TU Graz, voestalpine, ÖBB, Siemens Mobility Austria and VIRTUAL VEHICLE pool their railway expertise. The joint establishment of the Research Cluster Railway Systems research initiative marks the start of measures aimed at further enhancing the competitiveness of the railway through sustainable overall optimization.

In the European Year of Rail 2021, Austria’s key players in the rail sector will come together even more closely. Graz University of Technology (TU Graz), voestalpine, ÖBB, Siemens Mobility Austria and VIRTUAL VEHICLE will in future be working closely together on an even more efficient and competitive rail system of the future.
To this end, the partners have founded the Research Cluster Railway Systems (RCRS) research initiative at TU Graz. The spotlight is on rail vehicle technology, rail infrastructure and rail operations in this project, with a focus on synergy potential and on digital transformation. Accredited testing, inspection and simulation facilities are on the agenda at RCRS, as is the interdisciplinary training of the next generation of engineers for tomorrow’s rail technology.

Jost Bernasch, CEO VIRTUAL VEHICLE: “In its railway systems research area, Virtual Vehicle focuses on virtualization and digital operation, and has attracted international attention. Our research focuses on simulation, artificial intelligence and digital twins. With the help of digital twin networks, elementary decision-making bases for the design of chassis and vehicle components can already be created in the development phase. A key driver of this development is also our involvement in Shift2Rail – the first and only European initiative for focused research and development in the field of market-oriented rail solutions. In summary, the Virtual Vehicle, as Europe’s largest research centre for virtual vehicle development, is thus also a central key enabler in the rail sector for sustainable, resilient and green technologies in mobility.”

Read the full press release here.

© Lunghammer – TU Graz