This paper details the development and onboard evaluation of an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) specifically designed for maritime firefighting and rescue operations on roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) ships. Emphasizing the use of open hardware and software, the study focuses on the operational practicality and legal fesibility of a UAS prototype. The assessment of the UASs performance is multifaceted, incorporating expert surveys and a SWOT analysis. Key findings demonstrate the significant potential of UASs in augmenting maritime safety and emergency response capabilities. The paper provides insights into broader opportunities for integrating UAS technology in maritime operations, highlighting its role in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of critical maritime functions.

he increased importance of cybersecurity in autonomous machinery is becoming evident in the forestry domain. Forestry worksites are becoming more complex with the involvement of multiple systems and system of systems. Hence, there is a need to investigate how to address cybersecurity challenges for autonomous systems of systems in the forestry domain. Using a literature review and adapting standards from similar domains, as well as collaborative sessions with domain experts, we identify challenges towards CE-certified autonomous forestry machines focusing on cybersecurity and safety. Furthermore, we discuss the relationship between safety and cybersecurity risk assessment and their relation to AI, highlighting the need for a holistic methodology for their assurance.

In recent years, the increasing digitalisation and interconnectedness of railway systems have underscored the critical importance of robust cybersecurity measures. Notable cybersecurity incidents, such as the sabotage of more than 20 trains in Poland via simple "radio-stop" commands using low-cost equipment, highlight the vulnerability of these complex systems to disruptions that can have far-reaching consequences. Moreover, the evolving threat landscape, characterised by increasingly sophisticated ransomware and distributed denial-ofservice (DDoS) attacks, poses ongoing challenges that demand continuous vigilance and adaptation. The regulatory response, including stringent EU directives such as the Cybersecurity Act and the NIS 2 Directive, reflects a concerted effort to elevate the cybersecurity standards that impact the transportation sector. The objective of this work is to provide a cybersecurity risk assessment of the Virtually Coupled Train Set (VCTS) design that is developed within the R2DATO EU Rail project. This work leverages the methodologies developed under the Shift2Rail (S2R) initiative, particularly the X2Rail-5 project. The assessment aims to identify potential vulnerabilities and assess the impact of potential threats. Risk and target security level evaluations for VCTS are presented for identifying applicable security requirements from IEC 62443. By applying a risk assessment tool based on IEC 62443-3-2 and CLC/TS 50701 towards regulatory compliance measures, this work seeks to fortify the cybersecurity of railway systems, ensuring safer and more reliable operations in an increasingly digital landscape.

WayWise is an innovative C++ and Qt-based rapid prototyping library designed to advance the development and analysis of connected, autonomous vehicles (CAVs) and Unmanned Arial Systems (UASs). It was deployed on model-sized cars and trucks as well as full-sized mobile machinery, tractors and UASs. It is actively being used in several European research projects. Developed by the RISE Dependable Transport Systems unit, the library facilitates exploration into safety and cybersecurity aspects inherent to various emerging vehicular applications within road traffic and offroad applications. This non-production library emphasizes rapid prototyping, leveraging commercial off-the-shelf hardware and the different protocols for vehicle-control communication, mainly focusing on MAVLINK. The utility of WayWise in rapidly evaluating complex vehicular behaviors is demonstrated through various research projects, thus contributing to the field of autonomous vehicular technology.

This report provides comprehensive information for deciding whether to pursue the deployment of adrone system for increasing safety on ship. The assessments of technical and legal feasibility as wellas usefulness of a drone system for surveying the open decks of a ro-ro ship are presented. The usecases of fire patrol, fire resource management and search & rescue operations are targeted. Aprototype drone system is detailed that is built on open standards and open-source software for highextensibility and reproducibility. Technical feasibility is assessed positively overall using a purpose-designed drone-control software, in-field tests and a demonstration onboard of DFDS PetuniaSeaways. The needs for further development, analysis and long-term tests are described. The legalfeasibility assessment gives an overview of applicable maritime and airspace regulations within theEU. It concludes that the drone system should be seen complementary to existing fire safety systemsand that operational authorization is best applied for in collaboration with a ship owner. Usefulnessis assessed using responses from maritime experts to an online questionnaire on the targeted usecases. Results are positive with two major challenges identified: achieving a reasonable selling priceand obtaining the ship operators’ and crews’ trust in the system. Finally, a SWOT analysis gives aconcise summary of the performed assessments and can be used as input to the strategic businessplanning for a potential drone system provider.

The objective of X2Rail-3 (Grant Agreement No. 826141) Task 7.5 is an analysis of the businessmodel for the Virtually Coupled Train Sets (VCTS) concept. The VCTS concept was developed inX2Rail-3 Work Packages 6 and 7. The MOVINGRAIL project, which was the only project fundedunder the IP2 open call S2R-OC-IP2-01-2018, provided inputs concerning the cost effectiveness,application roadmap as well as business risks and overall market potential of VCTS. Thisdeliverable (D7.5) is the outcome of Task 7.5. First, it provides an analysis of the inputs providedby MOVINGRAIL, putting them in context with previous X2Rail-3 work. Then, taking theconclusions of the analysis into account, two different application cases for VCTS are presented.Strategies to implement the application cases are detailed, including a vision for implementingVCTS within the RCA and OCORA reference architectures. Finally, the business case of VCTS iscompared against business objectives identified within the LinX4Rail project.

The application cases for VCTS presented in this deliverable are standalone VCTS and ETCS-based VCTS. Standalone VCTS is an application of VCTS that focuses on low-traffic lines thatare today using Class B signalling systems that cannot be upgraded to ETCS in a cost-effectiveway. In summary, it is a low-cost onboard train protection system which has the objectives ofproviding an economically interesting upgrade path for Class B systems and raising the maturityof the underlying technology required for VCTS, thus, fostering the wide-scale introduction. ETCS-based VCTS is an application of VCTS that focuses on high-traffic lines and bases on ETCS Level2 or Level 3. ETCS-based VCTS is the actual goal of the VCTS concept and has the mainobjectives of reducing headway and improving flexibility of operation in order to increase linecapacity and provide the technical basis for innovative business models.

For each application case, a migration strategy is presented, detailing the non-technical andtechnical steps required for implementing and on-site testing a first complete demonstrator withina period of three to five years. The migration strategies provide details for train protection, trafficmanagement, automatic train operation, on-board train integrity, communication and VCTS (on-board and trackside, if applicable) sub-systems. As detailed in Deliverable 7.4 “Impact Analysis”which was prepared in parallel to this deliverable, the introduction of VCTS does not change thefundamental principles of any of the existing sub-systems, i.e., a full rework is not required.

Beyond the migration strategies, the vision of implementing ETCS-based VCTS within the RCAand OCORA reference architectures is presented, which would imply software changes only and,thus, simplify the migration considerably. Finally, the impact of VCTS is compared against thebusiness objectives identified in the LinX4Rail project. Taking the presented migration strategiesand MOVINGRAIL input into account, it is shown that VCTS is in line with the RUs’, IMs’ andsuppliers’ business objectives.

Ultimately, VCTS is an innovative concept that can raise scepticism by operators and the generalpublic. Its safety can be achieved within the near future, but this needs to be communicated clearlyto foster the acceptance of VCTS. Only then, VCTS cannot only improve current railway operationwith increased capacity, reliability and lower operational costs, but even provide the basis for novelbusiness models that benefit from the increased flexibility.