The International Railway Journal (IRJ), one of the world’s leading trade publications for the rail industry, has spotlighted the NEXUS project in its June 2025 edition. Founded in 1960, IRJ was the first globally distributed magazine for the railway sector and continues to provide in-depth reporting on key developments across passenger, freight, metro, and high-speed rail.
The article introduces NEXUS as a two-year research project focused on improving metro systems through better use of data, simulation, and automation. Funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe programme and supported by Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking, NEXUS brings together 13 partners from across Europe, led by the Italian engineering company STAM.
IRJ highlights the project’s work in two metro networks—Genoa in Italy and Sofia in Bulgaria—where it is testing tools to improve how services respond to passenger needs. This includes the use of artificial intelligence to forecast demand, detect maintenance needs, and manage crowding. The project also looks at how future train control systems might work without onboard drivers, particularly in fully automated metro environments.
The article notes that NEXUS is still in its early stages, with first results expected in 2025, but stresses the importance of its practical approach and focus on real-world metro operations.
Read the full feature in the International Railway Journal, June 2025 edition (pages 35-37).