Austrian railway telecommunication expert Kapsch CarrierCom to participate in European rail joint technology initiative SHIFT²RAIL

VIENNA, 14-12-2015 — /EuropaWire/ — The Austrian railway telecommunication expert Kapsch CarrierCom announces its participation in the European rail joint technology initiative SHIFT²RAIL. The EU initiative is focused on research and innovation to accelerate the development of new technologies, products and solutions for railways. Kapsch CarrierCom will contribute its expertise to SHIFT²RAIL’s Innovation Program 2 (IP2) which is focused on Advanced Traffic Management & Control Systems.

Within the IP2, Kapsch will carry out the analysis, specification and implementation of a prototype for an emergency call application for the future railway communication system. The research project is supplemented by innovative approaches which will reduce costs as well as the complexities of system testing and system validation. Kapsch will focus on cyber security with the definition of new processes and structures for the detection and prevention of attacks on railway IT and communication systems: “We join SHIFT²RAIL after a strict selection process as an associated member, and as the only GSM-R supplier within the initiative. We are convinced that we can make an important contribution, through our expertise and many years of experience in the business to make ERTMS future-proof, and lift it to the next level”, states Thomas Schöpf, COO Kapsch CarrierCom. The company has nearly 20 years of experience, and is the world’s leading manufacturer and supplier of end-to-end Railway Dedicated Network (RDN) solutions, providing communication for around 80,000 kilometers of railway tracks across Europe, Africa and Asia.

A major goal of the European rail joint technology initiative is to raise the competitiveness of European solutions and products. ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) received worldwide attention and has become a global standard for railway signaling and control systems – but it still has the potential to offer increased functionalities and secure future competitiveness. Control, command and communication systems should go beyond being only a contributor for the control and safe separation of trains. These systems shall become a flexible, intelligent and real-time traffic management and decision support system. Another substantial challenge for IP2 is to enhance the current system without impacting the ERTMS core and to protect investments in mainline as well as in urban railways.

Technological Demonstration

An important focus in line with the five Innovation Programs is on the demonstration activities, to deliver a quantified impact and provide guidance on the most efficient combinations of technologies. These activities are the lastnon-commercial step to demonstrate the operational performance and reliability of all deliverables from the technology demonstrators (TDs).

SHIFT²RAIL – Maintaining world leadership for EU rail industry

SHIFT²RAIL is a multiannual research program and the first European initiative to seek focused Research and Innovation (R&I) and market-driven solutions by accelerating the integration of new and advanced technologies into innovative rail product solutions. It is a joint effort by the European Rail Industry to enhance the capacity of the European rail system in order to cope with increased passenger and freight demand as a result of green transport efforts and to bring forward the reliability of next generation products and solutions while reducing their life cycle costs. It aims to attract passengers and businesses to rail transport and increase the competitiveness of the European rail industry.

Kapsch CarrierCom is a leading, global producer, supplier and systems integrator of end-to-end telematics and telecommunications solutions. The company offers innovative, business and mission-critical products, technologies and services for rail and urban public transport operators, carrier networks and energy supply companies. Kapsch CarrierCom is a trusted partner to organisations, who benefit from a comprehensive array of professional services and round-the-clock customer service. With nine research and development centres in Europe and Asia, Kapsch CarrierCom is constantly pushing the boundaries of technology. In addition, the company works with an ecosystem of strategic partners to maximise value for clients and help them increase their business success. Kapsch CarrierCom is part of the Kapsch Group and is headquartered in Vienna, Austria.

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Press contact:

Ingrid Lawicka
Spokesperson
Kapsch AG
Am Europlatz 2, 1120 Vienna, Austria
Phone +43 50811 1705
E-mail ingrid.lawicka@kapsch.net

Verena Bibaritsch
Vice President Marketing & Communications Global
Kapsch CarrierCom AG
Lehrbachgasse 11, 1120 Vienna, Austria
Phone +43 50811 3601
E-mail verena.bibaritsch@kapsch.net

SOURCE: Kapsch CarrierCom