On Tuesday 20 February, three projects supported by INEA (Innovation and Networks Executive Agency) in the framework of Horizon 2020 organised their first clustering meeting. The SAFER-LC, SAFE-10-T and SAFE STRIP projects convened at the ERTICO-ITS Europe premises in Brussels to discuss complementary activities and project results, and look into common dissemination and exploitation possibilities.
The meeting was attended by the INEA project officer Sergio Escriba and DG MOVE’s Maria Christina Marolda, replacing Paola Chiarini. After the introduction delivered by Maria Christina Marolda on the focus and expectations of the call topic and how this has changed over the years, Marie-Hélène Bonneau from UIC (SAFER-LC), Julie Clarke from GDGEO (SAFE-10-T) and Maria Gemou from CERTH/HIT (SAFE STRIP) provided a detailed insight into their respective projects. Some important synergies were identified between SAFE STRIP and the SAFER-LC and SAFE-10-T projects. SAFER-LC, which conducts research on how train level crossings can be made safer, and will, among other tasks, inform road drivers on approaching trains.
This information can be used as an additional input to the SAFE STRIP Use Case related to the unprotected railway crossings. Specifically, the smart detection system of SAFER-LC will provide feedback to the Road Side Bridge of the SAFE STRIP system. CERTH is developing the respective parts in both projects which will allow for an easier cooperation. The specific Use Case can be tested in Thessaloniki. In addition the data produced by the SAFE STRIP pavement condition monitoring Use Case provides useful input to the Safety Framework developed by SAFE-10-T. Although SAFE-10-T is concerned with broader infrastructure maintenance planning across road, rail and inland waterway networks, the outputs of the complementary projects will provide further inputs to the global risk framework to support risk-based infrastructure management to improve safety, mobility levels and the overall resilience of multi-modal networks.
The projects will join forces and participate in cross project dissemination events and activities where this is appropriate and useful (through social media, common sessions in upcoming conferences to be announced, exchange of advisory board and user fora experts for mutual benefit, common policy paper, etc.). The outcome of the meeting was experienced as very positive and a follow-up clustering meeting is foreseenfor 2019 in Paris, UIC Headquarters. For this new meeting other projects related to SAFER-LC, SAFE STRIP and SAFE-10-T will be invited as well.
SAFER-LC (Safer Level Crossing by integrating and optimising road-rail infrastructure and design) aims to improve safety and minimise risk by developing a fully integrated cross-modal set of innovative solutions and tools for the proactive management and design of level-crossing infrastructure. More information about SAFER-LC can be found on the SAFER-LC website: http://safer-lc.eu/
The SAFE-10-T project will develop a Global Risk to ensure high safety performance while allowing longer life-cycles for critical infrastructure across the road, rail and inland waterway modes. More information about SAFE-10-T can be found on the projects’ website: http://www.safe10tproject.eu/
SAFE STRIP aims to introduce a disruptive technology that will embed C-ITS applications into existing road infrastructure, including I2V and V2I communications as well as VMS/VSL functions into low-cost, integrated strip markers on the road. More about SAFE STRIP can be found on the website: http://safestrip.eu
