In the evolution of urban transport, NEXUS - Next-gen technologies for enhanced metro operations seeks to establish an innovation benchmark, addressing crucial challenges and guiding European metros toward transformative futures. The collaborative effort unfolds through three interconnected workstreams, each contributing to overall progress.
- WS1's core is the mission to redefine metro adaptability to demand fluctuations. Meticulous analysis and feasibility studies elevate adaptability, showcased through simulation tools. The focus remains on user-centred optimization aligned with evolving passenger needs.
- WS2 focuses on train control systems of tomorrow. A comprehensive feasibility study paves the way for fully automated systems. Sustainability, safety, and seamless integration characterize the exploration, addressing challenges in infrastructure and system complexities.
- WS3 delves into the innovative realms of AI and data science in metro transport. In collaboration with WS1 and WS2, this workstream explores promising AI applications. Rigorous evaluation ensures these digital innovations resonate practically in metro system implementations.
Together, these workstreams harmonize in a holistic approach, envisioning a future where technology enhances operations responsibly and sustainably. NEXUS accentuates societal needs, weaving a narrative where metros become living, adaptable entities.
Stakeholder involvement, including metro operators and passenger representatives, deepens the project's impact. Their participation resonates the results of NEXUS not only locally but also on the international level. Through optimization, analysis, energy and service efficiency, NEXUS aspires to pioneer innovative solutions for the urban and metro transport of the future, where the journey is as significant as the destination .
Tasks performed by TIS
TIS has a significant role in the NEXUS project, with responsibilities spread across several work packages (WPs) and tasks. Our main contributions include:
TIS leads WP8 (“Techno-economic, financial and sustainability analysis”), where it coordinates activities such as:
- Task 8.2: Cost-benefit Analysis (CBA) – Conducts CBA to assess the potential of simulation tools and functional requirements developed earlier in the project, considering economic, financial, operational, and technological aspects. It also includes a detailed sustainability analysis focused on environmental and social impacts.
- Task 8.3: Accelerating the prototypes readiness levels – Establishes conditions to accelerate the implementation of applicable solutions, supporting metro operators in preparing business cases and applications for EU funding programs like CEF, ERDF, Cohesion Fund, and others. TIS acts as a help desk for demo partners.
Moreover, in WP1 and WP2, TIS leads tasks related to legal, ethics, and privacy management, helping to establish a robust framework for data handling and ensuring compliance with EU standards. In WP5, TIS supports the WP manager by identifying and defining Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), ensuring that baseline and reference scenarios are properly established for later analysis.
Finally, TIS is the exploitation leader of the project, responsible for guiding the exploitation strategy and ensuring the results have a pathway to market and practical use. This includes coordinating Task 10.5: Exploitation plan execution and report.
NEXUS accelerates next generation metro operations by combining demand responsive service optimisation, future train control feasibility and AI driven maintenance and energy tools. It brings operators and industry together to deliver practical, scalable solutions, while TIS adds value by leading the techno economic and sustainability work, developing lifecycle cost and CO₂ models that turn innovations into investment ready business cases. This positions TIS at the forefront of safer, more efficient and resilient metro systems across Europe.
Partners - 1. STAM SRL (Italy) – Coordinator; 2. TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET WIEN (Austria); 3. ASTON UNIVERSITY (United Kingdom); 4. UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI GENOVA (Italy); 5. HIGHER SCHOOL OF TRANSPORT - TODOR KABLESHKOV (Bulgaria); 6. SIEMENS MOBILITY AUSTRIA GMBH (Austria); 7. TIS PT, CONSULTORES EM TRANSPORTES, INOVACAO E SIS (Portugal); 8. VIRTUAL VEHICLE RESEARCH GMBH (Austria); 9. PERFORMANCE TECHNOLOGIES ANONYMOS ETAIRIA PLIR (Greece); 10. EUROPEAN ROAD TRANSPORT TELEMATICS IMPLEMENTA (Belgium); 11. AZIENDA MOBILITA E TRASPORTI SPA (Italy); 12. METROPOLITEN JSC (Bulgaria)
