Research and Innovation

Research, together with standardisation and promotion of railways, is regarded as one of UIC’s core business activities. UIC is committed to supporting the efforts of its members to resolve current and future operational issues and problems in order to build better railways. The long-standing cooperation between UIC and its members is characterised by constant exchange of information based on the results of research projects (conducted by our members, leading rail research institutes and academia), benchmarking and studies and research, development and innovation, as well as the development of common standards.

The UIC research portal is intended to play a crucial role in facilitating this process. This portal collects and maintains information from numerous global sources. Its primary purpose is to build on information shared by our members and research institutes and by industry-leading research providers used and recommended by our members, as well as data obtained by linking up globally with other rail research databases.

Research ranges from gathering information and best practice to developing new knowledge and demonstrating the feasibility of study results. Research may be carried out through internal UIC projects and by taking part in external projects such as those funded by the European Commission’s Framework Programme for Research (also open to non-EU-based UIC members). Such projects include the FP7 and Horizon Europe projects.

UIC plays an important coordination role for the global railway operating community (ROC) in terms of research and innovation. The International Rail Research Board (IRRB) is a working body supporting members at global level, while the Research and Innovation Coordination Group (RICG) provides member support at European level.

The IRRB (International Rail Research Board).
The objective of the IRRB is to effectively and efficiently promote the research and development activities conducted independently by UIC members and member railway research organisations (research institutions) worldwide so that they can contribute to railway development around the world. The IRRB also informs research institutions of the research needs and activities of each of the UIC working bodies, such as the Rail System Forum, Passenger Forum, Freight Forum and Platforms, and discusses common regional research needs and priorities. If R&D in these areas is not being conducted at UIC, the IRRB may put forward proposals to begin R&D activities or to engage in common benchmarking and research if common member priorities are identified. The IRRB works on all aspects of the railway system on a cross-sectoral basis.

The RICG (Research and Innovation Coordination Group), chaired by Mr Bo Olsson of Trafikverket with Mr Jürgen Maier (BLS) and Ms Karin Biffiger (SBB) as vice-chairs, is UIC’s second research-focussed working body, mainly supporting European UIC members. It is tasked with coordination of members’ research efforts, preparing common positions on European research and innovation strategy and priorities for EU funding and defending UIC members’ vision at ERRAC (European Rail Research Advisory Council to the European Commission). The RICG also has a role in facilitating member participation in EU-funded research projects, either through UIC services or directly.

At ERRAC level, UIC assumed secretariat duties in 2018 with a mandate for three years. In liaison with the European members and the RICG, the new Secretary supports the work of ERRAC, notably the implementation of its new Rail 2050 Vision and the definition of research and innovation priorities for the next decade (to 2030) in pursuit of this vision.

UIC also contributes to the organisation of the WCRR (World Congress on Rail Research) every two years, gathering the global rail research and innovation community around a theme to debate and exchange on the latest developments in the sector and beyond. The next edition of the event, with "Reshaping our railways post pandemic: Research with an impact” as the guided theme will take place in Birmingham, UK, from 6 to 10 June 2022.

In addition, the IRRB and UIC organise innovation awards every two years to promote the railway sector and stimulate the creativity of its researchers and engineers in addressing the challenges inherent in the sector in order to develop solutions that will lead to the train becoming the backbone of future transport systems.