Mat4Rail Newsletter 01 | June 2018
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The project behind the trains of the future
What Mat4Rail is all about and who is involved
Global challenges such as climate change or rising traffic demands call for the railway sector to take on a larger share of the passenger and freight transport demand. At the same time, the European railway manufacturing industry finds its leadership being challenged by a rapidly changing sector and new market entrants, notably from Asia, offering attractive products at low prices.
In response to these challenges, the European Commission and the European rail industry jointly launched the Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking (S2R JU). It is a public private partnership in the rail sector, providing a platform for cooperation that pursues research and innovation activities in support of the achievement of the Single European Railway Area and the improvement of the attractiveness and competitiveness of the European rail system. The goal is to double the capacity of the European rail system, increase its reliability and service quality by 50% while halving life-cycle costs. In order to achieve these goals a multi-year strategic research agenda has been developed, mapping out in great detail all the innovations required in the diverse components of a rail system, from the tracks and the rolling stock all the way to the IT systems and operating procedures. While the majority of the Shift2Rail research projects are carried out exclusively by the S2R JU members, sometimes external expertise is sought through “Open Calls” for applications to solve specific research and development questions.
Mat4Rail is one of these projects funded through a Shift2Rail Open Call. It is concerned with the following three different components of trains:
1. the carbody, i.e. the main load bearing structures;
2. the train doors; and
3. the interior design.
What Mat4Rail is all about and who is involved
Global challenges such as climate change or rising traffic demands call for the railway sector to take on a larger share of the passenger and freight transport demand. At the same time, the European railway manufacturing industry finds its leadership being challenged by a rapidly changing sector and new market entrants, notably from Asia, offering attractive products at low prices.
In response to these challenges, the European Commission and the European rail industry jointly launched the Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking (S2R JU). It is a public private partnership in the rail sector, providing a platform for cooperation that pursues research and innovation activities in support of the achievement of the Single European Railway Area and the improvement of the attractiveness and competitiveness of the European rail system. The goal is to double the capacity of the European rail system, increase its reliability and service quality by 50% while halving life-cycle costs. In order to achieve these goals a multi-year strategic research agenda has been developed, mapping out in great detail all the innovations required in the diverse components of a rail system, from the tracks and the rolling stock all the way to the IT systems and operating procedures. While the majority of the Shift2Rail research projects are carried out exclusively by the S2R JU members, sometimes external expertise is sought through “Open Calls” for applications to solve specific research and development questions.
Mat4Rail is one of these projects funded through a Shift2Rail Open Call. It is concerned with the following three different components of trains:
1. the carbody, i.e. the main load bearing structures;
2. the train doors; and
3. the interior design.
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Objectives
The overall aim of the 2-year Mat4Rail project is to lay the foundation for:
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To reach these objectives, the Mat4Rail project is organised in two work streams:
Materials research
The newly developed materials have to meet all requirements of the railway environment regarding fire, smoke and toxicity, mechanical performance, and cost-effective manufacturing. Under the Mat4Rail project, new resin formulations are being developed and three different fibres are being tested to identify the most economically competitive composite material. Additionally, joining technologies are being developed and tested for primary, load carrying, multi-material structures for carbodyshells.
Mat4Rail also aims at achieving lighter train doors considering thermal insulation and acoustic attenuation by investigating novel concepts and novel materials.
Designing train interiors
In the project’s design work stream, Mat4Rail has three main objectives in terms of improving train interior design. Firstly, a “plug & play system” is being designed. The goal of this modular interior design concept is to easily adapt or change interior elements of a train with new or existing elements. Secondly, Mat4Rail is designing new innovative seats with the highest possible flexibility and ultra-light weight. Finally, Mat4Rail is redesigning the driver’s desk. The cockpit concept will be ergonomically optimised und built up from small components.
Benefits
The Mat4Rail project results benefit various stakeholder groups such as the rail supply industry, rail operators, passengers, and the European economy as a whole. It enables the introduction of new composites in the market available for the rail supply industry, to reduce the weight of carbodyshell sections by up to 30% by developing lightweight FPRs, and optimise access door systems in terms of architecture and materials. Furthermore, new functions are being integrated in the carbodyshell and space for interior is being increased, as well as new joint concepts being developed. Moreover, the innovation for seats and the driver’s stand will improve capacity, performance and comfort, and over the long run, Mat4Rail will create commercial opportunities for the rail supply industry.
The Mat4Rail consortium
The multidisciplinary and innovative developments in Mat4Rail are only possible with the experience and support of an international consortium of 16 partners led by CIDETEC, a Spanish research institute. The consortium includes public and private research organisations as well as small and medium-sized enterprises and large industries. All of them are simultaneously working on developing lightweight and smart rolling stock for a more sustainable future. More information on the Mat4Rail partners can be found under Network.
Materials research
The newly developed materials have to meet all requirements of the railway environment regarding fire, smoke and toxicity, mechanical performance, and cost-effective manufacturing. Under the Mat4Rail project, new resin formulations are being developed and three different fibres are being tested to identify the most economically competitive composite material. Additionally, joining technologies are being developed and tested for primary, load carrying, multi-material structures for carbodyshells.
Mat4Rail also aims at achieving lighter train doors considering thermal insulation and acoustic attenuation by investigating novel concepts and novel materials.
Designing train interiors
In the project’s design work stream, Mat4Rail has three main objectives in terms of improving train interior design. Firstly, a “plug & play system” is being designed. The goal of this modular interior design concept is to easily adapt or change interior elements of a train with new or existing elements. Secondly, Mat4Rail is designing new innovative seats with the highest possible flexibility and ultra-light weight. Finally, Mat4Rail is redesigning the driver’s desk. The cockpit concept will be ergonomically optimised und built up from small components.
Benefits
The Mat4Rail project results benefit various stakeholder groups such as the rail supply industry, rail operators, passengers, and the European economy as a whole. It enables the introduction of new composites in the market available for the rail supply industry, to reduce the weight of carbodyshell sections by up to 30% by developing lightweight FPRs, and optimise access door systems in terms of architecture and materials. Furthermore, new functions are being integrated in the carbodyshell and space for interior is being increased, as well as new joint concepts being developed. Moreover, the innovation for seats and the driver’s stand will improve capacity, performance and comfort, and over the long run, Mat4Rail will create commercial opportunities for the rail supply industry.
The Mat4Rail consortium
The multidisciplinary and innovative developments in Mat4Rail are only possible with the experience and support of an international consortium of 16 partners led by CIDETEC, a Spanish research institute. The consortium includes public and private research organisations as well as small and medium-sized enterprises and large industries. All of them are simultaneously working on developing lightweight and smart rolling stock for a more sustainable future. More information on the Mat4Rail partners can be found under Network.
Read further articles
Mat4Rail at the Baltic sea Preliminary results of Mat4Rail resin development were presented in the Epoxy and Resins Conference held on a cruise boat |
The Mat4Rail's interior design team meets complementary PIVOT project in Paris Both Shift2Rail design teams agreed on specifications |
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