7th Training Session on High Speed Systems

General context

High speed rail is not only a technical subject, but encompasses a complex reality involving various technical aspects such as infrastructure, rolling stock and operations and cross-sector issues such as financial, commercial, managerial and training aspects.

The high speed rail system combines these various elements using highly sophisticated technology. This rapidly expanding new transport mode is often described as the transport mode of the future for a number of reasons. As well as improving rail services, promoting the modern image they seek to convey and yielding greater customer satisfaction, high speed trains also play a key role in achieving European integration and helping to create socio-economically balanced societies at world level.

This highly efficient transport mode makes significant demands in terms of investment, technology, industry, the environment and its political and social aspects, and media coverage of these various aspects is often unbalanced. This misinformation affects public opinion as well as technical staff and decision-makers.

It is in this context and in an often tense economic, political and social climate in some countries that managers must take what are in some cases historic decisions regarding transport in general and rail transport in particular.

In order to meet the many requests from its members for comprehensive and unbiased information on the subject, UIC staged a training session on high speed systems in 2010.

Objectives:

• Provide an accurate and comprehensive overview of the high speed system;

• Provide managers with all the information needed to facilitate decision-making on the subject of high speed rail;

• Foster exchanges of experience and information about the latest developments in the field.