This project NEAR2050 will analyse and take in to account developing technologies, new societal trends, and changing demographics among others in order to obtain a full account of what users currently need and expect from the rail sector and what they will need and expect from the rail sector based on mega trend based scenarios in 2022,2030 and 2050. NEAR2050 will analyse the entire process that needs to be gone through by both passengers and freight. This will look at the door-to-door offers as well as what planning options exist for customers. Investigations will be carried out as to what can be put in place to overcome the obstacles uncovered in the previous stage. These will range from “quick wins” and easy to implement ideas, to long term plans that require investment over numerous years. Using the future needs determined over the course of this project, NEAR2050 will look at what each of the actors can implement how difficult implementation will be, and will make recommendations of implementation plans. NEAR2050 will look at other mobility modes, make a determination of their development over the time scenarios and with that make a determination as to the type of cooperation that will be required and how this can be implemented. This can include interaction with busses, shared and private bikes, shared and private cars. The analyses will look at the opportunities of shared ticketing, booking, and pricing systems, and the availability of these mobility modes among others.

Smart-Rail has established the following objectives that are aligned with the requirements of the topic MG 2.2 and the various policy objectives: •Introduce a wide set of innovative measures aiming to improve the freight rail services offered to the shippers, focusing on five key topics: reliability, lead time, costs, flexibility and visibility. •Contribute to a mental-shift of the rail sector toward a client oriented and supply chain focus. •Develop working business models for cooperation of different stakeholders. •Develop a methodology and architecture for exchange of data/information required for the optimisation process, between stakeholders, making use of existing initiatives where available (for instance the European Corridor Management and national logistical information centres). •Establish and maintain communication with the different levels of stakeholders •Establish three Living Labs that each focus on different aspects and markets and implement the developed tools, methodologies and concepts. The purpose of the Living Labs is to test and improve the innovative measures in a real life situation. Specific and more dedicated business models, information systems and new rail services will be tested. The living labs to be implemented are: • Living Lab 1: Dedicated services; Wagonload trains. • Living Lab 2: Managing connectivity of rail with other modes; Control tower for long distance rail freight transport. • Living Lab 3: Reliability of rail and (unexpected) obstructions on the track; Betuwe route (Rotterdam-Genua corridor). •Broad and effective exploitation of the results of the project facilitated by a Smart Rail portal where all relevant information, data and tools can be exchanged and where stakeholders find each other and can share their experiences.