La security , sustainability were the central themes of the first meeting of the European Management Committee (Emc) of the Union Internationale des Chemins de Fer (Uic), held in Berlin and chaired by Stefano Donnarumma, CEO and General Manager of the Fs Italiane Group. This meeting represented an important opportunity for the leaders of the European railway sector to discuss crucial issues concerning the future of mobility. The meeting took place on the eve of InnoTrans, the international reference fair for transport technology, scheduled from 24 to 27 September.
“I am delighted to have chaired the first meeting of the UIC European Management Committee during my presidency, here at InnoTrans in Berlin,” said Donnarumma. “Together with the major European leaders in the sector, we have addressed the main challenges that European rail transport and the broader mobility landscape impose on us: first and foremost the safety of people and therefore of the infrastructures on which citizens move, because there is no development without safeguards. Economic growth can only be achieved if it is guaranteed, at the same time, by economic, financial, social and environmental sustainability. For this reason, we are committed to shaping the future of transport for a zero-carbon world, improving the positioning of rail transport and strengthening its crucial role in sustainable mobility,” concluded the top manager.
The future of rail transport: safety, innovation and accessibility
During the meeting, key issues outlined in the 2024-2025 action plan were addressed. In particular, technologies were discussed Digital Twin, which offer significant advantages in terms of efficiency, cost reduction and maintenance support. These technologies enable the creation of digital models of railway infrastructure, facilitating constant monitoring and improving operational management.
Furthermore, the new initiative linked to the Future Railway Mobile Communication System. Participants discussed the upcoming tests that will be carried out on this innovative technology, which aims to ensure more effective communication between trains and infrastructure. The Morane 2 programme, which involves several players in the sector, will last 30 months, during which the technology will be tested on both conventional and high-speed lines.
The debate also included an update on the Ticketing, with the aim of developing a more integrated and accessible ticketing system by 2025. This plan is designed to meet the needs of passengers and businesses, making it easier to purchase tickets and promoting more seamless mobility within the European Union.