Digitalisation in Railway Operations:

Diversified Competences – Diversified Education

 

Dear Sir or Madam, Dear Participants,

Railway technology is evolving rapidly. To fully capitalise on the opportunities presented by digitalisation, we need joint efforts from academia, industry, and railway operators. It is often forgotten that behind every technology are people who must understand and safely operate new systems. That is why we also need joint efforts to empower our employees. The exchange of experiences in training continues to gain importance. The BEST Users Conference 2026 in Kiel offers the ideal setting for this - practical, focused, and networking-oriented.

A current example is the introduction of ETCS Level 2 on the Vienna ‘’Schnellbahn’’. This project impressively demonstrates how modern control and signaling technology increases capacity, improves operational quality, and simultaneously places new demands on training and operations. The insights gained offer valuable guidance for railways planning or already implementing similar steps.

Here at BLS, too, we are gaining a wide range of experience with new forms of education and training in collaboration with SBB. The learning and training system (LTS2) developed by SBB and used jointly supports our employees in mastering complex operational procedures safely and efficiently. Realistic scenarios can be practiced at any time and from any location - this strengthens operational competence and sustainably improves operational quality and safety.

Another central pillar of our training is close collaboration with research institutions and universities. Joint studies, simulator tests, and method comparisons enable us to analyze new technologies and operational procedures at an early stage and further develop them in a practical manner. The direct exchange between theory and practice enriches both sides - and ultimately benefits the entire railway system. The Railway Training Laboratory at TU Dresden offers excellent conditions for this. With the integration of the PRESIM system into the railway training laboratory, real-world operational and infrastructure situations can be simulated under laboratory conditions and scientifically investigated.

I cordially invite you to take advantage of the BEST Users Conference at Scheidt & Bachmann in Kiel for inspiring discussions, the exchange of ideas, and the sharing of experiences. We look forward to your participation.

 

Adrian Mosimann

BLS AG