Effective verbal communication is essential for safe and efficient cross-border railway operations. The Translate4Rail Language Tool (T4R LT) supports railway operational staff by facilitating multilingual communication through predefined messages and translation functionalities, helping to overcome language barriers in daily operations.

The RNE General Assembly approved the new project T4R LT+ to further develop the Translate4Rail Language Tool. This initiative builds on the existing prototype and marks the next step in enhancing digital language support for the European rail sector.

From Prototype to further Development

The initial prototype of the Translate4Rail Language Tool was developed within the Shift2Rail Translate4Rail project by the RNE-UIC consortium. Based on the experience gained and feedback collected during testing, RNE will now continue the development of the tool through a new project titled T4R LT+, running from 2026 to 2027.

The project follows the Language Tool concepts approved by the RNE General Assembly in May 2022, which aim to strengthen language support for railway operations. The overall objective is to improve the effectiveness of cross-border procedures, support verbal communication between operational staff, and help reduce unnecessary dwell times at borders caused by language-related challenges.

Focus Areas of the T4R LT+ Project

The functional and technical specifications for the further development have been elaborated and agreed within the RNE Language Programme.

The focus areas include:

• enhanced recognition of variables within predefined messages
• improved accuracy of speech recognition and translation
• integration of state-of-the-art language technologies into the Translate4Rail Language Tool
• extension of the predefined message catalogue, with a particular focus on infrastructure manager to infrastructure manager (IM-IM) communication
• further development of unscripted language speech input, alongside additional functionalities based on strategic objectives, test recommendations, and requirements defined within the Language Programme

Contributing to Digital and Efficient Rail Operations

To support the implementation of the new functionalities, the project will deliver dedicated guidelines and a training video, enabling users to familiarise themselves efficiently with the enhanced tool.

Authorities and relevant sector stakeholders will also be involved during the project to ensure alignment with operational needs and regulatory expectations.

By addressing persistent language barriers in the European railway sector, the T4R LT+ project contributes to the wider implementation of digital communication procedures and supports more efficient cross-border rail operations.

For further information about the T4R LT+ project or the Language Tool in general, please contact us:

_{The project receives financial support through the CEF Transport Call 2023.}