Once an incident occurs, infrastructure managers and operators need to gather data quickly to make the best decisions on safety and service restoration. This session will explore how drones can fit into an organisation’s overall incident management strategy and be integrated with other technologies. What is the key to efficient incident management when many stakeholders are involved?

Incidents on the railways are caused by a variety of factors - from the unpredictability of the environment or of people, to the failure of infrastructure or the train itself. This session looked at how sensors and other digital technologies can meet the need for real-time data as part of an efficient safety strategy. How can we predict, prepare for, and hopefully prevent, incidents?

For the railways it is vital to be able to predict risks to supply chains. Identifying and acquiring the most relevant information and communicating it quickly helps adapt operations. The right data about pandemics, extreme weather, developing political, economic or security situations, can keep supply lines open for vital construction, manufacturing, and maintenance.

In a world of uncertainty, supply chains vital to society are under more pressure than ever, whether faced with a global pandemic, natural disasters, or political upheaval. In this session the audience will learn from railway operators, manufacturers, and supply chain solution providers how to strengthen supply chains so they are ready to face external impacts.

The train of the future keeps passengers comfortable, informed, and connected and allows operators to ensure safety, monitor systems, and increase ridership. The train of 2030 is therefore vital to the future of the railways themselves – competitive, attractive, sustainable. The session will look at the technologies and devices that can create a balanced rolling stock ecosystem that benefits everyone.

Disruptions and delays are an inevitable part of the railways, whether it be train breakdowns, trespass, flooding, landslides, or bridge crashes. It is vital to minimise the impact of these incidents to keep passengers safe, allow goods to travel, reduce costs, save time, and comply with safety standards. In this session real-world cases will be shared. What strategies and technologies can facilitate better decisions and efficient operations?

As the climate crisis deepens, governments are committed to moving passengers and freight to rail. Enabling seamless connectivity through new cross-continental timetables is a key part of the EU’s Year of Rail. This session will explore the many benefits of improving international rail services and look at how to plan, test the feasibility of, and implement new timetables.

The most important concern for rail and public transport companies today is to help passengers feel safe and secure. Video surveillance technology and analytics can optimize passenger flows, prevent crowded platforms or trains, and keep passengers informed and comfortable. In this session we will hear how to leverage state-of-the-art technology to regain passenger trust, create new insights and return to pre-pandemic ridership levels.

During the past year, rail has seen passenger numbers fall significantly. Ridership still remains low, even where COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted. It is vital for the recovery and continued resilience of rail that operators can bring passengers back safely. This session will explore how giving passengers the power to make informed decisions could boost confidence and spread demand.

Once the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) is deployed a priority for rail infrastructure managers will be ensuring uninterrupted coverage across their whole network, including in rural areas. FRMCS leaders representing system designers, coordinators, infrastructure owners, and connectivity experts will debate the best ways to fulfil the promise of more data and faster communications.

COVID-19 has accelerated innovation as new problems require new solutions. The rail sector can no longer rely on precedence to plan services and maintenance. Interdepartmental and real-time data management is crucial. Leading rail operators, infrastructure owners and digitalisation experts will present how to thrive through the big data explosion.

Infrastructure owners are now preparing to implement the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS), the sector’s new 5G-enabled standard due to launch in 2025. The rollout of FRMCS will accelerate digitalisation and boost efficiency. Key stakeholders designing, regulating and implementing FRMCS will share their expertise, debating how rail infrastructure managers can maximise its benefits.

This debate heard from operators and technical pioneers who can plot a smooth and safe journey for passengers, from obtaining and validating tickets to boarding trains with peace of mind.

The digital transformation of rail networks increases the threat of cyberattacks against a sector that is already suffering from the impact of the pandemic. In this webinar, rail sector leaders presented case studies on how they are approaching this dilemma, and deploying systems with the optimal level of protection.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect where we can go and how we can interact. Social distancing is most difficult in closed public spaces where people can form crowds. How can we monitor, analyse, predict, and control this flow of people? How can we use data to redesign spaces and services?

The unprecedented level of disruption caused by the pandemic is putting pressure on the railway sector. Operators need to manage their staff, assets and services more efficiently than ever. How can they react with flexibility to new circumstances and dynamic passenger demand and keep costs down?

Social distancing is central to limiting the spread of COVID-19, and to returning travel back to normal. Operators are seeking ways to overcome unprecedented challenges. This session explored digital technologies and strategies that can gently encourage, or ‘nudge’, passengers to maintain social distancing.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, rail is looking for safe ways for passengers to return. But how do we create healthy spaces in stations and in trains? This session looked at solutions and strategies that directly impact the hygiene of rail travel.

The rail sector is currently exposed to the most serious cyber attacks in its history. Evermore data is being shared, more systems are being interlinked, and online footprints are growing wider. This session discusses how to secure critical networks such as control center data and communications.

In Part 2 of the webinar series ‘Rail Baltica: opportunities in Europe’s latest megaproject’, senior Rail Baltica representatives update the audience on the steps being taken to create an economically and environmentally sustainable network, with cutting-edge technology in mind.

The €5.8bn Rail Baltica is one of the largest transport megaprojects being undertaken in the world today. The 870km rail network will integrate the region, now operating on the Russian gauge, with the majority of the EU's standard gauge rail network. Hear an update on the project’s progress, procurement strategies, and technical requirements for suppliers.

What can the EU do at this difficult time to help a struggling sector fulfil its vital role of transporting passengers and goods? In this webinar, senior policymakers at the European Commission and the EU Agency for Railways (ERA) offer clarity, certainty, and support on regulatory measures.

Hear from the European Commission and the International Union of Railways (UIC) on the possible medium- and long-term changes to rail travel, what lessons must be learnt, and what warnings should be heeded.