• Both companies will work together to produce studies and execute research projects and programs, and also to create public-private partnerships for making joint bids on international projects
• The priority lines of research will be railway aerodynamics, railway operations in desert environments, satellite control systems, noise and vibration analyses, and electrical and remote control systems
• Adif's Railway Technology Center already boasts the presence of over 25 cutting edge technology companies

The presidents of Adif, Antonio González, and SENER, Jorge Sendagorta, have signed a framework cooperation agreement for technological development which will incorporate SENER into Adif's Railway Technology Center (CTF) in the PTA (Parque Tecnológico de Andalucía) in Málaga (Spain).

The agreement, which will be valid through 2012 with the possibility of being extended in subsequent years, sets the following lines of research in the field of railway innovation:

• Railway aerodynamics.
• Meteorological phenomena and their influence on rail operations (side winds, extreme climate phenomena etc.).
• Railway operations in desert environments.
• Satellite control systems for railway operations.
• Optimization and innovation of electrical and remote control systems.
• Advanced analysis of the noises and vibrations associated with railway operations.

In this sense, Adif and SENER will work hand in hand to conduct studies and execute research, development and innovation projects and programs in their areas of common scientific interest, sharing (where possible) facilities for conducting these types of activities, preferably in the field of testing and training.

The collaboration between Adif and SENER may also take various forms, from creating public-private partnerships for presenting R&D&I projects, to joint applications for national or community grants, or for preparing joint bids on international projects.

Likewise, both companies have agreed to provide mutual consulting and/or support, as well as to exchange information on topics related to promoting, developing and tracking scientific activities by preparing reports and creating work groups, along with other types of collaboration.

Lastly, Adif and SENER will work together on programs for training research and technical staff, and will organize shared activities that will promote the companies' research and technological development.

The Málaga CTF: an innovation and technology trailblazer

Adif, which since its founding has been committed to innovation and technological development, has 48 R&D&I projects in their execution phases, and six projects recently approved for the INNPACTO 2011 program  all of them in partnerships with different organizations, representing an overall investment of €118 million. This is all in addition to its close cooperation with over 100 Spanish companies, 24 technology centers and 26 universities.

The Center was conceived as an open space where innovation and business collaboration could be fostered, with a focus on using R&D&I to develop railway technology projects.

It currently boasts the presence and participation of over 25 cutting edge technology companies from fields such as telecommunications, railway signaling and superstructures, civil engineering and construction, rail rolling stock, energy and sustainability, with the incorporation of new companies on the horizon.

Thus, by creating the CTF Adif hopes to solidify the position of the Spanish rail system as the technological vanguard of Europe and the world. This technological center and the supplemental rail ring that will be built for test runs, will be at the cutting edge of global research, development and innovation in the high speed train industry.

The first phase of the CTF has two laboratories customized for Adif: the GSM-R Laboratory for RBC-Train technology and development of data engineering for ERTMS; and the TIC Laboratory dedicated to intelligent transportation systems and work on the DaVinci railway traffic management system.

In addition, the Center is also equipped with specialized departments for training, technological monitoring, R&D&I project management and technology transfer for developing Adif's domestic and international proprietary projects, or conversely for projects for third parties under contract.