Exchange of information, benchmarking, harmonisation, standardisation, technical studies have been one of the most important roles of UIC expert groups, since the fundation of our association. The Pannel of Structural Experts represent a unique technical platform for the experts from most of the European Infrastructure managers, but also from Asian countries, to meet and conduct common exchanges and research activities.
Explore→The Infrastructure Subsystem Sector (ISS) provides the physical layer of the Rail System which, together with the other sectors of the Rail System, ensures a safe and reliable operation.
The Infrastructure Subsystem Sector (ISS) provides the physical layer of the Rail System which, together with the other sectors of the Rail System, ensures a safe and reliable operation. Structures are the most expensive assets of the system. Decisions about infrastructure investments require long processes, where stakeholders must raise consensus and administrations should reserve the required budget in advance. Infrastructure works need exhaustive preparation and their execution take long time. Life cycle of the infrastructure assets is the longest of the railway system assets. Infrastructure is so exposed to climate change that it urgently needs to be adapted to new parameters.
UIC ISS works under the umbrella of two high level groups of experts: the Track Expert Group (TEG) and the Panel of Structural Experts (PoSE). UIC ISS coordinates the ongoing working groups organised in the topics of the sector: infrastructure, track and its elements and the interaction between the different technical subsystems. The common spirit of the groups is to work together with excellence expertise to:
UIC ISS also contributes to the Leaflet migration plan into new IRSs and to revise UIC IRSs and develop new ones. The commitment to revise and update leaflets is being developed by specific groups of experts to provide to the whole rail system with an updated knowledge of technical recommendations and guidelines.
We work throughout structured projects with objectives, planification and foreseen deliverables. The projects are structured in three main pillars:
Pillar 1. Data-driven decision making and automation For both new investments and existing networks, new technologies provide tools to be used at the service of a connected and robust infrastructure system
Pillar 2. Adaptation to Climate Change Unforeseen and uncontrolled events might be studied. The community needs to identify the main causes and measures, to quantify the impacts and to quickly invest in resilient infrastructures. The related projects are:
Pillar 3. Standardisation ISS is committed with the UIC task of updating the technical documents of the sector worldwide and concluding the current migration plan from leaflets to IRSs and systematic annual review. All the IRSs should be focussed on a global level, with regional specifications in the corresponding annexes.
More information on the standardisation activities of UIC at: https://uic.org/standardisation/irs
UIC contact For any further information please contact Rosa Casquero
The TEG works on issues relating to layout, track superstructure design and maintenance strategies/processes and track components.
The group is chaired by Bernhard Knoll of ÖBB (Austria). Kurt Demeersseman of Infrabel (Belgium) performs the role of group secretary. Plenary meetings are usually held in Paris in winter (January/February) each year and are hosted by member railways or infrastructure managers each autumn (September/October).
The TEG is currently working on:
The TEG is responsible for several UIC leaflets under Chapter 7 of the UIC Codex (subsections 70, 71 and 72) or Chapter 8 of UIC Codex (subsection 80), Technical Specifications about track components, as well as new IRSs and those adapted and updated based on UIC leaflets, divided into two different categories: “Design, laying, recommendations for use” and “Maintenance” including, amongst other subjects:
UIC contact For any further information please contact Rosa Casquero
The PoSE deals with topics relating to civil engineering structures (viaducts/bridges, tunnels and earthworks), design and maintenance strategies/processes and aerodynamic effects on such assets.
The panel leverages the expertise of European infrastructure managers. Most European infrastructure managers are currently represented in the panel by structural or civil engineering department heads or specialist engineers.
The group is chaired by Didier Van de Velde of Infrabel (Belgium). Tanguy Lyon Lynch of Infrabel (Belgium) performs the role of group secretary. Its plenary meetings are held in Paris in late January/February each year and are hosted by various member railways in the autumn.
The PoSE is directly responsible for several UIC leaflets under Chapter 7 of the UIC Codex (subsections 70, 71, 77, 78), as well as new IRSs or those adapted and updated from UIC leaflets.
The PoSE’s work focuses mainly on the following areas:
UIC contact For any further information please contact Hugo Patricio
