Dresden University and DZSF: New paths for rail transport research!

Dresden University and DZSF: New paths for rail transport research!

The “Friedrich List” Faculty of Transport Sciences at the Technical University of Dresden (TUD) recently signed an important cooperation agreement with the German Center for Rail Transport Research (DZSF). This agreement aims to strengthen research and training in the field of rail transport. The focus is on the joint supervision of doctoral students and the promotion of young scientists in this important sector. tu-dresden.de reports that young researchers studying should benefit from the partners' interdisciplinary expertise and extensive research network.

The agreement places particular emphasis on close cooperation in the supervision of coursework as well as in the placement and support of internships. In addition, specialist lectures and special courses are integrated into the cooperation package. Professor Regine Gerike from TUD emphasizes the great importance of this agreement for the qualification of rail transport experts. Prof. Eckhard Roll, Director of the DZSF, also emphasizes the urgency of supporting young scientists for the future requirements of rail transport.

Strengthening the research infrastructure

A central element of the cooperation is the shared use and development of research infrastructure. This includes facilities such as the Integrated Railway Laboratory, ETCS Laboratories and Cyber ​​Security Laboratory. The partners have agreed to work more closely together in the areas of data collection and data exchange. The aim is to improve applications for third-party funded projects and thus further advance scientific excellence in rail transport.

Research in the field of rail transport is not only focused on national concerns. Intercontinental rail freight transport, especially in the Eurasian region, is becoming increasingly important in the current geopolitical situation. A current study examines the quality of services offered by Eurasian rail freight transport and shows that, despite the efficiency of networks, many current challenges, such as geopolitical conditions, have not yet been adequately addressed. verkehrslage.vkw.tu-dresden.de emphasizes the need for new, standardized performance indicators for evaluation in international rail freight transport.

Research strategies for the future

In the context of rail transport research, the DZSF has initiated a comprehensive research project that started on February 1, 2024 and is scheduled to run until March 31, 2025. This project, coordinated by the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Technology, is funded by the DZSF. The aim is to develop a medium-term research strategy that is tailored to the needs of all relevant players in rail transport. fraunhofer.de states that a Delphi study will be conducted with experts from various fields, including academia, politics and industry.

Over 100 future-oriented research topics have already been identified, covering key aspects such as new technologies, innovation management and sustainability. These topics will be validated through a large-scale survey with over 800 participants, the first results of which will be presented at the 8th Railway Research Workshop on November 14, 2024 in Berlin.