Rail

Urbanisation, population growth, new technologies and an increasing demand for sustainability are all factors contributing to a new era of mobility. The European Union has positioned rail as the backbone for transporting people and goods. The EU Space Programme and its components support rail operations and increase passenger safety. Not only does EGNSS provide precise positioning and localisation, when augmented by EGNOS and possibly fused with other sensors, it has the potential to replace the expensive physical balises used to monitor train speed and streamline rail operations. EGNSS’ potential becomes even greater when its positioning is complemented by Earth Observation data. For example, railway operators can use Earth Observation data to monitor and prevent vegetation encroachment, landsides, and other risks that could endanger the safe operation of trains.

Rail In Action

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The Cassini Challenge is looking for innovative, space-based solutions and ideas ready to help solve some of today’s most pressing issues.

The CASSINI Challenges competition is looking for innovative, space-based solutions ready to help solve some of today’s most pressing issues.

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2023 was an eventful year for EUSPA thanks to milestones such as the EU SST takeover or the implementation of Galileo HAS

It’s the last month of the year, which can only mean one thing: time for EUSPA’s annual recap.

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EU Space Week, happening now in Seville, is putting the spotlight on Europe’s dynamic – and rapidly growing – space sector

EU Space Week, happening now in Seville, is putting the spotlight on Europe’s dynamic – and rapidly growing – space sector, with over 3,000 participants both online and onsite.

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EU top rail stakeholders gather in Madrid to discuss how space can level up train operations and safety.

Data and services coming from the EU’s positioning systems Galileo/EGNOS and Copernicus have the potential to transform the rail industry and speed up ERTMS completion. In the future, rail operators could also be able to utilise satcom or high-speed internet provided by the new multiorbital constellation, IRIS2.

Fast Facts

150,000
More than 150,000 freight wagons in Europe are equipped with Galileo/EGNOS receivers.
51%
is the share of European companies among global system integrators in railway signaling.
2.8
million wagons of the nearly 220,000 trains in the world dedicated to freight form the addressable market for GNSS applications.