On 5 September 2024, the Chair of the International Union of Railways (UIC), Dr Alan Beroud, who also serves as the CEO of Polish State Railways, met with the UIC Management Board to jointly discuss and define the key directions for the organisation’s development in the coming years. During the meeting, the significance of railways in the international transport system was emphasised, particularly in light of current geopolitical challenges and the growing need to modernise railway infrastructure.
The discussion focused on setting priorities that will shape UIC’s activities, including the development of technological innovations, strengthening sustainable development and enhancing operational safety standards. A shared vision was established, which highlights the importance of close regional cooperation and the ongoing pursuit of harmonising international technological and operational standards.
Key UIC initiatives and projects
1. Technological innovations: UIC and the Board discussed the continued development of the FRMCS (Future Railway Mobile Communication System) project, which is a key element of future railway communication systems. This project aims to develop 5G specifications for rail to replace GSM-R networks.
2. Sustainable development: UIC is continuing its work on projects related to reducing CO2 emissions, including the implementation of renewable energy technologies such as hydrogen and batteries. As part of this area, an energy-saving task force has been established, which has collected best practices from over 70 UIC members.
3. Rail Vision 2030: A significant aspect of the strategy is supporting the Vision of Rail in 2030, which integrates new technologies into traditional solutions, encompassing eight multi-annual work programmes focused on improving railway capacity and service quality.
4. Operational safety: One of UIC’s priorities is raising operational safety standards, including the implementation of innovative solutions based on artificial intelligence for better risk management.
Railways in the geopolitical context
During the meeting, the UIC Board and Dr Alan Beroud also discussed the crucial role of railways in the global context. Rail, as a sustainable and safe mode of transport, plays an increasingly important role in the face of geopolitical challenges such as climate change and the need for stable supply chains. Strengthening the position of railways in international transport policy and modernising infrastructure are key elements of UIC’s strategy for the coming years.
The joint efforts of the Board and Dr Beroud aim to further strengthen UIC’s position as a platform for exchanging best practices and innovative solutions, which will shape the future of railway transport globally.
