Rome, 17 September 2025
Promoting strategic cooperation by using drones to monitor rail and road infrastructure in Italy: this is the goal of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by FS Italiane Group and the Italian National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC).
This three-year agreement was signed by Salvatore Iannicelli, Chief Security Officer of FS Group, and Fabio Nicolai, Deputy Director General of ENAC. The agreement paves the way for a structured and innovative collaboration to make transport networks safer, prevent risks and ensure service continuity in any conditions.
Purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to exploit the potential of flights even in BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) mode, to fly over network sections otherwise difficult to monitor, scan risk areas and collect data in real time. Under it, research projects will be developed, drone-related services and applications will be tested, training courses will be scheduled, flight activities will be planned, and safety and certification procedures will be defined for an increasingly integrated use of drones in day-to-day operations.
Implementation of the Memorandum will be ensured through specific project agreements, which will define responsibilities, financial and human resources, operating methods, and implementation deadlines. A specific technical committee — composed of representatives from the Group's operating companies (Rete Ferroviaria Italiana, Trenitalia, ANAS, FS Security, FS Logistix, Busitalia, Ferrovie del Sud Est, Ferservizi, and FS Sistemi Urbani) — will be established, with the task of coordinating initiatives, sharing expertise, and identifying the main use scenarios.
Priorities of the technical roundtable include testing innovative solutions for infrastructure and train maintenance, adopting integrated emergency management approaches, introducing advanced tools for monitoring stations and passenger flows during major events, and evaluating new ways to make logistics and operational processes more efficient. Another focus will be the use of drones for security purposes, to help strengthen the synergy between the different technologies already being employed by FS Security to protect the infrastructure, travellers and personnel.
‘Through this important partnership with FS Group - stated Fabio Nicolai, Deputy General Manager of ENAC - we are putting all our experience and knowledge to work, to develop service projects for citizens and the territory. By exploiting the third dimension, we will look at the future of advanced air mobility together, with new integrated models capable of developing innovative, environmentally-sustainable and efficient solutions in areas of common interest, including management of major events and critical issues.’
‘This initiative is a significant step towards innovation to improve our infrastructure’s security. This additional tool complements the other important technological measures already successfully tested over the past year - said Salvatore Iannicelli, Chief Security Officer of FS Group. - Thanks to drone technology, we will be able to monitor our networks more effectively and guarantee high safety standards to our passengers.’
With this agreement, FS Group and ENAC are reinforcing their role as drivers of innovation in the transport sector, by investing in advanced technologies and transforming safety into a strategic asset for the country.