The GSM-R (radio communications system for railways), Asset & Evolution Management Conference organised in partnership with the GSM-R Industry Group (IG) opened this morning in Paris, UIC Headquarters, and will last two days.
Among the 230 participants, stakeholders (from the areas of telecoms, signalling and operation domains, authorities & standardisation bodies), railways & rail transport experts, strategy decision makers, (e.g. EC, ECC, ETSI, 3GPP, Sector) and an international audience were able to learn about GSM-R’s present status, evolution, and strategy for the future.
Mr Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, UIC Director-General, welcomed all the participants to this UIC conference. This is one of the first biggest global conferences organised after the summer break on a very important technical issue for the rail sector.
He underlined in particular that many participants – up to 230 – have joined this conference from the rail sector, from different institutions and from many countries. He also wished to thank the many sponsors who have helped us in the organisation of this special event which in his mind highlights the main role and added value of UIC. UIC as the worldwide association for all rail operators, rail infrastructure managers and rail stakeholders; UIC as the technical platform always at the forefront of innovation and new technologies; and UIC at the service of all its members and many political institutions in need of technical support and technical expertise.
In this respect he particularly welcomed during the morning panel the presence of Isabelle Vandoorne, DG MOVE, of Marcel Verslype, Executive Director of ERA, and of Libor Lochman, Executive Director of CER, the political association for the same European members.
He underlined that the GSM-R adventure started at UIC with the EIRENE project in 1995, and had since developed worldwide and proved to be the right choice for radio communications and a success story ever since. The conference will be organised over two days: today on 10 September, speaking about GSM-R, and tomorrow, 11 September, speaking about GSM-R and life beyond GSM-R, as UIC always has to anticipate the future evolutions of technology for the benefit of the rail sector.
During the sessions and breaks, participants benefitted from a Demonstration of GSM-R Technology & Applications, proving the system maturity, its ease of use and fit for purpose, as well as the very large possibilities for additional applications that can foster railway applications for user satisfaction.
It showed for example the Driver Advisory System and the Railway Emergency Call.
A suppliers’ exhibition was arranged at the same time featuring 15 booths at UIC.
Further information will be available in the next issue of UIC eNews.
