The final outcome of the project has been a comprehensive set of technology concepts, along with the methodology for interior noise prediction. Altogether they provide a scenario and a starting point for the design of future running-gear generations with substantially improved performances. The following key indicators were assessed in the 3-car RUN2Rail metro trainset concept running on the case-study infrastructure:
• bogie associated maintenance costs €/(bogie*year): -15% (S2R target -20%);
• vehicle fleet operating costs €/(trainset*year): -8.5%;
• running gear mass t/trainset (overall S2R target -20%): -11% to -18% due to lower unsprung mass (even with a conventional layout), -15% to -20% due to the adoption of the single-axle concept;
• infrastructure / wheel wear and damage, in terms of wear volume per wheel or metre of rail per year (S2R targets -25% wheel, -10% rail): -5% to -8% due to lower unsprung masses, -25% (wheel), -10% (rail) or more due to the wider use of mechatronics
• energy consumption kWh/(trainset*year): - 10% due to lightweighting, single axle concept.
The quantitative analysis of their economic impacts suggests that the technology concepts that should receive top priority are those that bring about lightweighting. The single-axle running-gear concept seems likely to outweight the costs.
The RUN2Rail virtual test method for running-gear noise transmission shows potential for savings in the design phase and allows improved designs for interior noise with shorter times to market.
The environmental and social impacts look positive and desirable: energy savings, lower impacts of running-gear manufacturing on the environment and on worker health&safety, potential in supporting modal shift to rail.
Finally, suggestions for R&S documents – essentially for the European Technical Specifications for Interoperability and EN standards – have come from all thematic WSs. In particular, the “strategy” shared with ERA and CEN, comprising templates and examples, support future R&S for active suspensions and steering.