Programme

8:00

Registration

8:55

Ben Holliday | Managing Director | Rotaia Media (Organiser) & Daniel MacGregor | Co-Founder | Nexxiot (Chairman)

Welcome Address

9:00

Jasmin Bigdon | CTO | Deutsche Bahn

Transforming Rail with IoT and Big Data: A Technical Perspective

• Challenges the rail sector faces (e.g. operational performance, economic pressure)
• Opportunities for technical innovation in the railway industry
• Three unexpected examples for the usage of IoT and Big Data in the rail industry

9:15

Aleksandr Zaitsev | Head of Digital Transformation & Innovation Department | Estonian Railways

Implementing Field Service Management in Estonian Railways: Project Goals, Challenges, and Progress

• Preparation and analysis
• Master data and its challenges
• MVP and active development phase

9:30

Dr. Uwe Jasnoch | Director EMEA for GTD | Hexagon & Arjen Kimmel | Senior Pre-Sales Solution Consultant | Hexagon Asset Lifecycle Intelligence

Gaining the edge: linking digital twins with enterprise asset management

• What makes a Digital Twin for Rail Infrastructure special
• What information of a Digital Twin is relevant for enterprise asset management – and vice versa
• How to improve your Asset Performance by using Hexagon’s technology

9:45

Maria Pinheiro | Head of Asset Management Development | Infraestruturas de Portugal

Journey for intelligent asset management

• Infraestruturas de Portugal vision for digital asset management
• The importance of establishing a Data Governance Model
• Current challenges and insights

10:00

Anthony Ashbrook | CEO | Machines with Vision

Using AI and AR for game-changing navigation of workers and vehicles on track, delivering new levels of safety and efficiency for inspection and maintenance

• Game changing navigation for track workers based on AI and AR
• How Fault Navigator is improving safety and productivity of ultrasonic testers in the UK
• A glimpse into the future of autonomous inspection and maintenance

10:15

Railway Operators Panel Discussion

Providing data and predictive analytics to operator’s mends breaks within that specific piece of the chain. If one part of the chain moves fluidly, then the potential for the entire chain to move fluidly is a lot higher.

• What needs to happen to create an information-sharing program that would encourage all stake holders to share data with each other in order to combat supply chain disruptions and delays?
• One key to advancing sustainable transportation is to digitally increase the capacity of rail systems with less resources. How can rail operators, maintainers and asset owners achieve this to enhance operations and improve maintenance?
• How would the industry benefit from having open ecosystem for rail systems that includes customers and partners with the overall goal of integrating all assets?

Panellists:

• Cord Gatzka | Head of Railway Technology & Analytics | Deutsche Bahn
• Redouane Amti | Head of Maintenance Management | NS
• David Shannon | General Manager | RailPulse
• Martin Runge | Global Head of Digital Services | Siemens Mobility Customer Services
• Matthaeus Decker | Head of Global Railway | SKF
• Manuel Simon | Sales Director | Cemit

10:45

Morning Refreshments in the Networking & Exhibition Area

11:15

David Shannon | General Manager | RailPulse

Using railcar telemetry to improve north American freight rail service

• Collaboration across stakeholders is key to success in complex North American rail freight network
• There is no single silver bullet - stacking value is critical to broad adoption
• Fostering innovation through focus on outcomes and data standard vs technical specifications

11:30

Maximilian Eichhorn | CEO | Nexxiot

Asset Intelligence for Improved Efficiency, Safety and Sustainability in Rail

• Tangible value is delivered from real-time data
• What’s next for Asset Intelligence?

11:45

Maria Antonietta Zocco | CTO | Mercitalia Intermodal (Polo Logistica, FS Group)

Advancing Rail Freight with IoT: Innovations and Impact

• Real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance for enhanced safety
• Leveraging self-powered and wireless IoT solutions
• Optimizing asset lifecycle and operational efficiency

12:00

Robin Antoine | Product Manager | Vossloh Rail Services

Smart High-Speed Grinding: on board inspection for next level maintenance optimization

• Train based rail inspection: latest developments at Vossloh
• Visualization of large-scale rail condition datasets and anticipating rail defects
• How Simulation of rail maintenance shifts improve efficiency

12:15

Annette Kvist | Director IT Development, Train Operations | DSB

Innovate to Elevate Rail in Denmark

• Leveraging AI for Operational Excellence: Explore how DSB is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to improve overall operational efficiency
• Success stories using data from IoT devices, AI algorithms, generative AI and integration to existing application architecture
• Driving Innovation and avoid getting lost in an endless maze of POC’s

12:30

Ivan Rochford | Digital Train Manager | SKF

Small components – big data – great impact

• Technology and data automation
• Bearing lifecycle and environmental context
• Practical examples

12:45

Lunch in the Networking & Exhibition Area

13:45

Stephen Warner | Head of Business Intelligence | Arriva UK

Centralised V localised Business intelligence. Is there a way of having the benefits of both without the downsides

• The challenges and the opportunities
• What do our customers need from a business intelligence team / platform
• Arriva’s approach

14:00

Benjamin Krause | System Architect Driver Advisory Systems | Knorr-Bremse Rail Vehicle Systems

Leveraging multiple data sources to provide best in class energy efficient rail operations

• A success story: the driver advisory system LEADER of Knorr-Bremse goes “connected”
• How traffic, track and train model data are used to optimize our customers´ freight train operations
• Discover chances and risks of future DAS products

14:15

Chris Stanley | Head of Asset Data | Network Rail

Tracks & Bytes: Unleashing the Power of Data Sharing for the Railway Industry

• The rationale behind Network Rail’s adoption of data-sharing practices
• Potential benefits for the industry and passengers through enhanced data sharing
• Strategies for fostering engagement within your organization

14:30

Christoph Schulze | S-VP Data Innovation | voestalpine Digital Track Management

Effective usage of data intelligence in railway infrastructure maintenance

• Challenges of supporting infrastructure maintenance by means of data intelligence
• The importance of process integration or “Nobody wants data!”
• Our holistic approach of using data, analytics and AI in maintenance

14:45

Redouane Amti | Head of Maintenance Management | NS (Dutch Railways) & Benedict Houben | Head of Digital Maintenance Value Stream | NS (Dutch Railways)

An insight in data driven maintenance within Dutch Railways

• Several use cases of how real time monitoring and AI helps in improving performance
• How IT supports daily operations in planning recovery of trains at the right moment, place and capabilities
• Challenges when implementing new technologies

15:00

Pedro Conceição | Head of Product Management | Nomad Digital & Nenad Mijatovic | Chief AI & Data Scientist | Alstom

How we can use AI to enhance the passenger experience and our fleet management capabilities

• What is AI and how can it help
• ‘Real world’ examples
• What lessons have we learned so far

15:15

Vitali Rjasanzew-Frey | Technical Lead AI Vision Systems | DB Cargo & Elisa Sengle | Product Owner AI Vision Solutions | DB Cargo

From Manual Checks to AI Insights: Transforming Freight Wagon Maintenance and Operations

• AI-Powered Inspection: Detecting wagon defects and monitoring loads using advanced computer vision models
• From Tracks to Screens: Digitalizing wagon checks with AI to reduce manual inspections, centralize monitoring, and improve operational efficiency
• Real-World Impact & Future Vision: Live use cases, business value, and the next step—an AI co-pilot for predictive maintenance and smarter logistics

15:30

Afternoon Refreshments in the Networking & Exhibition Area

16:00

Francis Vander Ghinst | Sales Director | Railnova

Empowering Rail Operators with Data Sovereignty: Unlocking Independence and Control in Fleet Operations

• Data Sovereignty & Independence
• Empowering Fleet Performance
• Real-World Application

16:15

Dr. Malte Bieler | Head of Data & Insight Railway Infrastructure | Bane NOR

Strategic use of data for smarter and safer railway transportation

• Becoming a data forward organization in the transportation sector
• Using data capabilities to unlock the value of data products for improving infrastructure maintenance
• Practical example: Using sensors and AI for improving infrastructure maintenance

16:30

Gerhard Paal | Head of Digital Services Sales | Siemens Mobility Customer Services

Maintenance Execution and Operation Support enabled by Railigent X

• The power of choice for maintenance optimization, automation and operations support
• Combing the real and digital worlds for superior operation support and maintenance execution
• Railigent X applications support essential tasks and workflows in maintenance – perfectly interlinked with operations

16:45

Frederic Henon | Director Freight, Operations & Safety | UIC

The DAC related necessity for a future “Central Instance”

• Monitoring Software versions of DAC
• IT Architecture and Data Exchange
• Governance and Organisation

17:00

Drinks Reception Sponsor

Jarek Rosinski | CEO & Founder | Transmission Dynamics & Jenny Hudson | Managing Director | Transmission Dynamics

Intelligent Railway Systems: How AI is Powering Trains with Brains®

• Transforming OLE monitoring with real-time AI insights
• Smart solutions for track monitoring, including points and crossings
• Enhancing rolling stock and freight performance with AI analytics

17:10

Infrastructure Manager Panel Discussion

Intelligent Infrastructure Programmes are now key to future performance improvements achieved through new digital and innovative technologies.

• However, how do we create better centralised databases which gives teams more transparency to the data to plan what, where and when to act?
• What are the challenges in sharing ‘prime’ data; the data that can be trusted to offer users actionable insights? What barriers need to be broken to achieve this?
• Having disparate systems and parties who are responsible for different parts of the infrastructure network (from switches and heating systems) is arguable a very fragmented approach which may lead to inefficiencies. How do we create a single, scalable system that gives real-time access of all data to all users to offer valuable operational insight?

Panellists:

• Chris Stanley | Head of Asset Data | Network Rail
• Maria Pinheiro | Direct Lead of Asset Information | Infraestruturas de Portugal
• Malte Bieler | Head of Data & Insight Railway Infrastructure | Bane NOR
• Dr. Uwe Jasnoch | Director EMEA for GTD | Hexagon
• Krzysztof Wilczek | Head of Track Analytics | Plasser & Theurer
• Simon Giovanazzi | CEO | infraView GmbH, Part of DB E.C.O. Group

17:40

Chairman’s Closing Comments

17:45

Drinks Reception in the Networking & Exhibition Area

18:45

Networking Gala Dinner in the Conference Hall

20:45

End of Day 1

9:00

Dr Christiane Ziegler | Head of Innovation Strategy and Business Model Development | DB InfraGo

Condition-based maintenance and planting an apple tree

• Risk based approaches indicate the best seed in data-driven maintenance of assets
• How to grow CBM when technology is analogue? – the case of signal boxes
• Harvesting by combining automatisation of inspections

9:15

Dr Jonathan Birch | Technical Director | Instrumentel

Realising the Value of Data Insights - How operators and asset owners realise the value of their data to maximise their assets and increase competitiveness

• Breaking down the value chain
• Collaborative commercial models
• Incentivising every person within every organisation

9:30

Rolf Samonte | Head of ICT & Cyber Security Team | Metro Trains Sydney

Protecting data, cyber incident response, and fostering partnerships

• Protecting OT & IT Systems
• Securing AI - Future Proofing Business
• Fostering Partnerships

9:45

Alan Dittrich | Head of Digital Solutions, Rail Drive Systems | ZF Group

ZF connect@rail – the digital revolution of a condition monitoring system

• Sustainable Rail Transport: How ZF Connect@Rail enhances maintenance processes for sustainability
• Impact on Preventive Maintenance: The disruption and benefits of condition monitoring systems
• Reality of Digitalization: Assessing the revolutionary impact of successful digitalization

10:00

Isidoros Sapounas | Head of Digitalization | CFL

The transformation in the field of maintenance and how the railway can benefit from digital maintenance possibilities

• Efficiency through Digitalization & CBM
• Changing Roles and Agility with pragmatic solutions for the maintenance
• Data Partnerships and Target State (Know-how Integration)

10:15

Damon Thomas | CEO | Intelligis

New Developments in the digitisation of Freight Rail

• Taking a flexible and modular approach to IoT integration in freight
• The value of aggregated data - placing value on outcomes not data
• Building the business case - the benefits of adoption versus the cost of inaction

10:30

Gerhard Loots | CEO | Kallipr

How rail operators are boosting safety with precision monitoring

• IoT’s impact on managing speed restrictions, reducing derailment risks and maintaining safety in weather events
• A roadmap to implementing predictive maintenance across your network
• Learnings and actionable insights from real-world applications at Aurizon and Yarra Trams

10:45

Morning Refreshments in the Networking & Exhibition Area

11:15

Flavien Viguier | Head of Innovation, Datascience and 3D Development | SNCF
& Amira Youssef | Lead Data Scientist | SNCF

Deployment of datascience solutions for maintenance and asset management

• Multisource data analysis
• 3D data valorisation
• Decision-making tools: maintenance versus renewal

11:30

Krzysztof Wilczek | Head of Track Analytics | Plasser & Theurer & Manuel Urstöger | Product Manager | tmc Track machines connected

Data-Driven Track Maintenance: Risks, Challenges, and Opportunities

• Navigating complex environments: Operating heavy machinery in harsh conditions while ensuring safety and precision
• Impact on lifecycle costs and safety: How track quality directly influences operational costs and system reliability
• Bridging the skills gap: Using digital technologies to enhance workforce capabilities and meet increasing operational demands

11:45

Christian Burk | Director & Authorized Signatory | Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe AG

Challenges of an ageing, growing and increasingly strained urban rail network (2 solution concepts)

• Urban rail network in Cologne (chances and challenges)
• Mass data concept for monitoring and dashboarding
• Precise data concept for modelling and prediction

12:00

José Antonio Marcos | Head Area Manager of Smart Maintenance Engineering | Talgo

Dynamic Maintenance Approach based on Artificial Intelligence

• The democratization of AI generative for the industry
• Industry 4.0 technologies applied in maintenance services

12:15

Imma Baradyana | Director of Strategic Development | Konux

Transformation in Rail Enabled by Data

• Promoting data sharing to drive collaboration and innovation in rail operations
• Using real-time data analytics to optimize infrastructure reliability and reduce downtime
• Advancing sustainable railway solutions through intelligent monitoring and decision-making systems

12:30

Naser Krasniqi | CEO | Infrakos (Kosovo Railways)

Preparation of Infrakos for Harmonization with the Revised TEN-T Regulation

• Assessment and Adaptation of Standards - Infrakos has conducted an in-depth review of the revised TEN-T regulation to identify necessary adjustments and has carried out technical audits to ensure full compliance.
• Modernization of Infrastructure - Focus on upgrading signaling systems, expanding capacity, and developing logistics centres that meet TEN-T standards.
• International Coordination and Key Projects - Active collaboration with the EU mechanisms and development of cross-border projects to improve regional and European connectivity, including exploring the potential for constructing a dry port as a key logistical hub.

12:45

Daniel Larsson | Strategic System Developer | SJ Götalandståg AB

Decoding Delays: Data, Trains, and Human Behaviour

• Merging traffic delay causes and vehicle usage
• Balancing Technology and Human Input
• Moving towards AI

13:00

Terence Reverdin | Head of Track Maintenance | Schweizerische Südostbahn AG

The life-cycle of track assets – is there a missing link?

• Infrastructure and the track as a complex system
• The challenge in the implementation of data-driven maintenance processes
• Track data and its embedding in asset management processes

13:15

Lunch in the Networking & Exhibition Area

14:15

Round Table Discussion Groups

• Satellite Deep Dive: Sharing experiences, implementation strategies, successes, and failures
• How do we shift the emphasis on to outcomes rather than data and develop commercial models that support collaboration and data sharing, whilst protecting the integrity of individual Intellectual Property?
• Challenges for next future, manpower vs robotics
• How are transport innovators unlocking new revenue streams?
• The future of predictive maintenance in rail: Opportunities, challenges and innovations
• AI...is it genuinely new or has it been around for years? Which AI developments are really making a difference in the transport/rail world?
• How does the audience experience developments around the rail data space and similar initiatives and what are chances and risks from those
• Boots OFF ballast - using digital solutions to eliminate on track inspection
• Enhancing Rail Industry Efficiency through Integrated IoT and Big Data Solutions in EAM and APM
• Data access independent from OEM : challenges and opportunities
• What is stopping the rail industry from realising the benefits of IoT and Big Data?
• High Speed Rail inspection: what challenges for network operators and maintainers
• Envisioning the Next Generation of Infrastructure Monitoring.
• Low Earth Orbit Connectivity – the Role of Satellite in the Digital Transformation of Rail
• From Fragmented to Connected: How can interoperable data spaces foster collaboration and fuel AI-powered solutions.

15:30

Chairman’s Closing Comments & End of Conference