Following a tradition that has been running for the last nine years, and in the frame of the UIC Intercity and High Speed Committee, the 2013 edition of the Training Session on High Speed (THSS 2013) took place in Paris from 3 to 7 June, at UIC Headquarters and subsequently at “Challenger”, Bouygues Headquarters, and the “Château du Val”, near Saint Germain en Laye. This year’s session included a technical visit to the TGV maintenance facilities in Landy.
This Training examines the two main principles of High Speed Rail as a complex system and looks at the many different approaches of this innovative transport system by establishing a view of its development across the world.
This event is becoming increasingly important for decision-makers and all those professionally involved in high speed rail projects to be familiar with all the aspects and implications thereof in order that they may take or propose objective decisions on transport development.
The session is targeted at managers in decision-making positions in the transport sector in general, and in the railways in particular, whether working for railway companies or for ministries, local authorities, universities, advisory bodies, agencies or associations.
Over the five days, the lectures examined all the elements that make up high speed systems (as well as all the different types of systems included in this category), and gauged their impact impartially and objectively from a technical, economic, political and social standpoint.
Just as in previous years, 40 speakers from 11 countries exchanged knowledge and experience with 35 students from 13 countries (Australia, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, UK, Thailand, Japan, China, Belgium…)
The final day of the training was held at the “Château du Val”, the hunting pavilion of the Château of Saint Germain en Laye and the birth place of Louis XIV, and owned today by the Association of the Legion d’Honneur”, in conjunction with the end of the annual workshop of the UIC Board of Directors.
The Training, organised by the UIC Passenger Department team, under the coordination of Iñaki Barrón, Director of the Passenger and High Speed Department, was concluded by UIC Director General Jean-Pierre Loubinoux. The final session was followed by a friendship lunch in the gala dinner room of the palace.
