Deep sleep on a light European train: modularity and lightweight, key to profitable night trains

Abstract

Current night trains pose a challenge to economic efficiency due to ageing vehicles, limited space and high operating costs, among other things. The AliSa project is rethinking European night trains by developing a modular and lightweight sleeping car concept. A coach concept is being developed that addresses these challenges through the use of advanced lightweight construction methods and sustainable materials to improve both comfort and cost-effectiveness. One of the most important innovations is a modular coach concept with a modular interior that allows flexible use in both day and night operation. The coach concept is divided into three separate but permanently coupled coaches, which can be easily coupled with other groups of three depending on daily requirements. Each coach has modular compartments that maximise privacy and optimise space utilisation. This improves overall capacity utilisation and reduces operating costs. Structural optimisations are being made to the car bodies to reduce weight and increase cost-effectiveness. The AliSa project shows that, despite increased passenger comfort, the adapted and holistic modular design leads to a lower environmental impact and improved cost-effectiveness. In this way, the passenger density in night-time operation can be increased by up to 39.4% compared to the state of the art.