ACRI, Marie Vopálenská: Introductory word
Marie Vopálenská, ACRI: introductory word to Rail Transport 2023
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 billi-
on, half of which is for export, and employ
about 21,000 people. The stability of
companies operating in the railway in-
dustry 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 tran-
sport-related pollution by CO2 emissions.
The decarbonisation of transport logically
depends on increasing the share of rail-
ways in the transport market. Rail should
clearly become the cornerstone of all nati-
onal 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 develop-
ment of rail and thus for the railway indust-
ry in general. Investments in this area of re-
pair should certainly be at the forefront in
the Czech Republic as well. It is an oppor-
tunity 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 inc-
rease the share of zero-emission tran-
sport at the expense of emissions tran-
sport 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 autono-
mous 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 ad-
dressed. In general, the digitalisation of
railways is the key issue.
The use of hybrid trains for non-electrifi-
ed lines helps reduce the carbon footprint
of transport by gradually replacing eco-
unfriendly diesel units. In addition, lower
vehicle weight and high-performance re-
generative electrodynamic braking redu-
ce energy demands. AŽD Praha, a suppli-
er of signalling and communication
equipment for railways, is preparing tes-
ting on test polygons of a system intended
for regional trains that will run on lines wit-
hout drivers. A number of member com-
panies 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 tra-
ins with speeds above 250 km/h by Ško-
da Electric. The broad gauge rails made by
Třinec Ironworks are used for the con-
struction of high-speed railway lines.
OLTIS Group offers complex and highly
flexible information systems with many
components for use in transport, forwar-
ding and logistics.
To increase the attractiveness of rail tran-
sport, continuous modernisation of vehic-
les, electrification of lines, construction of
high-speed lines and building new urban
rail connections need to be implemented.
www.technikaatrh.cz
rail transport
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introductory word
1
Marie Vopálenská, Managing Director of ACRI
Association of Czech Railway Industry
Pobřežní 224/20, Praha 8
vopalenska@acri.cz o www.acri.cz
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