UIC played an active role in the first International Rail Congress jointly organised with RZD and OEBB in Vienna.

This important event attracted over 500 senior rail managers from all over the world.
It facilitated debate on the most important issues such as Digital Developments, Infrastructure, Asset Management and Standardisation.

Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, UIC Director General, opened the congress with a keynote speech, during which he underlined the need to shift from mobility to access. Rail has faced several revolutions and the fourth one – the Digital Revolution – is currently taking place. Rail has to address various issues such as IoT, Big Data, AI (Artificial Intelligence). Jean-Pierre Loubinoux stressed the importance of maintaining human intelligence above AI.

Francis Bédel, UIC Chief Digital Officer, pointed out the important challenges that rail has to face and how Digital can help. He presented UIC’s projects and among them the DIGIM II programme with the Connected Level-Crossing project and the design of a demonstrator for blockchain on long distance freight corridors.

Simon Fletcher underlined the importance of harmonisation which is UIC’s core mission.
The development of Proofs of Concept (PoCs) should enable the delivery of specifications and in a final stage, the publication of International Railway solutions (IRS).

At the end of the event, Oleg Belozerov, CEO RZD JC, presented Jean-Pierre Loubinoux with a specific distinction, the Honour Medal of Russian Railways, as a special tribute to his career dedicated to the promotion of rail development throughout the world.