This is how things work at Shift2Rail, says Henk Samson, Strukton’s Programme Manager at Shift2Rail.
Low-hanging fruit, quick wins, call it whatever you like. Shift2Rail makes them feasible. A good example is the first that we presented during the InnoTrans trade fair: position maintenance of the tracks, whereby we directly import data from rail inspection trains into the self-driving tamping machine. This way we avoid any interruption of service and contribute to track reliability and availability.
“Strukton Rail is involved in the development of a Railways in 2050 vision document – that puts us close to where the action is” Henk Samson
Off the shelf
Strukton Rail developed this innovation together with Deutsche Bahn, a German railway company. Strukton Rail also works on other innovations, for example with the German research institute DLR. These partnerships are part of the European Shift2Rail Innovation Programme. This is a public-private partnership between the European railway sector and the European Commission. The research activities of the European railway sector come together here. Due to available grants, good ideas that were often shelved a long time ago come to life. Combining technological innovations offers all kinds of benefits. For example, collective technical solutions can increase the track’s capacity and decrease the cost of tracks and track maintenance. Moreover, the rail transport itself becomes more reliable and punctual.
Away with the patchwork
The programme was initiated over two years ago and runs until 2022. It offers Strukton Rail numerous opportunities. It gives us the opportunity of increasingly presenting ourselves as a technology company to parties abroad. For example, we are involved in the development of a Railways in 2050 vision document – that puts us close to where the action is. Will we still be travelling by train then? And how? Our view and that of the other European partners is that we must work towards a single European railway area, instead of the country patchwork we have now. This requires technical changes, such as a uniform security system and power supply. It also requires the political will to offer railway routes across long distances and to remove country borders.
The value of research collaboration
Working alongside research organisations, such as DLR, adds a scientific dimension to innovation. Academic partners bring structured methodologies and analytical depth, particularly in areas such as data-driven maintenance and predictive modelling. Their ability to focus on long-term analysis complements the operational expertise of industry partners.
These collaborations not only improve the quality of innovation, but also contribute to knowledge development through joint research and scientific publications, strengthening the technological profile of the organisations involved.
“”The research institute DLR has more academic know-how than we do””
On our own feet
But there are even more benefits. For example setting priorities with the other partners. We monitor each other’s innovations and are asked for constructive feedback. This way it becomes immediately clear whether the rest of the world is waiting for innovations from us or other Shift2Rail partners. And in reverse: if an innovation is not useful, what is needed instead? Going through these development processes on your own is far more difficult. If an idea is taken off the shelf, dusted off and given life, such as our innovation with Deutsche Bahn, then it should be ‘mature’ enough to stand on its own two feet. In other words: we are going to introduce it to the railway market with Deutsche Bahn to interest other parties as well. We all benefit from this. In short, Strukton Rail means a great deal to Shift2Rail and the reverse is also true.