Rail transport research and innovation in Europe: an assessment based on recent European Union projects

Adequate research and innovation is paramount for the seamless development, testing, adoption and integration of new rail concepts and technologies. This study adopts a structured methodology to provide a comprehensive analysis of initiatives in Europe in this field. First, it provides a policy overview in Europe in the past years. After that, it provides quantitative analyses from European Union funded research. Finally, it critically addresses research by six thematic areas: efficient stock design and manufacturing, emissions and noise reduction, track and stock maintenance, efficient rail operations, infrastructure management, information and communications technologies solutions. In doing so, it highlights current developments and identifies future needs. These results can help funding organisations, policy makers and researchers to make better-informed choices to push the field forward.