Braking or Accelerating? UNIFE Calls for Urgent Action on Europe’s Rail Tech

Europe may hold a global lead in rail technology but it risks losing that edge. With geopolitical risks rising and international competition intensifying, UNIFE Director General Enno Wiebe warns that only bold investment and structural reform will keep the continent’s rail sector competitive and resilient.

In a speech delivered at the beginning of this month, Enno Wiebe, head of the European Rail Industry Association (UNIFE), called for a new institutional framework to succeed the current Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail JU). He urged the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) to include a significantly expanded budget for railway innovation. "These technologies will enhance services for both passengers and freight, improve reliability across Europe’s network, and unlock the potential of cross-border operations," said Wiebe. He added that strategic investment would also strengthen resilience in an era of fragile supply chains.

Research and Innovation plays a key role in boosting the competitiveness of the rail sector and responding to the growing global rail market 📈 and societal demands 🚆

This afternoon, Enno Wiebe, UNIFE’s Director General, was delighted to present Giorgio Travaini, Executive… pic.twitter.com/kPVA8eG80o

— UNIFE The RAIL IND. (@UNIFE) October 8, 2024

Focus on ERTMS, DAC, FRMCS and Automation

At the core of Wiebe’s proposal is a faster and more structured rollout of key rail technologies that Europe has already piloted under Shift2Rail and Europe’s Rail. These include the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), the Digital Automatic Coupler (DAC), the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS), and Automatic Train Operation (ATO).

UNIFE argues that a planned and synchronised integration of these technologies is essential to meet European goals like the Single European Railway Area (SERA) and the TEN-T network. These innovations were highlighted in Mario Draghi’s report on European competitiveness, providing the blueprint for the incoming European Commission.

"We’re the global leader in rail tech—but we must work to stay there," Wiebe stated, pointing to the high standards of safety and quality upheld by EU-based manufacturers and warned that critical infrastructure must remain in European hands. Railway technology, he argued, is not just an economic sector—it’s a strategic asset. In trade terms, the rail industry delivers a positive balance for the EU, contributing directly to European export strength. Wiebe’s message is clear: Europe’s rail sector must transform at the pace of its ambition. To remain a global reference point for railway innovation, the EU must fund, coordinate, and deploy next-generation systems—not in theory, but in practice.

Source: UNIFE; RAILTARGET