Call for Resilient Multimodal Passenger Transport with AI and Digital Technologies

The focus areas of this opportunity include the development of systems using real-time data analytics for dynamic disruption response, predictive maintenance strategies through Generative AI and digital technologies, guidelines and tools for transport operators and authorities to minimize disruption and conduct emergency simulations, deployment of training programmes and contingency planning tools for transport and infrastructure operators, reduction of passenger delays and response planning times during disruptions, enhancement of resilience in urban, sub-urban and long-distance transport systems, utilization of digital technologies such as big data, digital twins, generative and discriminative AI, innovative data acquisition and integration methods, safety and security assessments in data interpretation, stakeholder involvement in solution design, and validation through real-life multimodal transport corridor use cases.

This funding opportunity aims to strengthen the resilience of passenger transport systems by supporting the development and implementation of innovative measures that enable transport networks to absorb disruptions, maintain essential services, and recover efficiently. The initiative recognizes resilience as a key factor in ensuring reliable transport operations and maintaining public confidence in mobility services.

Projects are expected to develop advanced systems capable of using real-time data analytics to identify and respond to disruptions. These systems should allow transport operators and infrastructure managers to adjust operations quickly and efficiently, minimizing the impact of unexpected events on passengers and transport services.

A significant component of the initiative is the application of digital technologies, particularly generative and discriminative artificial intelligence, to anticipate disruptions and predict their potential impacts. The use of predictive maintenance strategies is encouraged to identify infrastructure and equipment failures before they occur, enabling proactive intervention and reducing service interruptions.

The opportunity also supports the development of practical guidelines and decision-support tools for transport operators and public authorities. These resources should help stakeholders manage unexpected and critical situations effectively, while also facilitating the organization of real-life emergency simulations to improve preparedness and response capabilities.

Training and capacity-building activities form another important element of the programme. Projects are expected to deploy training programmes for transport and infrastructure operators, providing them with the knowledge, tools, and contingency planning resources needed to handle various transport disruptions efficiently.

Proposals should make use of innovative technologies for data acquisition and integration, bringing together information from multiple sources to improve decision-making processes. Projects are also expected to create scenario libraries for different disruptive events and support the monitoring of response plan implementation.

Authorities and transport operators should be actively involved in the design and development process to ensure that the resulting solutions are practical, user-friendly, and aligned with operational requirements. In addition, safety and security assessments must be incorporated into data interpretation processes to support objective decision-making and reduce the risk of bias.

The proposed solutions must be tested and validated through real-life use cases in multimodal transport corridors covering urban, sub-urban, and long-distance passenger transport. Each use case should involve at least three transport modes and be demonstrated across a minimum of three pilot sites located in different Member States, representing diverse operational, geographic, and technological conditions.

The total budget available for this topic is €10,000,000, with an expected contribution of around €5,000,000 per project. Participation is open to any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment, including entities from non-associated third countries and international organisations, provided that the applicable conditions of the Horizon Europe framework and the specific topic requirements are met.

Applicants and affiliated entities are required to register in the Participant Register to obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC). Validation by the Central Validation Service will be required before the grant agreement is signed, with supporting documentation demonstrating legal status and origin submitted during the grant preparation stage.

For more information, visit EC.