooperates with the MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC, CZECH RAILWAYS INC., relevant road haulers and intermodal operators, Regional Authorities, universities and research centres in the CZECH REPUBLIC and abroad.
Main contactUniversity of Zilina / Faculty of operation and economics of transport and communications
University of Zilina Prof. Ing. PhD Tatiana Corejova > Dean Organisation type > University |
Contribution to project
The main task of the UNIVERSITY OF ZILINA is in the area of unification and integration of national railway infrastructure data bases with parameters of railways, corridors and rail lines. It will focus on the following activities: - Detailed, integrated as well as country-oriented Internet research on rail infrastructure data in Europe; - Evaluation, classification and catalogue categorisation of acquired information; - Continuous web-content monitoring focused on railway infrastructure during the entire project period; - Gathering of national Network Statement information; - Gathering of national information on accurate geographic positions of the European railway network; - Verification of infrastructure data provided within the project results.
Expertise
The University holds a prominent position in the area of railway transport in SLOVAKIA and throughout European through its training of highly-educated people in the rail branch. The academic background of the University is an important place for combining theoretical knowledge, experience from practice, academic employees, people from the business, the latest knowledge of science and research and knowledge from practices in the railway industry. The University supports the growth of railway transport, and follows the latest applications of information technologies as well as the development of legislation in rail freight transport in Europe. The UNIVERSITY OF ZILINA is a modern university providing a full range of technological, economic, management and a limited range of humanistic and natural science education at under-graduate, graduate and post-graduate levels. During its existence, the University has become a reputable institution within the university education system of the SLOVAK REPUBLIC. The University and its faculties are engaged in both domestic activities and broad cooperation with academic and entrepreneurial subjects abroad. The UNIVERSITY OF ZILINA is a member of numerous international educational organisations such as AUDEM - Alliance of Universities for Democracy 1993, EIPOS-Europaeisches Institut fuer Postgraduale Bildung at the University of Technology Dresden 1994, SEFI-European Society for Engineering Education 1994, EAIE-European Association for International Education 1996, IGIP-Internationale Gesellschaft fuer Ingenieurpaedagogik 1997, FSOK-Franco-Slovak Chambre de Commerce 1999 and EUA-European University Association 2000. Numerous international projects have been carried out successfully within the framework of various EU programmes, such as TEMPUS, LEONARDO and SOCRATES, CEEPUS, COPERNICUS, 5th FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME, etc. There is a broad cooperation based on bilateral agreements. The University has active collaboration with universities and/or institutions in AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, CHINA, CZECH REPUBLIC, FRANCE, GERMANY, GREECE, ITALY, JAPAN, NETHERLANDS, RUSSIA, SWITZERLAND, SPAIN, UK, USA, and many other countries. The University research capacity lies mainly in participation in international co-operation projects within the EU 5th Framework Programme, COST, COPERNICUS projects, and projects of bilateral cooperation. The projects of the EU 5th Framework Programme, the Centre of Excellence CeTra and INTRANSNET are the most important from the point of view of covered fields of research, the position among Slovak research institutions and the gained means and volume. In the area of student and teacher mobility within the framework of SOCRATES/ERASMUS programmes, the UNIVERSITY OF ZILINA signed an agreement in 1998, thus being among only a few Slovakian universities in favour of the programmes from its early beginnings. A permanent part of the Rectorate activity is the preparation of contractual bases for numerous foreign contacts. In the last two years all the previously signed agreements on cooperation were re-signed. The programmes initiated by the EUROPEAN UNION, such as TEMPUS and SOCRATES have to a large extent contributed to development of the University's foreign contacts. University teachers, students and administrative staff had an opportunity to gain knowledge in their fields at different institutes and thus compare modern trends, especially on the European scale.