InnoTrans 2024: UNIFE Unveiled Rail Industry’s Future with Focus on ERTMS, FRMCS, and Diversity

The European Rail Supply Industry was showcased at InnoTrans 2024 last week, as an industry and mode of transport transforming itself and the way European passengers and freight move across the continent.

UNIFE Director General Enno Wiebe thanked organizers and thousands of attendees who showed keen interest in UNIFE’s activity and offering at InnoTrans 2024, which outlined the numerous innovative and technological frontiers the industry is driving. 

The programme focused on the industry's future by hosting several key events on rail Cybersecurity, ERTMS, and the Future Rail Mobile Communications System (FRMCS). Furthermore, UNIFE spotlighted inclusivity and the role of women, as the industry diversifies and reflects the wider public. 

UNIFE successfully unveiled the 10th edition of its World Rail Market Study, detailing the positive horizon the sector is working towards, with a detailed forecast suggesting the global market is expected to grow by 3% annually in real terms for the rest of the decade. By the end of this period, the average market size is expected to expand to €240.8 bn. In the face of rising geopolitical tensions, the global rail supply market took advantage of growing transport demand and the ongoing green transition, booming to an average annual volume of €201.8 bn, which is up from €176.5 bn as recorded in the 9th edition of the World Rail Market Study in 2022. The new study outlined the rail supply industry grew annually by 2.7% between 2021 and 2023.

At UNIFE’s stand, many attendees also had the opportunity to engage in Virtual Reality with key rail applications, provided by some of UNIFE’s members such as Alstom Lucchini RS, Tesmec, and Plasser & Theurer. The virtual exhibition space was customized for InnoTrans 2024, giving participants an immersive environment, such as engaging with a 3D model of an Alstom TRAXX locomotive. 

During the five-day extravaganza, UNIFE was also busy holding court with several international delegations such as the US Federal Railroad Administration, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the Railway Supply Institute (RSI), the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretariat General, and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to ensure the industry is building ties in the face of challenging geopolitical headwinds. Key issues from the meetings included the discussion of regulatory standards, the deployment of key technologies, and the strong need for future investment in rail. 

Elsewhere, the industry and broader sector continue to focus on the key elements of digitalization transforming the industry and rail operations, the twin issues of Cybersecurity and FRMCS loomed large over the programme.

On Cybersecurity, UNIFE hosted a session on the topic, with several vital takeaways, such as ensuring policymakers were aware of the scope of the challenge in protecting railway assets, and ensuring stakeholders are working together to minimize the threat posed by malicious actors.   

It comes as UNIFE continues to champion the ERTMS roll-out, focusing in particular on the transition to FRMCS, which must take place as the existing radio communication GSM-R technology is being phased out. UNIFE hosted a dedicated Political & Technical Dialogue Forum and numerous sessions at the stand, enabling a discussion around the importance of standardizing and harmonizing technical regulations, while also outlining the need for future investment to keep the program’s rollout on track. 

As part of these efforts, a joint declaration was signed by the ERTMS Stakeholder Platform Board ensuring coordination, alignment, and promotion of the deployment and implementation of ERTMS, to create a Single European Railway Area. 
As quality is a key driver for the European economy, and to expand and maintain productivity advantages, UNIFE put IRIS Certification in the spotlight. Being a global system for enabling the rail sector to benefit from a strong and recognized evaluation method, UNIFE gave an inside view into the IRIS program and showcased the value it brings to the companies that engage in quality certification.

The next frontier for rail transformation was discussed by key European stakeholders – the Western Balkans. As part of InnoTrans 2024 proceedings, UNIFE hosted a dedicated session on the Western Balkans and its potential integration into the TEN-T network. The session fostered subsequent discussions and relevant parties meeting on the issue, as the sector turns to potentially developing modernized rail infrastructure in the Western Balkans. 

Celebrating excellence across the sector and industry is also a key part of InnoTrans, which is why UNIFE congratulates the winners of the Women in Rail Award 2024. Metro Istanbul was awarded in the Women Empowerment Award category, while Maria-Luisa Dominguez from ADIF took out the Leadership and Mentoring Award, and Veronic Elena Bocci from DICTEFER clinched the Research and Innovation award. 

These awards took place concurrently with the UNIFE SMEs Award, which saw wins from Gillet Tools in the category of Innovation for the dynamic MOVE-IT RC product, while Prolan won in the category of Corporate Social Responsibility for its various acts of charity and support for communities within Hungary.

These awards are vital in showcasing not only those driving a transformation of the rail supply industry but also those responsible for and driving emerging trends across the rail sector. With an overall 170,000 visitors from 133 countries to the event, UNIFE believes InnoTrans 2024 was a successful endeavor, connecting with hundreds of future partners on emerging opportunities in the rail supply industry.

Quotes attributable to UNIFE Director General Enno Wiebe
“We are at the center of change in every facet of the industry – the technology we use, the skills our workforce needs, and the way we sell our products to the world. We have spent this last week discussing and plotting the best path to keep the rail supply sector growing and on top.” 

“We have had fruitful discussions on trade with international delegations, and moved along the agenda of ERTMS and FRMCS, while also showcasing the strategic and technological directions we are taking next. As the World Rail Market Study confirmed – rail is on a mission to transform itself and the wider world.”

“InnoTrans continues to be an exciting place to build relationships, reaffirm directions, and share ideas. I want to thank everyone involved in organizing the event, who visited our stand and attended our sessions.”

Source: UNIFE Press Releases