Andrzej Massel, born 1965, graduated from Gdansk University of Technology in 1989, received Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Gdansk University of Technology in 1997 and D.Sc. (habilitation) in Civil Engineering and Transport from Warsaw University of Technology in 2022. Specialist in railway transport, railway infrastructure, railway operation and railway interoperability.
In 2000-2001 he served as the representative of the Pomorskie Voivoidship responsible for organisation of rail regional passenger services.
In 2002-2004 member of AEIF working group drafting the first technical specification of interoperability relating to the subsystem ‘Traffic Operation and Management’ of the trans-European conventional rail system (published as Commission Decision 2006/920/EC).
In 2005 managed the pre-feasibility study for construction of Wroclaw/Poznan – Lodz- Warsaw high speed railway. In 2007-2008, as the project manager, he was responsible for preparation of Master Plan for railway transport in Poland till 2030.
In 2005-2010 deputy Director of Instytut Kolejnictwa (Railway Research Institute) in Warsaw, responsible for research programmes and studies.
In served as 2010-2013 Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure of Poland responsible for railway transport.
Since 2014 deputy Director of Instytut Kolejnictwa (Railway Research Institute) in Warsaw, responsible for research programmes and studies, since April 2022 – Director of the Institute. Since April 2024 member of Supervisory Board of Polish State Railways (PKP S.A.)
Interview
1. How are you personally involved with railway research in your organisation?
Since many years I work in Instytut Kolejnictwa - Railway Research Institute. Our Institute is the research unit subordinated to the Ministry of Infrastructure of Poland. We continue the tradition of the Experimental Division of Ministry of Railways established in 1924. Since 2022 I am a Director of the Institute.
I graduated from the Faculty of Civil Engineering of TU Gdansk. I have also received Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from TU Gdansk and D.Sc. (habitation) in Civil Engineering and Transport from TU Warsaw.
My research activities are focused on design and operation of railway infrastructure and on railway passenger and freight transport.
2. What is your personal involvement in Research and Development activities in your Region?
Good example of my personal research activities is a study of rail infrastructure utilisation in Central-Eastern Europe in the years 1989-2019. The aims of this research were to identify and to explain the changes in functioning of railway infrastructure in selected countries of the region. Moreover, the research was focused on exploration of relations between technical characteristics of infrastructure and effectiveness of its utilisation.
3. What kind of research activities are the priority for research and innovation activities in the future in your region?
We should focus on real needs of railway entities in the region, including train operating companies and infrastructure managers. The railways of Central-Eastern Europe need higher speeds at reasonable cost to compete with other modes of transport: road transport and rail transport. The research and innovation should help to reduce costs of railway services and to enhance their quality.
4. What is your role in IRRB?
Since December 2021 I am a Vice-Chairman of International Rail Research Board. In IRRB I am responsible for WG1. This working group is focused on strategic aspects of railway development and on preparing stategic documents facilitating UIC in promoting the railway transport in the World.
5. What have been the highlights of your involvement with IRRB?
In November 2018 I was strongly involved in organisation of the Global Debate on the Mobility Changes for the Future Society February. This UIC event took place in Warsaw.
In 2019 I participated in elaboration of updated "Global Vision of Railway Development until 2050”. Particular attention was paid to increased to digitalization and to the directions of technological breakthroughs necessary for the growth of the strategic competitiveness of railways in future.
6. What is your opinion on the priorities for IRRB activities in the next term (2026 – 2028)?
Defining the priorities for IRRB we should take in account asymmetry in the level of railway development across the World. We should realistic and we need to adjust long- and mid-term goals to capabilities of railways. We also need to develop the technical solutions well suited to the local needs, habits. Finally, we need to reflect the regional differences in the global approach.
7. How do you think that IRRB can be more inclusive in relation to increasing membership and representing the Regions?
In my perception IRRB is well balanced representation of continents. We should make the best possible use of knowledge accumulated in the UIC regions. Therefore, we should stress on involvement of regional competence hubs and academic champions from all the regions.
8. What do you think new members can gain from being a member of IRRB?
Participation in common research and innovation activities, especially in the framework of International Rail Research Board, is very productive and effective way to improve operation of railways in various countries and regions. It helps to share the best practices and to avoid duplication of effort.
