In order to maximize the efficiency of IN2ZONE and focus on real-world impact, a simple, but effective structure will be used. The work is split into 7 WPs, with the technical focus lying in WP2 to WP6. The management of the project will be handled in WP1, while WP7 will ensure dissemination, impact and exploitation of the results.
WP1 – Project Management
WP1 will ensure the optimal coordination and management of IN2ZONE, guaranteeing the effective implementation of the project activities
WP2 - State of the art and technical specification
This WP will develop a technical specification for transition zones by identifying best practices, and combining the best existing solutions with technological advances from other sectors. It will Identify new approaches that will significantly improve performance via reduced initial ballast settlement, and a smooth and optimal whole-system stiffness extending from natural sub-soil to the railhead.
WP3 - Detailed design of the next generation transition zone
Main objective of this WP is the design of a self-correcting sleeper system. It will tackle the utilisation of new materials and new designs in the development of transition zone components and the development of a modular transition zone architecture. Finally, it will Identify environmental impacts, safety methods and hazards
WP4 - Numerical modelling of transition zones to support the validation of designs
In this WP the numerical models will be developed and validated/verified. The models will be used to provide evidence supporting the performance improvements of the developed transition zone solutions. The main objectives are:
- To develop numerical models on micro (ballast particles behaviour) and macro (vehicle-track interaction) level for analysis of the dynamic behaviour of transition zone
- To validate and verified the developed models
- To perform simulations to demonstrate the performance improvement of the transition zone solutions developed in WP3
WP5 – Resilience based monitoring of transition zone
This work package includes all tasks related to condition monitoring. Therefore it intends:
- To collect, analyse and elicit the functional and non-functional requirements of the monitoring system
- To analyse the requirements of the self-correction functionality
- To specify the monitoring system
- To design the instrumentation and monitoring system
WP6 - Large scale laboratory testing of a next generation transition zone
This WP will bring to the setup of a full-scale demonstrator. Related objectives are:
- Construct a full-scale transition zone and perform accelerated testing
- Validate the next generation transition zone design and simulations
- Create a detailed design and technical specification for physical transition zone demonstrators
WP7 - Impact and dissemination
The main objective of this work package is to perform an impact assessment of the transition zone solutions and disseminate the project outputs to ensure that the results are exploited to their full capacity by their target groups. The specific objectives are:
- Develop an impact assessment model for the technical innovations. The model will be based on life-cycle costs (LCC) and the assessment elements Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety (RAMS) used in rail industry.
- Provide empirical evidence for the impact assessments by using an econometric approach to establish relationships between infrastructure designs and costs.
- To develop communication strategies and establish a dissemination plan to facilitate wide-spread information transfer amongst and beyond the members of the consortium (and beyond the life of the project);
- To set up communication channels with S2R to ensure a permanent link/communication with the relevant S2R OCs, CFMs, IPs and CCAs;
- To ensure that the project outputs reach targeted stakeholders by implementing appropriate communication and dissemination activities;
- To ensure appropriate exploitation of project outcomes.