As in previous years, as part of the activities of the UIC Intercity and High Speed Committee, the 12th edition of the Training on High Speed Systems (THSS 2016, level I) was held in Paris from 18 – 22 April at UIC Headquarters, and was completed by a technical visit on Saturday 24 April.
This year, the technical visit was to the construction of the TGV line from Le Mans – Rennes, thanks to the cooperation between UIC and the Region of Bretagne and the company in charge of the construction, Eiffage.
As in previous editions, this training session 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, with the aim of realising and becoming familiar with all the aspects and implications involving any of these systems.
The 2016 edition was attended by 29 participants from 9 countries, among them 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.
These lectures were given by 49 speakers from 11 countries.
The training session was organised by the UIC Passenger Department team (Beatrix Perrot, Takumi Ishii and Zhangshan-Michael Zhao), under the coordination of Iñaki Barrón, Director of the Passenger and High Speed Department and Coordinator of the Latin American Region.
A second level of the Training on High Speed Systems will be organised in October (dates still to be confirmed) in Madrid, Spain.
