The MaDe4Rail project aims to explore non-traditional and emerging maglev-derived systems (MDS) and to evaluate the technical feasibility and effectiveness to introduce MDS in Europe under safety aspects and technical-economic performance. Identification and benchmarking of the different maglev-derived technologies for transportation systems and their state of development, definition of a common architecture and specification of the subsystems and technologies needed for its commercialization are expected in the MaDe4Rail Project. Moreover, a risk analysis and identification of needs for standardization on safety and security in operations of MDS will be performed. Also, the assessment of the technical and economic feasibility to introduce these systems into the common European mobility network will be implemented as well as the development of a European roadmap for the possible future implementation of MDS. Lastly, the design of the concept for an MDS vehicle subsystem and a prototype of a sample vehicle for a European use case are foreseen in this project. The MaDe4Rail project is expected to have significant impacts such as contributing to the development of MDS, promoting more sustainable passenger and freight transport and initiating a path towards the reinforcement of railway as the backbone of a multimodal, sustainable and efficient mobility network by possibly, upgrading the existing railway lines/facilities through the adoption of a maglev-derived technology. Moreover, the project fosters information exchange and growth and diffusion of knowledge. MaDe4Rail brings together a multidisciplinary group of experts from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of competences and expertise that would contribute to the success of the project such as Infrastructure Managers, Transport Authorities, Engineering and Consultancy Companies, Technological Developers and Research Centers and Universities.

The high-level objective of TAURO is to identify, analyse and finally propose suitable founding technologies for the future European automated and autonomous rail transport, to be further developed, certified and deployed through the activities planned for the European Partnership for Transforming Europe’s Rail System. To achieve this, TAURO is divided into four technical WPs, following the scope of the call, that each deal with separate system elements, with each contributing to the overall goal of the project. These four areas of work are; • Environment perception for automation • Remote driving and command • Automatic status monitoring and diagnostic for autonomous trains • Technologies supporting migration to ATO over ETCS These technical WPs will be supported by a comprehensive dissemination and exploitation WP that will guarantee the results from TAURO are communicated to the necessary stakeholders, standards and regulatory bodies to ensure that the future policy and technical decisions are taken on the basis of the science and research performed in TAURO, and more important, who guarantee the coherence with other Shift2Rail ongoing activities and assure a seamless bridging between TAURO and the next initiative within Horizon Europe, Transforming Europe’s Rail System.