On 26 & 27 January 2017, UIC hosted the first preparatory meetings of the 12th World Congress on Rail Research. These were the first meetings under the chairmanship of the organisers of the 12th WCRR, the Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI). This next edition of WCRR will be held in October 2019 in Tokyo.

The meeting of the WCRR Executive Committee took place on 26 January. During this meeting the WCRR members discussed the planning of the congress, structure of sessions, themes following a detailed overview and feedback on the organisation of the 11th WCRR which was organised and hosted by the Italian State Railways in Milan in mid-2016. The report was accepted by the Executive Committee and the WCRR chairman expressed his gratitude for the excellent organisation and values of WCRR 2016.

On 27 January the Organising Committee of the WCRR convened. Mr Ikuo Watanabe, Executive Director of RTRI officially opened the process of preparation of the next Congress. He thanked the Italian predecessors for their achievements and explained the challenges facing the Japanese organisers. Mr Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, UIC Director General, added that the World Congresses on Railway Research are the world’s foremost international forums for promoting, developing and exchanging the latest innovations in the global rail industry.

The aim of WCRR is to deliver a better-performing and more sustainable railway system that appeals more to new and existing customers, looking towards two horizons: a long-term vision and the near future with a successful involvement of UIC. He assured WCRR members of UIC’s support in order to make the next WCRR a highly successful event. The next WCRR 2019 EXE/ORG meetings are scheduled to be held from 19 – 20 October 2017.