01_Uvodni_Slovo_en.qxd

5.9.2023

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rail transport l introductory word

Railway industry companies

are stable drivers

of the Czech economy

The ACRI – Association of Czech Railway

Industry brings together 50 companies

that generate a turnover of CZK 121 billion, half of which is for export, and employ

about 21,000 people. The stability of

companies operating in the railway industry is based on innovative products

and services with high added value, which

are competitive thanks to investments in

new production technologies.

Rail is the least polluting public transport

system, accounting for 0.5% of total transport-related pollution by CO2 emissions.

The decarbonisation of transport logically

depends on increasing the share of railways in the transport market. Rail should

clearly become the cornerstone of all national transport strategies with an emphasis

on ecology and sustainability. This also

stems from the basic objectives of the

Green Deal and its sub-strategies. This is

a fantastic opportunity for the development of rail and thus for the railway industry in general. Investments in this area of repair should certainly be at the forefront in

the Czech Republic as well. It is an opportunity to modernise passenger transport in

our country by leaps and bounds on rail as

well as public transport. Transport would

thus attract more passengers and help increase the share of zero-emission transport at the expense of emissions transport in order to move closer to meeting

the established targets.

There are many new innovations ahead

for rail transport. A strong emphasis is laid

on autonomy, which will bring further cost

savings for the carrier. Modern trains are

already equipped with certain autonomous transport features that help reduce

consumption by setting the optimal speed

for the selected route. Nevertheless, full

train autonomy is a marathon, not a sprint.

Many important aspects need to be addressed. In general, the digitalisation of

railways is the key issue.

The use of hybrid trains for non-electrified lines helps reduce the carbon footprint

of transport by gradually replacing ecounfriendly diesel units. In addition, lower

vehicle weight and high-performance regenerative electrodynamic braking reduce energy demands. AŽD Praha, a supplier of signalling and communication

equipment for railways, is preparing testing on test polygons of a system intended

for regional trains that will run on lines without drivers. A number of member companies supply components for high-speed

trains, such as panel computers by AMiT,

seats by BORCAD for first class, wheelsets

by Bonatrans, gearboxes by Voith in Brno

and complete traction equipment for trains with speeds above 250 km/h by Škoda Electric. The broad gauge rails made by

Třinec Ironworks are used for the construction of high-speed railway lines.

OLTIS Group offers complex and highly

flexible information systems with many

components for use in transport, forwarding and logistics.

To increase the attractiveness of rail transport, continuous modernisation of vehicles, electrification of lines, construction of

high-speed lines and building new urban

rail connections need to be implemented.

Marie Vopálenská, Managing Director of ACRI

Association of Czech Railway Industry

Pobřežní 224/20, Praha 8

vopalenska@acri.cz o www.acri.cz

www.technikaatrh.cz

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