On Nov. 25, the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and Bombardier Transportation signed a cooperation agreement aimed at long-term collaboration in the area of railway vehicle research. The terms of the contract include regular professional exchanges and provide for simpler commissioning of joint research and development work. The framework agreement covers an initial period up to Dec. 31, 2014.

The main aim of the agreement is to jointly promote research and development for next-generation high speed trains. Practical fields of collaboration are railway vehicle aerodynamics and aeroacoustics, dynamic stability, interior airflows and acoustics. Lightweight vehicle construction, energy systems and energy management, issues regarding homologation and railway control systems, as well as safety systems, are also covered.

DLR officials point to the partnership with private industry as necessary to determine whether and how ideas can be implemented. Over the next year, two key test facilities for high-speed vehicle construction are to be opened: a tunnel simulation and a crosswind test facility.

DLR's test facility portfolio includes five wind tunnels related to high speed vehicle construction. As part of its "Next Generation Train" project, the expertise of nine DLR institutes will be combined under the auspices of DLR Institute of Vehicle Concepts in Stuttgart, Germany.