Amid a rail renaissance in Australia, a group of industry leaders are off to Europe for a study tour and trade show.
The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) is leading a group visit by 30 rail leaders to London and Paris this week.
The visit will precede the international InnoTrans (an international trade show for transport technology), which opens in Berlin on Tuesday, September 24.
According to an ARA statement, the visit will give Australian rail organisations a chance to learn from global leaders on topics such as interoperability, high-speed rail, sustainability, infrastructure development and operations.
ARA CEO Caroline Wilkie said the study tour is also a chance for Australian and UK rail suppliers to explore export opportunities in the European market.
“With Australia undergoing an unprecedented $155 billion of rail infrastructure investment, this is a very valuable opportunity for local rail organisations to share experiences and hear first-hand from European counterparts about the successes and challenges in building and modernising major rail networks,” she says.
“The study tour will include visits to significant rail sites such as … the Elizabeth line in London as well as (the) … driverless metro line Paris, and a briefing on lessons learned during the recent Olympics and Paralympics.”
Ms Wilkie points out that “Australia is enjoying a renaissance of rail” with new light rail projects in the major cities, high-speed rail back on the agenda and projects like the Sydney Metro and Suburban Rail Loop in Melbourne.
“This study tour is part of the ARA’s mission to drive collaboration with industry and government to build capability, support innovation and foster a sustainable and resilient rail industry,” she says.
In London, the group will be briefed by Siemens and tour Kings Cross and St Pancras stations. They will also attend talks on UK rail research and innovation.
In Paris, the group will receive a joint presentation on lessons from the recent Paris Olympics and Paralympics, (RER), receive a briefing on that country’s 2012-2025 major modernisation program and tour an operating control room.
They will also visit the Paris Metro Line 14 (driverless metro) for a briefing on its extension and modernisation.
After the tour, the ARA will lead an Australian trade delegation of more than 160 representatives to the InnoTrans show in Germany.
