Deadline: 14-Dec-22
The European Commission (EC) is calling for proposals for the Conceptual development of Automated Multi-Modal Mobility Systems.
Scope
The project stemming from this topic shall contribute to deliver the expected outcomes and the R&I work should cover:
- Work-stream 1:
- Technology assessment for passenger and freight transport for an automated multimodal mobility system in the form of a rail-based system of “moving infrastructure” vessel and carrier
- Hazard analysis of multimodal mobility systems incl. determination of relevant standards and legal needs and constraints for the autonomous operation of a railway with a “moving infrastructure” system, with recommendations
- Socio-Economical evaluation of such multimodal mobility system, incl. Use Case Studies
- Development of (a) business case/s including a CBA for the different stakeholders and for the different use cases
- Evaluation (economical and technical) feasibility of envisaged operational procedures
- Work-stream 2:
- Technical Concept for Pod, vehicle design including the Coupling System, Operation System (TRL2)
- Design variants of the vessel as e.g. commuter, business, education, freight, etc. (TRL2)
- Development of a sample vessel for one use case at least through validation in virtual environment (TRL3/4)
- Concept development for vessel equipment e.g. Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Automation (TRL2)
- Work-stream 3:
- Definition and development of a standardized coupling system, which is essential for safe loading and unloading of the “moving infrastructure” vessels from the “moving infrastructure” Carrier and for securing them on the different transport platforms (TRL3)
- Concept for the handling, loading/unloading technologies (TRL3)
- Development of a “moving infrastructure” carrier for rail with technical validation where achievable (TRL3/4)
Topics
The project stemming from this topic shall address all the following work streams and it is expected to provide:
- Work stream 1: Identification of Use Cases, Business Cases / CBA, operational concept
- This workstream is expected to deliver a clear analysis of the economic, technical, normative and legal parameters for the introduction of such a system. Based on this work business cases (with costs/benefit analysis per stakeholders) needs to be derived together with the definition of possible operating models, taking into account all possible transport options when changing the transport mode (e.g. cable cars, road vehicles).
- Work stream 2: “Moving infrastructure” vessel and the operation system
- This workstream is expected to deliver a concept study for the new system including design concept for vehicle, information and communication, related to Pods (e.g., availability, ETA, equipment, designation), as well as a design concept for coupling system and loading/unloading of “moving infrastructure” vessel (in collaboration with Work-stream 3)
- Work stream 3: “Moving infrastructure” carrier incl. locking system and handling system
- This workstream is expected to deliver at least an experimental proof of concept of a “moving infrastructure” carrier for rail, possibly technically validated. Additionally, it is expected to have conceptual developments of Coupling System for the connection of “moving infrastructure” Carrier and the “moving infrastructure” vessel incl. locking devices, loading/unloading technologies for handling the “moving infrastructure” vessels and Carrier.
Funding Information
The check will normally be done for the coordinator if the requested grant amount is equal to or greater than EUR 500 000, except for:
- public bodies (entities established as a public body under national law, including local, regional or national authorities) or international organisations; and
- cases where the individual requested grant amount is not more than EUR 60 000 (lowvalue grant).
Expected Outcomes
- To address the door-to-door travel and logistic needs of customers and enhance the seamless experience, a new type of sustainable collaborative transport system may emerge as a new mobility offer, diverging from the current combination of individual and mass transport services. This new transport solution is expected to contribute strengthening the railway transport position in the future mobility market, with the use of cutting-edge technology for automation, digitalisation and electrification.
- The challenge is to develop a rail based fully automated Multi-Modal Mobility-System for passengers and goods with a “Moving Infrastructure” system, which is economically feasible and sustainable. It is expected to be based on an Open Platform of common standards and standardised interfaces with current transport infrastructure solutions and it is expected making use of disruptive operation models, exploiting existing infrastructure.
- The assumption of this topic, is that each static infrastructure (for rail, road, etc.) has an equivalent “moving infrastructure” unique carrier. another element is the transport of people and goods from door to door without changing the “moving infrastructure” vessel (sometimes also referred as POD), through the use of a standardised vessel for the different needs of passengers and goods.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
- the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions;
- the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States;
- eligible non-EU countries:
- countries associated to Horizon Europe;
- low- and middle-income countries.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3REnB82