Technical developments rail systems in Europe
What are the main drivers and how do you ensure that this comes about?

On Tuesday 21 September, the Rail Systems Division of KIVI (Royal Institute of Engineers) is organising the "Technical Developments of Rail Systems in Europe" activity with presentations by specialists from a carrier (NS) and rail operator (ProRail).

In the 'Single Basic Act', the EU has defined the continuation of the Horizon 2020 programme for the coming years. For 9 technology areas (including: rail, aeronautics and healthcare) it describes the spearheads for European-funded innovation and how that innovation boost will be organised through 'Joint Undertakings'. For rail, this is ERJU (Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking') and consists of two parts:

1) System Pillar: setting the picket lines for the future European rail network;
2) Innovation Pillar: organising innovation projects.

In ERJU, better than in its predecessor Shift2Rail, the wishes of users, infrastructure managers and transport operators are to be taken into account. They had already organised themselves in the RCA and OCORA partnerships to discuss user requirements with institutes (ERA, EC) and industry. That preparatory work will feed into the System Pillar and bring the European innovation effort more in line with user needs.

In the 21 September meeting, Paul Hendriks (ProRail / RCA) and Jos Holtzer (NS / OCORA) will talk about the following:

- What are the European Commission's objectives for rail infrastructure development and how is it organised?
- What RCA and OCORA are, respectively;
- How technology development see as a solution to the slow achievement of an interoperable European rail network;
- What they have achieved in the meantime;
- And how they envisage the future in ERJU.

The last topic will also provide an opportunity to give an insight into the complex European rail sector and how infra managers and transport operators are effectively getting their priorities on the agenda in it.
KIVIRail Systems Section cordially invites you to gain insight into these great applications!

(Preliminary) Time schedule

16:00 - 16:05 Start webinar/walk-in

16:05 - 16:10 Welcome speech by Maarten de Vries (KIVI Railsystems)

16:10 - 16:55 How technical innovation realises European policy: example railways - presentations by Jos Holtzer (NS) and Paul Hendriks (ProRail)

16:55 - 17:25 Half hour for questions + walk-out

17:30 Closing by Daan Verbruggen (KIVI Rail Systems)

There is no charge to participate in this activity, everyone is welcome.

Register via the KIVI website.

After registration, the details to log in will be sent to your e-mail address.
For questions, please send an e-mail to the Rail Systems Department: railsystemen@kivi.nl with the subject "Technical developments rail systems in Europe".