Parallel sessions

1.A Station design 1

How the station fits into the design of the city is one of the issues. Railway stations worldwide are assuming the role of urban centres. More than just relevant for transport purposes, stations are developing into attractive hubs that stimulate the socio-economic fabric of the city. Urban planning must be able to integrate the station’s functions, including new ones. The city’s master plan for urban mobility matter must also be questioned. Is the intensive use of the private car still the most appropriate model? How can these conventional mobilities be replaced by the Transit Oriented Development concept while being more efficient and less costly for the city and its citizens? What is the stakeholders’ management approach in this regard?

1.B Sustainability

The railway stations must be able to provide more solutions than it already provides. Today’s major challenge is to how to apply the challenges of sustainable development goals to the operation of stations. Green solutions in terms of energy management, infrastructure life cycle, green procurement, social role and resilience will determine the future of stations.

2.A Smart solutions for stations

Held in Madrid, the 2017 UIC nextstation conference addressed best practices for smart stations in smart cities. With the emergence of new challenges in railway station management, the Internet of Things (IoT) is delivering smart solutions to enhance the passenger experience. Digitalisation is driving digital transformation in stations. Data is being gathered ever more securely and efficiently in stations worldwide, and smart data management may be the key to reinforcing the railway station as a central facet of citizens’ daily lives.

2.B Services & Commercial activities

While rail is an excellent mode of transport for both short and long journeys, there is benefit to be had from exploring new in-station functionalities. The station plays a central role not only because of its central location in the mobility chain, but also in terms of customers’ and citizens’ commercial and service requirements. The efficiency of rail transport must be complemented by efficiency of time spent in the station. It is important to identify ways to make the station more useful not only for passengers and commuters but also for tourists. Let us not forget that stations in rural areas and small stations also have a very important role to place in relation to the social structure of cities. Stakeholders must work together to identify and develop future opportunities in this respect.

3.A Station design 2

The emergence of Building Information Modelling (BIM) for construction of new railway stations brings with it the prospect of greater efficiency in project delivery and asset management. Another useful tool is the Building Management System (BMS). The Digitalisation will be used extensively to manage construction in the future, but it is important not to lose sight of the need to adapt this new way of technology to local architectural identity and historical heritage. Stations must be designed, to be more resilient and to adapt to changing circumstances, particularly with regard to climate change.

3.B Mobility, accessibility & door 2 door solutions

With the rise of sustainable mobility, new means of mobility and e-mobility are taking the lead in the development of environmentally-friendly vehicles. However, new modes of transport such as shared mobility and micro/slow mobility are becoming increasingly popular among urban citizens, representing a clear shift towards mobility as a service – the MaaS model. As patterns of intermodal passenger transport continue to evolve, the station is fast becoming a crucial centre for integrated intermobility. Implementation of a co-design framework between cities and railways for Door-to-Door projects is therefore important in order to secure accessibility, flexibility and universality.

4.A Safety & security

Stations are not only a gateway to the rail system; they are also centres of mobility and are lively and popular meeting places. They are “calling cards” for cities and, increasingly, offer urban retail and service facilities across a balanced range of industries. Nevertheless, given the challenges posed by the increasing complexity of railway stations, the need for a comprehensive station management approach becomes all the more important in order to provide a great experience for customers in a safe and secure environment, even in crowded situations. Which are the policies that need to be developed to ensure that the stations of the future can meet these challenges?

4.B Station management & financing

This parallel session is intended to be free and open to all to facilitate any discussions that may compliment the other sessions. In particular, financial analysis is very important for UIC members. Infrastructure development is increasingly wide-ranging and complex, resulting in higher construction costs. New financing methods must therefore emerge in order to meet these needs. All additional topics are welcome and will be subject to further analysis by the UIC scientific committee, which will give its decision as soon as possible after the submission.