Supporting Tram Drivers in the Goal of Achieving Zero Accidents with ARISE

Urban transport is undergoing a transformation. As European cities seek to decarbonize mobility, trams are emerging as a critical component of the solution. With transport emissions accounting for 25% of the EU’s total greenhouse gases, and trams emitting nine times less CO₂ than road vehicles, the path to sustainable mobility runs on rails.

Yet tram systems face different challenges—from operational incidents to staff shortages and safety risks—that threaten their reliability and efficiency. That’s where ARISE (Advanced Rail Innovation for Safety and Efficiency) steps in.

Tackling Urban Tram Challenges with Smart Technology

ARISE, co-funded by EIT Urban Mobility, aims to enhance the safety, performance, and adoption of urban tram systems through the deployment of OTIV.TWO, developed by OTIV, a next-generation Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) built specifically for trams.

Grounded in the VDV191 Recommendation, OTIV.TWO supports drivers in navigating complex environments by providing real-time information and decision support, calculated from real time data gathered both from its own sensors and the trams, analysing and predicting collision probabilities by Artificial intelligence, ultimately improving safety, enhancing efficiency, and reducing delays through intelligent warnings.

Its modular, scalable configuration includes key components like cameras, LiDAR sensors, a central processing unit, and a Driver Machine Interface (DMI).

The system adapts to operator-specific needs with parameters such as braking curves, system reaction times, and velocity thresholds. While OTIV.TWO provides timely alerts and guidance, tram drivers always retain full control.

From Validation to Real-World Testing Across Europe

The implementation of OTIV.TWO begins with a rigorous validation of its documentation and algorithmic logic, led by the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) using historical tram data. From there, ARISE transitions to real-world pilot testing in Zaragoza, Lisbon, and Antwerp—three cities representing 90 % of global tramway configurations.

• • • Zaragoza, Spain: Modern segregated tram network with Tranvías de Zaragoza.
    • Lisbon, Portugal: Historic mixed-traffic operations in collaboration with CARRIS.
    • Antwerp, Belgium: Dense multimodal urban network through De Lijn.

Each pilot begins with installation, calibration, and comprehensive training for tram drivers and support teams, in collaboration with tram manufacturer CAF. Testing includes both closed-track evaluations and operational deployments focusing on safety outcomes, technical performance, environmental impact, Human-machine interface and driver experience, topics studied by the leader of the consortium, University College London (UCL). Key indicators such as accident reduction, travel time improvements, and user satisfaction will be measured against pre-project baselines.

Toward Scalable Deployment and Urban Impact

Initial results from the ARISE pilots will inform broader deployment strategies in cities like Barcelona, in collaboration with TRAM Barcelona and The province of Utrecht, with accompanying commercialization and market analysis ensuring long-term viability. The project targets a 20% reduction in avoidable tram accidents and a 5% improvement in journey times.

ARISE exemplifies European collaboration across sectors: technology (OTIV), academia (UPC, UCL, CARNET-UPC), transport operators (Tranvías de Zaragoza, CARRIS, De Lijn, TRAM Barcelona, and Province of Utrecht), and industry (CAF). This ecosystem, supported by EIT Urban Mobility, is driving the future of safe, smart, and sustainable tram travel.

This project is supported by EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and technology (EIT), a body of the European Union. EIT Urban Mobility acts to accelerate positive change on mobility to make urban spaces more liveable. Learn more:eiturbanmobility.eu