We are the group of experts on railway systems at CTU in Prague.
In the field of infrastructure, CTU FTS deals with the design and dimensioning of railway lines and (especially junction) stations and railway superstructure and substructure with regard to operational requirements and economic efficiency, so that train paths do not unnecessarily degrade the use of railway capacity. It also deals with the design of public transport platforms and interchange terminals and combined rail systems (tram-train), thus assisting transport service customers in the appropriate formulation of infrastructure development requirements, including the estimation of investment costs of infrastructure works. At the same time, it also takes into account the environmental impact of rail transport in terms of noise and vibration, emissions and exhalations, the barrier effect of structures, wildlife migration corridors through linear structures, protected areas and EIA and SEA processes, including incorporation into spatial planning documentation, for example in the form of shared zones in cities, etc. Traditionally, this area has also focused on energy consumption in rail transport, including the use of alternative vehicle propulsion (hydrogen, batteries).
CTU FTS is also involved in numerical modelling and scientific and technical calculations in the field of materials for railway superstructure and increasing the load capacity of railway substructure.
In addition to technical and transport-technology specialisations, another focus of interest for researchers at CTU FTS is travelling. Network operational concepts (and general methodologies for their development) are proposed both at the national (long-distance, including a prospective solution with high-speed rail) level, based usually on the principle of the periodic timetable, and at the regional and agglomeration level. Emphasis is placed on the operational integration of long-distance and regional transport (and the joint efficient use of rail capacity with freight transport), including respect for local interchanges, and consistency with the strategic objectives of regional transport service customers. On the basis of this knowledge, it is then possible to formulate targeted medium- and long-term requirements for railway infrastructure, including the prioritisation of project plans. CTU FTS also deals with public transport planning in modern context, i.e. forecasting of transport relations with the help of PTV VISUM software and in cooperation with Charles University also with the issue of transport behaviour. The knowledge gained in this way is used to design appropriate forms of mobility as a service within the concept of smart cities and regions. CTU FTS also deals with the collection of data on passenger preferences in terms of railway vehicle equipment, which helps the ordering authorities to formulate functional requirements for the vehicle fleet towards carriers.
The CTU FTS is developing a train expert system for autonomous driving (VEXA) in cooperation with AŽD Praha, s.r.o. The CTU FTS also deals with communication between railway vehicles and infrastructure and cyber security. In the field of technical safety, CTU FTS systematically deals with complex risk management of transport processes, including a study of railway operation safety for the needs of SŽ, s.o. from 2022. CTU FTS also deals with a unified approach to the analysis of risks associated with level crossings. It has measuring equipment for possible use for diagnostics of the line or its surroundings. These include 3D scanning methods, photogrammetry using a drone (cooperation with AŽD Praha, s.r.o.) or geodetic surveying and a professional thermal camera.
CTU FTS focuses on modern trends in railway traffic control and safety, including the effective deployment of the European Train Control System (ETCS). In this area, it carries out both original research and cooperation with practice. For practical teaching or demonstration of the results of research and development, it has a Traffic Hall with installed station and line signalling equipment of all categories, connected by the original information and control system and supplemented by a model track for simulation of train journeys. CTU FTS also provides the operation of the Testing Laboratory of the Faculty of Transport for testing of railway signalling equipment, including the Eurobalise system, and the Certification Body for products at the Faculty of Transport with an established quality system according to ČSN EN ISO/IEC 17065:2013, accredited by ČIA, o.p.s. under number 3196, with a flexible scope of accreditation.
The original Concept of Railway 4.0 - a vision of comprehensive digital control and security of railway operation, i.e. a technological elaboration of the vision of "Intelligent Transport Systems on the Railway" was created at CTU FTS. It should lead to an integral signalling system and to the concept of intelligent vehicles, i.e. vehicles that will enable full security of their journey, including its automation and optimisation, thanks to on-board technologies ETCS, ATO, GSM-R/FRMCS, 4G/5G. This concept answers the question of how to secure regional railway lines in quality and at reasonable costs, and thus enable their further development within the transport system of the Czech Republic. CTU FTS also deals with the issue of enabling the operation of light rail vehicles (tram-train) on the railway network as the backbone of regional transport services and the issue of interoperability of the topological description of railway infrastructure (i.e. The activities of the Laboratory of Handling and Information Systems in Public Passenger Transport are also related to railways. CTU FTS is also involved in the practical training of train drivers, including the development of its own simulator.
CTU FTS is an official member of international organisations and platforms focused on railways:
and the Digital Railway group within the National Technology Platform Interoperability of Railway Infrastructure, dealing with the topics of BIM, FRMCS, digitalisation of administration, alternative energy sources, circular economy, noise and vibration reduction.