NEXUS concludes after two years of innovation for the future of metro operations

After two years of research, collaboration and innovation, the NEXUS – Next-Generation Technologies for Enhanced Metro Operations project has officially concluded.

Supported by the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking, NEXUS explored how emerging technologies can contribute to safer, more efficient, resilient and passenger-oriented metro systems. Through use cases in Genoa, Italy, and Sofia, Bulgaria, the project examined the potential of artificial intelligence, simulation, digital twins, cybersecurity, advanced automation and passenger-centred design to address real operational challenges facing metro systems.

From research to operational relevance

A central principle throughout NEXUS was that innovation should respond to the needs of metro operators and transport authorities. The project therefore combined technological development with operational requirements, infrastructure constraints and stakeholder perspectives.

Among the results developed and explored during the project were optimised metro vehicle concepts, designed to improve passenger flow, accessibility and capacity; simulation and digital-twin approaches supporting operational decision-making; and research into advanced automation and future GoA4 metro operations.

The project also assessed the wider implications of increasing automation, considering not only technological aspects but also passenger experience, environmental and societal benefits, investment requirements and organisational readiness.

This work demonstrated the potential of NEXUS solutions in different operational contexts. For example, simulations conducted with the MOBIUS platform indicated potential fleet reductions of up to 22% in Genoa, while some configurations showed more than 20% reductions in energy use and emissions. NEXUS vehicle concepts also indicated potential improvements in capacity and passenger flow, including a 15% increase in vehicle capacity in Genoa while maintaining dwell time.

Three results for future metro operations

As the project reached its conclusion, the NEXUS consortium consolidated three Key Exploitable Results (KERs), each following a different pathway towards future uptake:

• AI Handbook for Metro Operators – practical, metro-specific guidance supporting the adoption of AI across different levels of automation.
• Decision Support and Simulation Platform for Metro Operations – a digital-twin-based approach enabling operators to test scenarios and optimise operational decisions.
• Automation Architecture for Driverless Metro Systems – an open and modular architecture supporting the evolution towards future GoA4 metro systems.

Together, these results reflect different stages of the innovation pathway, from guidance and training, through validation and piloting, to longer-term industrial and research uptake.

Connecting NEXUS with the European metro community

As part of the project, ERTICO oversaw the dissemination and communication effort, helping to connect NEXUS with the wider European metro and rail community.

Through stakeholder engagement and targeted communication activities, ERTICO brought together key stakeholders from across the European metro sector and supported their involvement throughout the development of NEXUS results. This helped ensure that the project’s work remained connected to the priorities and challenges of the sector, while contributing to the foundations for the future uptake and impact of its results across European rail transport.

The NEXUS Final Event, held in Brussels on 28 September 2026, provided an opportunity for the consortium, project stakeholders, experts and representatives from across the sector to come together and reflect on the project’s achievements and future perspectives.

Looking beyond the project

The conclusion of NEXUS marks the end of the project, but not the end of the innovation pathways it has explored.

The project’s work highlights the importance of moving beyond research results towards validation, operationally relevant pilots, partnerships and appropriate investment and governance conditions. Its legacy therefore lies not only in the technologies and solutions developed, but also in the evidence, knowledge and connections created to support their future evolution.

As European metro systems continue to respond to changing passenger expectations, sustainability objectives and the opportunities offered by digitalisation and automation, the results and lessons from NEXUS provide a foundation for continued exploration of smarter, more efficient, resilient and future-ready urban rail operations.

Want to learn more about NEXUS' vision and results?

listen to the project's podcast on YouTube or Spotify: