Security is a priority for many railways in their business strategies but it
is also a priority for society. Tragic recent events in several regions of the world have reminded us that establishments with high public profiles are vulnerable to terrorist attack. The need to address this particular topic with all relevant partners in the railway sector has been clearly demonstrated.
In addition, the impressive development of high speed rail systems around the world, with their distinct approach to quality of service, sustainability, high mobility and level of investment, warrants particular attention to guarantee basic security requirements for users and railway employees. The high capacity offered by high speed systems and their connections to other railway systems (and mass transport modes in general) make the same particular attention necessary in stations and other strategic network points, even if these are not strictly speaking related to high speed.
UIC is naturally very aware of these issues and is also determined to satisfy the needs and requirements of its members on a global scale. This is why the first workshop on “High Speed, Safety and Security” was organised in cooperation with Moroccan Railways, ONCF and, after important preliminary activity and contact, was held in March 2009, in Marrakech.
Following the success of this 2009 workshop, it has been decided that a second workshop on “High Speed, Safety and Security” shall be organised in cooperation with Indian Railways (IR) and the UIC Asian Regional Assembly. This will take the form of a seminar to be held on 20-21 October 2010 in Mumbai, India.
The main theme of the seminar will be “How can conventional and high speed train systems continue to be the safest mode of transport?”
Topics will include:
- General overview on railway security and safety
- High speed system requirements (including differences to conventional lines, operation,
- financing with local, regional, national and international funding and by PPPs, cost
- structures, investment issues, and relationships with authorities/governments)
- On-track security and issues specific to high speed: tunnels, training, homologation, maintenance, etc.
Speakers will come from the global community of UIC members (from railway undertakings in Spain, Japan, Korea, India, France, etc.) as well as from institutional partners, including international organisations, governmental agencies, industries and consultants.
Conclusions from this important event will be presented at the 7th World Congress on High Speed Rail (UIC Highspeed 2010: http://www.uic-highspeed2010.com.cn/) which will be held in Beijing, on 7-9 December 2010.
