Spanish infrastructure major Acciona said it is contributing its expertise in infrastructure and innovation to RAIL4EARTH, a major European research initiative exploring the future of sustainable and climate-resilient rail - a focus that resonates strongly with the Middle East, where ambitious rail expansion is driving demand for infrastructure capable of withstanding extreme heat and climate-related challenges.
Funded by Horizon Europe and developed under Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking, RAIL4EARTH brings together 73 European organizations, including infrastructure managers, rail operators, construction companies, universities and technology centres.
As part of the project, Acciona will develop and validate an advanced infrastructure monitoring system designed to improve the resilience of rail infrastructure to climate-related events. The company will also develop sustainable mitigation measures aimed at reducing the impact of extreme weather on railway infrastructure.
According to Acciona, the research has particular relevance for the Middle East where major investment in new rail infrastructure is increasing the focus on how transport networks can withstand more extreme temperatures and climate-related weather events.
The work is particularly relevant as rail networks worldwide face increasingly challenging conditions, including extreme temperatures, intense rainfall and other weather-related disruptions.
For regions such as the Middle East, where countries are investing heavily in expanding and modernizing rail networks, incorporating resilience into infrastructure planning is becoming increasingly important, it stated.
Acciona will also contribute to RAIL4EARTH's circular economy objectives by researching new materials containing recycled components for rolling stock, supporting more efficient use of resources and greater sustainability across the rail sector.
The project began in March 2026 and will run until September 2028, followed by a validation phase planned through 2030. Its research focuses on four key areas: climate change adaptation, energy efficiency, circular economy, and innovation in infrastructure and rolling stock.
Through RAIL4EARTH, Acciona is contributing its experience in the design and development of complex infrastructure to help address the challenges climate change presents for the future of rail transportation.
