Looking ahead to InnoTrans 2022: Carlo Borghini, EU-Rail

What are you most interested in seeing at InnoTrans 2022?

InnoTrans is the event allowing us to meet key stakeholders and place Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail) on the map at international level, and also with the general public. It is also the perfect opportunity for us to feel the market, see what new technologies are on display and get inspiration to elaborate our future call for proposals.

What is your main reason for attending the event this year?

It is our third attendance at InnoTrans. The first time was in 2016, short after the launch of Shift2Rail (S2R) and we had a dedicated space on the stand of the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA). In 2018, we were able to fill a 100m² stand with the first innovative solutions developed through the S2R programme. In 2022, we are present at the successor of S2R, now EU-Rail, and will display more advanced innovations from the S2R Programme and explain to participants the new objectives and mission of EU-Rail, including the new system approach that will facilitate the convergence of the sector to make the Single European Railway Area a reality.

What do you think are the main challenges the railway sector will face over the coming years?

The success of the rail system convergence towards a seamless, safe, interoperable, sustainable, and efficient network will depend on the capacity of the sector to rethink how to operate it…

The success of the rail system convergence towards a seamless, safe, interoperable, sustainable, and efficient network will depend on the capacity of the sector to rethink how to operate it, and on adequate policy decision to phase out obsolete systems, currently hindering the growth of rail market share. The competitiveness of the European rail industry and its excellence remain a key objective too. As part of the European Commission’s European Greed Deal, the European Year of Rail has boosted further the attention to the rail sector, and it is now the moment to capitalise on this momentum to deliver and make rail the mobility lifestyle of passengers, the transport choice of logistic.

To what extent do you think InnoTrans helps and supports the rail sector in its transformation?

By allowing the rail sector to meet in one single place, in such a large area, where demos are a key element, the rail industry can assess its state of development and feed itself on the gaps in the market. Through the thematic sessions, key issues are brought to light and best practice is shared. With over 100,000 visitors, InnoTrans is a true window on the world of railways and a unique opportunity to network. We are glad to organise live and permanent participation from our members, on the Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) initiative, ATO, braking systems, noise reduction devices, travel companion etc. We will also organise and attend several panels, including a session on the DAC, the launch of the second edition of our Catalogue of Solutions, Women in Mobility Luncheon and much more.

What would you like to see more of at future InnoTrans events?

InnoTrans will certainly still be the reference event for the railway sector. At the next InnoTrans, I wish to see some true progress on technologies to support the shift to a carbon neutral mobility through digitalisation and automation. I would also expect to see advances in ticketing and operations to make passenger’s journeys easy and affordable for all. Lastly, I wish that, by then, freight transformation has started with the initial elements of the DAC deployment.

Visit Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking at InnoTrans: Hall 27, Stand 5.11

Global Railway Review will be exhibiting at InnoTrans in Hall 6.2 at Stand 460. Please visit here to arrange a meeting with the Global Railway Review team.