Czech Republic at the Centre of European Rail Innovation: AŽD Hosts the Finale of the Key European R2DATO Project

AŽD has long been involved in the development of modern railway technologies with the potential to transform rail transport across Europe. Its experts participate in numerous international research and innovation projects, working alongside infrastructure managers, operators, manufacturers, and research organisations to develop solutions for a safer, more efficient, and increasingly automated railway system of the future.
 
One of the most important initiatives in recent years is the European R2DATO project, carried out under the umbrella of the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking. More than 50 organisations from across Europe collaborated on the project, whose primary objective was to advance railway automation and lay the foundations for the wider deployment of autonomous trains throughout the European rail network.
 
After three and a half years of development, the project culminated in early June with its final conference in Prague. AŽD played a major role in organising the event. The first day featured technical meetings and workshops held at Gröbe Villa, where project achievements were presented and future steps in railway digitalisation and automation were discussed. More than 100 experts attended in person, while dozens of additional participants joined online.
 
On the second day, attention shifted to the AŽD Kopidlnka railway line, where the developed technologies were demonstrated in a real operational environment. Visitors witnessed a live autonomous train demonstration jointly delivered by AŽD, ALSTOM, and WABTEC. Interest in the event significantly exceeded organisers’ expectations and available capacity, with approximately 80 experts from European railway organisations attending the demonstration.
 
The main objective of the demonstration was to show that technologies developed by different suppliers can work together seamlessly thanks to common European standards. Such interoperability is one of the key prerequisites for the effective future deployment of railway automation across Europe.
 
“Throughout the event, I had the opportunity to speak with many representatives of European railway organisations, and their feedback was overwhelmingly positive.  It confirmed that the results AŽD has contributed to in recent years have genuine European relevance. I am proud of the work of our experts and of the fact that AŽD has established itself as a respected partner among the key players in European railway research and innovation,” said Vladimír Kampík, Director for European Affairs at AŽD.
 
The successful demonstration confirmed that AŽD is not only a supplier of advanced railway technologies but also an active contributor to the development of European standards and solutions for the future of autonomous rail transport. The results of the R2DATO project show that automated train operations are no longer a distant vision but a technology steadily becoming a reality. AŽD remains committed to contributing to a safer, more efficient, and more attractive railway system for both passengers and operators across Europe.