Rail research agenda presented to Busquin
The strategic rail research agenda (SRRA), which sets out ambitious targets for improving Europe's railways, was presented to EU Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin on 18 December. The vision contained within the SRRA is that of the European rail research advisory council (ERRAC), which brings together stakeholders from Member States, the Commission and the rail industry, and is headed by Philippe Renard, Director for research and technology of the French railways (SNCF). 'The most important aspect of the SRRA is that research is highlighted as a priority based on a vision of what rail will be like in 2020,' Mr Renard told CORDIS News. Another important aspect of the agenda is that it creates a 'new link between researchers and transport policy workers,' added Mr Renard. Indeed on receiving the SRRA, Mr Busquin claimed that while he would not refer to the agenda as the 'bible' of rail research, it will certainly be used when making policy decisions in the future. A range of priorities have been identified by ERRAC, including: - increasing the speed of rail transport to reduce transit time by up to 50 per cent; - reducing the average cost per passenger/kilometre or ton/kilometre by 50 per cent; - reducing freight train noise emissions by 10 decibels; - reducing fatalities by 50 per cent. One of the primary conditions for success is integration, Mr Renard told CORDIS News. This integration should bring together different sectors, for example those working with innovative materials and those working with the traditional materials, said Mr Renard. Equally important however is the integration of the priorities set out in the SRRA into national research programmes, said Mr Renard. 'This will involve a lot of work, but everybody wants to do this work because they're all in ERRAC,' said Mr Renard. Another task for the future is to develop links with research programmes in other industries, such as telecoms and aerospace, because the industries share common problems and solutions, explained Mr Renard. An 'emergency task' is to work towards the prompt introduction of interoperability. 'This is not a research question, but an industry question. It's a matter of money,' Mr Renard told CORDIS News. Mr Busquin welcomed the SRRA, saying that its long term philosophy is one he'd like to see in other areas. He outlined the provisions for rail research in the Sixth Framework Programme and called on public and private organisations to coordinate their research programmes and funding.