Policy objective: PO 1 - A more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity

Specific objective: SO 1 - Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies

Typology: Standard project

The T4RAIL IT-SI project presented an innovative initiative to promote technological innovation and digitisation in the railway sector in the border area between Italy and Slovenia. Specifically, the project aimed at removing existing barriers to rail interoperability lowering the requirement of B1 level (CEFR) language skills for train drivers in cross-border rail operations. This requirement is an obstacle to modal shift towards rail and represents an additional cost for railway undertakings interested in cross-border services.

To this end, the project objective was to test the use of a translator for railway jargon called “Translate4Rail” on the Italian-Slovenian border. The purpose of the tool was to facilitate communication between train drivers and signallers by translating predefined messages (PDMs). In this sense, the project intended to contribute to better cross-border rail connections between Italy and Slovenia, increase employment opportunities and strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of local businesses.

T4RAIL IT-SI was implemented through close cooperation between the partners, structured into two complementary Work Packages (WP):

• WP1 focused on adapting the T4RAIL digitalisation system to the local context and the communication systems of the railway organisations involved, training of on-board and ground staff, conducting risk assessments, and testing the T4RAIL tool in order to evaluate all possible scenarios, supported by continuous monitoring and evaluation of the results.
   
• WP2 addressed the assessment of the impact of the digitalisation of railway procedures at the border on the Programme Area, considering different socio-economic and environmental perspectives, in particular: the competitiveness of local railway undertakings and potential modal shift; territorial accessibility and social impacts, including those on the labour market; and the reduction of road transport and its negative environmental effects in the Programme Area. 

Through the cooperation of all stakeholders involved in the project, T4RAIL IT-SI supported the European Union in achieving its goal of shifting as much traffic as possible from road to rail. The project thus contributed not only to improving communication in train management at borders, but also to enhancing accessibility for local residents, reducing the environmental impact of transport, and strengthening cross-border territorial cohesion.