Rail freight automation in Shift2Rail – Development of prototypes

The Shift2Rail pillar “Technologies for attractive and sustainable European Freight” (IP5) has a clear target
vision, which can be summarized in two words: Digitization & Automation. The IP5 members want to speed up
the digital transformation and automation of rail freight to ultimately gain market share in the competitive race
with other modes of transport. In order to advance automation, multiple projects have been launched under
funding. Two key technology demonstrators are presented in this paper:
1. Semi-Automated Operation with Distributed Power Systems (DPS) for efficient Master-Slave
Operation, e.g. push-pull operation or in long and heavy trains up to 1,500 m
2. Automatic Train Operation (ATO) with Obstacle Detection (OD) on network sections with European
Train Control System (ETCS) from Level 2 upwards