Charles Cuvelliez, University of Brussels, comments on innovation in the rail sector in reference to a recent CERRE report in French media La Tribune.
He wonders why there is little innovation in the rail sector compared to other modes of transport despite the potential of rail transport to limit pollution and fight climate change.
He notes that in 2011, 43 billion euros were spent on research and development in the transport sector globally but barely 1 billion in the rail sector.
The low rate of innovation in rail has its reasons: rail infrastructure has a much longer life span than a car, which is usually replaced after a few years. The equipment must be compatible with the existing infrastructure. Security is also given high priority which requires intensive testing before innovation can be put into service.
Read the full article here
Read the CERRE report
