Ulf Schulte

[2/3] Going back from #SaudiArabia in #Riyadh where I could meet players #investing in #rail #development in Middle-East. With the introduction of Marc GUIGON I could discuss with our Transport General Authority (TGA) UIC - International union of railways #UICrail members especially: Bader Al Hujailan Thamir Alkhalifa Major topics were about: ✅ TGA acts as railway regulator in the Kingdom, so very attentive to #safety level. We discussed very concrete matters, following the principle that fragmentation of responsibilities could be an issue. ✅ The numerous projects need rail #expertise background, that #UIC can bring. ✅ An unseen mobility project of big big big mass transit (I won’t say too much), with restricted locations and timeframe. The challenges in terms of flow management and operations are amazing! #cooperation #railway #fortheplanet #modalshift #passenger #travel

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Check out this insightful article in BtoBRail on the Future of High-Speed Ground Transportation Technologies by Dr. Hamad Almujibah, a leading expert in High-Speed Rail (HSR) development. https://lnkd.in/eG5tBNTR With increasing urbanization worldwide, passenger demand for inter-urban travel has grown and the development of new transport technologies is needed, such as High-Speed Rail (HSR), Magnetic Levitation (Maglev), and Hyperloop. Three main forms of HSGT – HSR, Maglev, and Hyperloop – have attracted much attention from operators and decision-makers worldwide. Governments, too, have acknowledged the benefits. #BtoBRail #BtoBRailMag #highSpeedRail

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Good Infrastructure connectivity between trading partners is widely understood by economists to increase trade. The GCC has announced a major step that will likely boost intraregional trade (and tourism), and potentially lift the whole region. It’s worth keeping an eye out for how this project will connect to the IMEC regional transport line presented by President Biden at last year’s G20.

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2 weeks to go until the Global Rail Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference ! 🚆 I'll have the chance to present how SYSTRA is using data to address the challenges of Performance, Resilience, and Sustainability in Rail Infrastructures. We'll be talking Digital Continuity throughout the Asset lifecycle, diving into use cases, and exploring innovations around Digital Engineering and Digital Twins. Looking forward to sharing insights and learning from industry peers. Will I see you there? #DigitalContinuity #DigitalEngineering #DigitalTwins Hibat BABTY, Éric Pruvost, Vladana Blatnik Darras, Sandra Lang

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Another #equity-related session at #ITSDubai2024 focused on whether or not we have the capability to measure how we are doing with #equity in ITS. In SIS 29: #technology-enabled #mobility equity frameworks: Where are the gaps? The overall answer is "it is complicated!" Thank you to my wonderful speakers who provided their thoughts about this: Richard B. Easley, CAPP, Douglas Wilson and Catherine Whitfield. Here's a brief summary of the discussion: . “When measuring equity, what are we really measuring?” . It is important to listen to the voices of the underserved communities and for us to understand their needs and values. These are the people who we typically do not speak to when designing and deploying #ITS. . When we are constrained by funding, we typically exclude the underserved communities in design and deployment . Sometimes, the terms associated with equity, #inclusion and access can be negatively perceived – both at the government and local community levels . In some cases technology infrastructure can be used as a weapon – the infrastructure is for the “greater good,” rather than for all people. . We need to ask “equity for who and measured for who.” Often we do not take into account the value systems of underserved populations. . The UK’s Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) looks at 7 protected characteristics but it may be less about the impact, and more about one group being disadvantaged over another group. Also, is this type of tool just used to “check off the box,” or is it actually useful? Further, after the project for which the EIA was done is completed, no one goes back to see if the expectations described in the EIA have been actually achieved. . There are 4 measures that are typically not included or considered in equity assessment tools: (1) Health of the people into affected communities – is technology helping to mitigate the negative impacts? (2) Income levels. (3) Who are we serving with ITS solutions? Typically, the groups that we need to speak to do not have the resources to be “in the room.” (4) Safety needs vary from demographic to demographic. . We need to questions people’s beliefs and awareness, and try to change them through education. For example in Michigan, there was a technology challenge to improve mobility for persons with disabilities. One disability that is typically overlooked is #autism. This group had to be convinced to tell their story, so their needs could be included. . Does regulation have a role in terms of equity? Changes in regulations can make improvements in equity for one group, but have unintended consequences in other groups. The bottom line is that we need to keep having this dialogue so that we understand the full impact of ITS on all people. ITS Congresses ITS Congresses ERTICO - ITS Europe Intelligent Transportation Society of America ITS Australia ITS International Magazine #diversity #inclusion #accessibility The University of Auckland WSP in the UK

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The Hafeet Rail project is a rare project financing for greenfield rail infrastructure that accommodates full demand risk. Project revenues will be entirely variable and debt service will depend on strong local demand for freight rail. In this feature, Thomas Hopkins discusses the $3 billion Hafeet Rail project, a pivotal cross-border rail link between Abu Dhabi and Oman, exploring its strategic importance for the Gulf region despite significant financial and demand risks, driven by state-backed sponsors and essential infrastructure commitments. 🔗 Read the full article here and find out Proximo’s perspective: https://lnkd.in/eVtmWH9U #Proximo #InfrastructureFinance #GreenfieldRailInfrastructure #HafeetRail #NonrecourseDebt

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🚆 Is the Railway Industry Ready to Meet Growing Demand? The latest data from Pro-Rail Alliance highlights the varying levels of rail investment across Europe, sparking important discussions about the future of rail travel. 📊 Luxembourg leads with a notable €512 per resident investment in 2023, Switzerland and Austria follow with €477 and 336 per resident, showcasing its exemplary and punctual railway system built over the last years and decades. Sweden (€336) and UK (€277) are also making significant strides. However, it’s surprising to see strong economies like Denmark (€133), Belgium (€115), and Germany (€115) investing relatively less. For Germany, this modest investment raises concerns given its central role in European transport. Meanwhile, France (€51) and Spain (€70) are at the lower end, indicating a need for more robust investment, even if there are well working high speed networks in place. With demand for rail travel growing, the gap between investment and need is widening. Without stronger funding, our environmental and connectivity goals could be at risk. 🌍 While Austria and Switzerland are currently role models, the differences in Europe are huge and I believe the path to making rail the easiest, most efficient, and sustainable option for travel between 100 and 1,500 km is still long. What are your thoughts on these investment trends? Share your insights in the comments! 💡 #MakingTrainTravelEasy Rail Europe #Future #Sustainability

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I am happy to share the Forbes Council Post on Recommendations for the Future of Transportation in the Middle East. The article draws extensively from my experience in the transportation industry over the past two decades. It's an insightful article and I would love to listen your inputs and feedback. https://lnkd.in/dYwvrngw

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Hupac Group will launch 2025 new #intermodal connections from Benelux to Italy on the left bank of the Rhine through #France - to relieve intermodal from capacity constraints caused by the #German rail infrastructure works. And to create again #growth in Intermodal. #sustainability #modalshift #GreenDeal #decarbonization

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The latest annual report from the German Council of Economic Experts, titled “Tackling Failures, Modernizing with Determination”, explicitly recommends the separation between the infrastructure manager, and railway operators.   The report highlights several key points, including: ➡️ Improving transparency in the use of public subsidies for rail infrastructure ➡️ Reducing inefficient prioritization, often driven by the internal interests of integrated groups, as seen in cases such as Deutsche Bahn (DB) ➡️ Reinforcing competition, which stimulates innovation, reduces costs, and improves the quality of rail services for end-users   The report of the German Council of Economic Experts demonstrates that the benefits of such a separation, far outweigh the transition costs. Structural separation would lead to an overall improvement, in quality, efficiency, and attractiveness of the rail sector, encouraging investments and welcoming new entrants into the market.   ALLRAIL fully supports this recommendation, which represents a significant step towards a fair and open rail market in Europe. This vision of healthy competition serves citizens, and businesses alike, creating a more modern, and sustainable rail network.   #RailTransport #Competition #RailInfrastructure #ALLRAIL #EconomicReport #RailInnovation

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An #ITS that supports the provision of a "sustainable, multimodal, and smart transport system" that supports positive city and societal outcomes was a key message from this morning's session on "safe, trustworthy, and resilient Mobility Ecosystem." #ITSdubai2024 #dubaiRTA #sustainablemobility #Autonomousmobility #smartmobility

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Credit to Mark Simmons October 16, 2024 Etihad Rail mulls high-speed line bids https://lnkd.in/gWr324tf ETIHAD Rail is considering prequalification bids to design and build the first phase of a high-speed network in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A 150km line will link Abu Dhabi with Dubai. Further development of the network will include up to 10 stations in Abu Dhabi and new lines between Abu Dhabi and Al-Ain and Dubai and Sharjah. Trains are expected to operate on the new lines at up to 320km/h. The network will include 31km of tunnels. The first phase is scheduled to open in 2030, with stations at Abu Dhabi Al-Zahiyah, Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi Airport, and Dubai Al-Jaddaf. The new line will include underground, elevated and at-grade sections, and provide a journey time of 30 minutes between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The likely cost of the high-speed network has not been disclosed. Preliminary ground testing for the first phase has begun, with Matcon Testing Laboratory in Dubai and Engineering & Research International from Abu Dhabi investigating the terrain and soil conditions along the proposed route, together with engineering consultants Sener and Ineco. Etihad Rail currently operates freight trains on the conventional rail network in the UAE, totalling 1200km. A public passenger service was expected to commence this year, with a journey time of just under 1 hour scheduled for trains running between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, although no date for this has yet been confirmed. Construction began earlier this year on a new conventional line that will link the UAE with Oman, which is being developed by Hafeet Rail, a joint venture of Etihad Rail and Oman Rail.

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📌 Check the comments section for the full News link. 🌍 Transforming Urban Mobility: Riyadh Metro’s Blue & Red Lines are Here! The future of sustainable transportation has arrived in Riyadh! 🏙 On December 1, the Riyadh Metro Blue Line begins its journey, followed by the Red Line on December 15, setting a new benchmark in public transit innovation. Developed by the BACS Consortium—led by Bechtel Corporation, Siemens Mobility, and local giants Almabani General Contractors and Consolidated Contractors Company—this cutting-edge metro system brings: 🚆 67 Inspiro trains designed for fully automated, driverless operations. 🌿 Eco-friendly solutions supporting sustainable urban growth. 👥 Capacity to move 3.6 million passengers daily, ensuring fast, safe, and reliable mobility. This ambitious project is more than a metro—it’s a vision realized. As Saudi Arabia gears up for global events like the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, World Expo 2030, and FIFA World Cup 2034, the Riyadh Metro is set to be the backbone of the city’s mobility ecosystem. 💡 Key Highlights Spanning 64 km across the Blue and Red Lines, part of a larger 176 km metro network. Equipped with the latest Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) system for seamless operations. A testament to innovation and sustainability, boosting economic growth and creating thousands of jobs. As Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility, said: "Riyadh’s investment in one of the world’s largest public transport systems is a bold step towards an efficient, safe, and sustainable future for its citizens." This is just the beginning of Riyadh’s transformation into a global hub of connectivity and progress. Ready to experience it? 🌟 Tagging key Organisations-CAMCO - Capital Metro Company - كامكو - شركة مترو العاصمة, RATP Dev, سابتكو | SAPTCO, #RiyadhMetro #SustainableMobility #UrbanTransportation #SmartCities #InfrastructureInnovation #DriverlessTrains #SaudiVision2030 #EcoFriendlySolutions #SiemensMobility #Bechtel #TransportationRevolution #FutureOfTravel

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And so it begins!!! It's time to dive into the latest advancements in mobility and mobility data. Looking forward to speaking, exchanging ideas and collaborating on driving the future of data sharing and data usage. #ITSWorldCongress #SmartMobility #MobilityData #Innovation #Dubai2024

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