The 7th International Railway Summit, a unique three-day networking event organised by IRITS Events in association with UIC concluded in Frankfurt on 22 February after a busy timetable of debate, parallel one-to-one consultation meetings, technical visits, and many formal and informal networking opportunities.
Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof hotel in central Frankfurt welcomed some 200 delegates representing 93 companies and organisations from 24 countries across the globe.
The 7th International Railway Summit’s conference programme, comprising keynote speeches, presentations, technical reviews, and controversial debate, tackled the theme ‘How do we achieve an efficient railway system in the digital era?’ The programme was chaired by UIC’s Chief Digital Officer, Francis Bédel.
Keynote speakers included Elisabeth Werner, Director of Land Transport at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE), Tobias Miethaner, Director General Digital Society, German Ministry of Transport & Digital Infrastructure, Bas Leermakers, Interim Secretary General, Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF) and Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, Director General, UIC. There were also spirited panel discussions, technical reviews and contributions from a variety of influential figures within the rail sector.
During the two-day conference programme delegates discussed the impact of digital on cross-border operations, smart cities, data analytics, 5G communications, infrastructure investment, and global visions for the future of transport.
Delegates were able to visit rail facilities in the city to learn about local practice, through guided tours of VGF’s tram and metro infrastructure, Deutsche Bahn’s digital innovation hub, Skydeck, and DB’s suburban train maintenance depot.
The 8th International Railway Summit will take place in New Delhi from 20 – 22 November 2019, the first time the event will be held in India. The 9th International Railway Summit will be held in Warsaw, Poland from 19 – 21 February 2020.
