Innovation in Rail Passenger Transport as a Basis for the Safety of Public Passenger Transport

Abstract

Rail passenger transport as the only mode of transport has the preconditions to form the essential axis of the integrated transport system and thus the basic framework of sustainable public passenger transport. In order to meet the preconditions, rail passenger transport must focus on research and innovation in the coming decades. Research and innovation must focus on these key areas: digitalisation and cost-effectiveness, automation of the railway system and Artificial Intelligence, sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions, intelligent RTV lifecycle management and enhancing RTV operability, integrating railways into the DOOR-TO- DOOR system (increasing the availability of rail transport services to customers) and security and protection (increasing customer safety and asset protection). Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko, a.s., the national operator and the leader on the public transport market, aims at becoming a leader in research and innovation. ZSSK is currently implementing a number of projects related to these key areas. Within its strategy until 2030, ZSSK plans further activities in the key areas of research and development. The essential condition is the state support in the form of realization of the approved Strategic Transport Development Plan of the Slovak Republic until 2030 and elimination of the investment debt in the railway infrastructure and in the renewal and maintenance of RTV.