Overview

In line with pan-European policy to cut carbon emissions from road vehicles the European rail network is targeting a considerable expansion with an increase of 43% in commercial passenger and 70% in freight by 2020. Achieving these targets requires increased reliability and availability of vehicles and track whilst maintaining the same level of safety. WiRailCom aims to address technical challenges that will advance condition monitoring technology for railway assets. This technical work will support the achievement of targets set in European transport policy.

Project Concept

The objectives achieved in WiRailCom will overcome one of the main limiting factors for the railway monitoring of assets which is the costly and technically prohibitive installation of cables to carry power and data signals from vehicle to vehicle and to the wider railway infrastructure. In particular, the target developments will not only provide direct return on investment within the project, but also support the development of standards for other assets which will bring further value for follow on applications.