GSS EU Science Funding Gateway

Workstream 1: Fleet retrofitting readiness

The project should collect and analyse the status of wagons and locomotives in operations in Europe. The processed information should consider the number of wagons and locomotives, the usage, the technical state and its retrofitting ability (fleet retrofitting readiness). The project shall deliver a sound assessment on the retrofitting readiness of wagons and locomotives which will serve as the basis for the strategic sector alignment, in the context of the EDDP, on the future DAC deployment plans. The project shall cover for its assessment the following elements (non-exhaustive list):

• Locomotives difference between shunting and mainline ones and the possibility to have hybrid coupling or DAC only;
• Wagons based on the type of traffic (Core Wagonload System (CWS), intermodal,…);
• TSI compliance and safety level achieved (e.g. inner-coupling for rakes).

Workstream 2: DAC Retrofitting capacity plan

The project should identify the required workshop capacity and locations (in Europe), workforce skills for retrofitting of locomotives, freight wagons and other on track machines, as well as the planned/required retrofitting rolling stock quantities. The outputs of the workstream 1 are an important element to take into account in the analysis.

It should also propose a DAC retrofitting plan considering the optimisation of workshop locations and the major sidings/terminals in Europe (e.g. through predominant traffic type) use, and related vehicle fleets. A gap analysis should be performed and required countermeasures analysed, with the aim to propose alternative technical and operational solutions.

The project should develop a comprehensive retrofitting capacity plan, including concrete operational and technical recommendations (including timing) per traffic type (Block Train, Single Wagon Load,…) and concerned fleet. The plan should include (non-exhaustive list):

• an allocation of vehicles per retrofitting workshops;
• an identification of the rolling stock, timing and retrofitting process per type/vehicle;
• an estimate of the foreseen DAC components quantity required per retrofitting location.

Additionally, the project should propose further recommendation based on the analysis on how mobile workshops could cover (in part) the retrofit needs and their impact on:

• Retrofitting plan on infrastructure (e.g. buffer stop retrofitting plan, changes needed to shunting yards/sidings and planning).
• Requirements for the wagons for operations at shunting yards (e.g. uncoupling button or lever at the side).