Programme 2023
Antwerp Rail School 24-29 April 2023 - University of Antwerp | ||||
| Date | Topic | Time | Subject | Speaker |
| Monday 24 April (Location: Brussels South Station, Frankrijkstraat 91 ) | Setting the scene: the strategic challenges for the rail sector | 8u30-9am | Registration | |
| 9 am- 10am | Welcome | Prof. dr. Christa Sys, University of Antwerp, TransportNet, Jan Scheepers, Ricardo + SNCB + Infrabel + Lineas | ||
| 10am - 11.15am | Strategic challenges for passenger rail sector | Marc Huybrechts, General Director Marketing & Sales SNCB | ||
| Strategic challenges for infrastructure | Ann Billiau, CCO Infrabel | |||
| Strategic challenges for freight rail sector | Paul Hegge, Lineas | |||
| 11u20-11u45am | Debate (statements): people, profit, planet | Prof. dr. Thierry Vanelslander, University of Antwerp | ||
| 11u45am-12u30pm | Lunch offerd by SNCB | |||
| Implementing the strategy | 12u30p-1u15pm | Liberalization of rail transport & new contractual rules for SNCB | Frederik Nissens, SNCB | |
| 1u15--2pm | Translating Infrabel's strategic objectives into operational actions and projects (Titel moet nog bepaald worden) | Estelle Nayes, Infrabel | ||
| 2-2u45pm | Performance of rail from a freight rail operator perspective | Kurt Coffyn, Lineas | ||
| 2u45-3pm | Coffee Break + relocation Fonsnylaan | |||
| Visit | 3-4u15pm | Guided visit at Infrabel (Central Dispatching, RIOC & Signal Box) | Alex Fletcher, Leen Vande Putte, Bart Troncquo, Infrabel | |
| Business Cases | 4u15-5u10pm | Assignment mini hackaton sector-casesBusiness case presentations (incl.6 min. Q&A) | Infrabel: Pascale Heylen; SNCB: Jeroen Alting von Geusau; Lineas: X; Siemens: Dirk De Koning | |
| 5.10-6pm | Network drink offered by SNCB | |||
| Tuesday 25 April - University of Antwerp (location: room S.C.101, Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerp) | Freight | 9-11am | Speeddate: rail in the port of Antwerp | Nils van Vliet, Railport Antwerp; Jerri Smet, MSC; Heidi Hendrix en/of Joke Van den Dooren, Infrabel; Arcelor; Combinant; Jeroen Vermaelen, Lineas |
| 11-11u30am | Coffee Break | |||
| 11u30am-12u30pm | Challenges for freight transport by rail | Filip Degroote, Lineas | ||
| 12u30-1u30 | Lunch | Agora Café | ||
| 1u30-3pm | Insights from the US | Dan Behr, Behr & Associates | ||
| 3-3u30pm | Coffee Break | |||
| 3u30-5pm | Traffic and Modal Shift Optimization in the EU | Joan Amoros, FERRMED | ||
| Wednesday 26 April - University of Antwerp (location: room S.C.101, Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerp) | Passenger rail | 9-10am | Rolling stock maintenance | Vincent Alsteens, SNCB |
| 10-10u45am | The SNCB Transport plan - context & Building blocks | Koen Kerckaert, SNCB | ||
| 10u45-11am | Coffee Break | |||
| 11-11u45am | Passenger rail competition | Florent Laroche, Ulyon | ||
| 11u45am-12u15pm | Working on business case challenge | |||
| 12u15-1pm | Lunch | Agora Café | ||
| Wednesday 26 April - Visit to Mechelen SNCB and Infrabel | Fieldtrip | 1-2pm | Traveling via train to Mechelen (central workshop) | |
| 2-4pm | Technical visit Central Workshop Mechelen NMBS | SNCB | ||
| 4u-5upm | Traveling via train to Antwerp | |||
| Thursday 27 April - University of Antwerp (location: room S.C.101, Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerp) | Disruptive technologies | 9-9u45am | SNCB Innovation Lab | Stefan Costeur, SNCB |
| 9u45-10u30am | Innovations in maintenance through telemetry | Pieter Moelans, NMBS | ||
| 10u30-11am | Coffee Break | |||
| 11-11u45am | Rail Energy Optimization : A look into the future | Johnny Bou-Saada, Alstom | ||
| 11u45am-12u30pm | Monitoring overhead wires | Henk Lietaert, Infrabel | ||
| 12u30-2pm | Lunch offered by Siemens | University club | ||
| 2-3u30pm | Signalling of the future | Siemens | ||
| 3u30-3u45pm | Coffee Break | |||
| 3u45-5pm | Digital strategy of Infrabel (planning tools) | Michael Smeyers, Head of, ICT Demand - Infrabel | ||
| Friday 28 April - (Location: Brussel-West, Campus Infrabel Academy) | Policy | 9-10am | European transport infrastructure - overview and challenges | Eckhard Szimba, KIT |
| 10-10.45am | European rail transport policy - overview and challenges | Philip Van Den Bosch, UIC | ||
| 10.45-11u15am | Coffee Break | |||
| 11.15-12am | The importance of rail transport in the European Union | Alice Polo, DG Move | ||
| 12- 12.20pm | Introduction to Infrabel Academy | Jean-Marc Conrad, Infrabel Academy | ||
| 12u20-1u20pm | Lunch offered by Infrabel | Infrabel | ||
| The future | 1u20-2.30pm | working on Business case challenges | ||
| 2.30-2.50pm | Coffee Break | |||
| 2.50- 4u30pm | Presentation of analysed business cases + Q&A | Philip Van den Bosch (UIC), Jeroen Alting von Geusau (SNCB), Paul Hegge (Lineas/BRFF), Pascale Heylen (Infrabel), Dirk Dekoning (Siemens)- moderator: Thierry Vanelslander (University of Antwerp - TrasnsportNET) | ||
| 4u30-4u45pm | Closing speech | Georges Gilkinet, Belgian Federal minister of mobility | ||
| 4u45-5pm | Closing | Prof. dr. Christa Sys, University of Antwerp, TransportNet | ||
| 5-6pm | Closing Drink | Infrabel | ||
Programme 2021
Antwerp Rail School - 2021 - University of Antwerp | ||||
Topic | Time | Subject | Speaker | |
Monday 22 March | Sharing rail knowledge | 08.30 – 09.15 | Welcome (explanation on the use of Zoom + presenting participants + overview of the week) | Katrien De Langhe, University of Antwerp |
09.15 - 10.00 | The importance of rail transport in the European Union | Keir Fitch, DG Move | ||
Coffee break | ||||
10.30 - 11.15 | Infrastructure, what… ? | Paul Godart, Infrabel | ||
11.15 - 12.00 | Rolling stock | Peter Zijdemans, Ricardo Rail | ||
Lunch break | ||||
13.00- 14.00 | SNCB: the disruptive challenges of passenger rail transport | Bart Wuyts, SNCB | ||
14.00 -14.30 | Identifying disruptions in passenger rail | Michiel Voes, University of Antwerp | ||
14.30 - 15.30 | Challenges for freight transport by rail | Filip Degroote, Lineas | ||
Coffee break | ||||
16.00 - 16.45 | Developments of rail transport (case study) | Ronny Dillen, Rail Service Net | ||
16.45 - 17.30 | Signalling/ETCS | Peter Zijdemans, Ricardo Rail | ||
17.30 - 18.00 | Visit measuring train Infrabel | Johan Vekemans, Infrabel | ||
18.00- … | Welcome drink | |||
Tuesday 23 March | Freight | 9.00 - 10.00 | Is there a future without rail freight? | Kurt Coffyn, Lineas |
10.00 - 11.00 | Rail in the port of Antwerp | Nils van Vliet, Railport Antwerp | ||
Coffee break | ||||
11.30 - 12.30 | Intermodality and the importance of rail for a container shipping company | Ellen Meuwissen, MSC | ||
Lunch break | ||||
13.30 - 14.30 | Insights from Switzerland | Dirk Pfister, BLS Cargo | ||
14.30 - 15.30 | An outlook on sustainable international rail freight in Europe | Ulla Kempf, SBB | ||
Coffee break | ||||
16.00 – 17.30 | ECA Performance audits - Use of Indicators (KPIs) | Luc T'Joen, European court of auditors | ||
Wednesday 24 March | Passenger rail | 8.30 - 9.00 | Networking session | |
9.00 - 10.00 | Impact of rolling stock maintenance on SNCB's operations | Vincent Alsteens, SNCB | ||
10.00 - 10.45 | The SNCB Transport plan - context & building blocks | Koen Kerckaert, SNCB | ||
Coffee break | ||||
11.00 - 11.45 | Rail and sustainability | Jeroen Alting von Geusau, SNCB | ||
11.45 - 12.15 | Post-crisis challenges for SNCB | Sophie Dutordoir, SNCB | ||
Lunch break | ||||
13.30 - 14.30 | Organization of the passenger rail market | Adriaan Roeleveld, NS | ||
14.30 - 15.00 | Planning of competitive international rail transport | Carel Jonckheere, Rail Net Europe | ||
15.30 - 16.15 | Technical visit SNCB | Vincent Van Opstal, SNCB | ||
16.30 - 17.30 | Workshop | |||
Thursday 25 March | Disruptive technologies | 9.00 - 9.45 | Automated & connected vehicles | Tom Jansen, Ricardo Rail |
9.45 - 10.30 | SNCB Innovation Lab | Stefan Costeur, SNCB | ||
Coffee break | ||||
11.00 - 11.45 | innovations in rolling stock maintenance | Hendrik Bonne, SNCB | ||
11.45 - 12.30 | Innovations @ De Lijn | Roger Kesteloot, De Lijn | ||
Lunch break | ||||
13.00-13.45 | Automatic Train Operation (ATO) | Baseliyos Jacob, DB | ||
Coffee break | ||||
14.15 - 15.00 | Infrabel's Strategy: Towards a Redefined Network? | Pieter Van Eyndhoven, Infrabel | ||
15.00-15.45 | Digital asset monitoring | Carel Jonckheere, Infrabel | ||
Coffee break | ||||
16.00 - 17.30 | Workshop: Grip on IT in Rolling stock & Innovation in railways - implementation is the challenge! | Johan Zandhuis & Anton Van Himbergen, Ricardo Rail | ||
Friday 26 March | Policy | 9.00 - 10.00 | European transport infrastructure policy - overview and challenges | Eckhard Szimba, KIT |
10.00 - 11.00 | Exploring effects of competitive tender for users in the regional railway market: evidence from Europe | Florent Laroche, LAET | ||
Coffee break | ||||
11.30 - 12.30 | Managing safety in a public transport environment | Hans Kuijpers, Ricardo Rail | ||
Health & Safety | Lunch break | |||
13.30 - 14.00 | Introduction to Forum: COVID-19 in passenger rail | Christa Sys & Katrien De Langhe, University of Antwerp | ||
14.00 - 14.30 | Introduction to Forum: Impact of COVID-19 on NS passenger operations | Adriaan Roeleveld, NS | ||
14.30 - 15.00 | Introduction to Forum: Impact of COVID-19 on the rail sector | Marc Guigon, UIC | ||
Coffee break | ||||
15.30 - 16.30 | Forum on the impact of COVID-19 on rail | Adriaan Roeleveld (NS), Marc Guigon (UIC), Rudi Maerschalck (Ricardo), Frederic Nyssens (SNCB), Paul Hegge (Lineas/BRFF), Katrien De Langhe (University of Antwerp) - moderator: Thierry Vanelslander (University of Antwerp) | ||
16.30-16.45 | Closing speech | Georges Gilkinet, Belgian Federal minister of mobility | ||
16.45-17.00 | Closing | Christa Sys, University of Antwerp | ||
In this interactive panel, the impact of COVID-19 on the rail sector is discussed in a panel consisting of academic and industry experts. Confirmed speakers in the panel include Adriaan Roeleveld of the Dutch Railways NS and Marc Guigon of UIC. The panel session will be moderated by Prof. Thierry Vanelslander.
- Frederic Nyssens (SNCB)
- Paul Hegge (Lineas/Belgian Rail Freight Forum)
- Rudi Maerschalck (Ricardo)
- Katrien De Langhe (University of Antwerp)
Programma 2019
| ||||||
| Antwerp Rail School - 2019 - University of Antwerp | ||||||
| Topic | Location | Time | Subject | Speaker | ||
| Monday 11 March | Sharing rail knowledge | Antwerp Central Station, Perszaal, B-MS. 152 | 08.30 – 09.00 | Registration | ||
| 09.00 – 09.15 | Welcome | Christa Sys/Maarten Spaargaren | ||||
| 09.15 - 10.15 | Developing a strong and competitive European rail transport industry | Désirée Oen, European Commission | ||||
| Coffee break | ||||||
| 10.30 - 11.15 | Infrastructure, what… ? | Paul Godart, Infrabel | ||||
| 11.15 - 12.00 | Rolling stock | Peter Zijdemans, Ricardo Rail | ||||
| Lunch and networking break | ||||||
| 13.00 - 14.00 | Developments of rail transport (case study) | Ronny Dillen, Railtraxx | ||||
| 14.00 - 14.45 | The insights of rail freight operations | Jeroen Spruyt, Lineas | ||||
| Coffee break | ||||||
| 15.00 – 15.30 | Basic principles of ETCS/ERTMS | Peter Zijdemans, Ricardo Rail | ||||
| 15.30 - 16.15 | Turning data into value | Alexander Bal, Ricardo Rail | ||||
| 16.15 - 17.00 | Interfaces | Edward de Jong, Ricardo Rail | ||||
| 17.00 - 17.30 | Visit measuring train Infrabel @ Central Station, platform 3 | |||||
| 17.30 | Welcome drinks | |||||
| Tuesday 12 March | Policy & Regulation | Grauwzusters, Lange Sint-Annastraat 7, Room S004 | 9.00 - 10.00 | Exploring the effects of inter- and intramodal competition on prices and frequencies in the long-distance railway market: evidence from Europe | Florent Laroche, LAET | |
| 10.00 - 11.00 | Creating a competitive environment for rail freight | Silvia de Rocchi, ERFA | ||||
| Coffee break | ||||||
| 11.15 - 12.15 | Rail Regulation: 4th Railway Package and update on TSIs | Jos van Gisbergen, Ricardo Rail | ||||
| Lunch and networking break | ||||||
| 13.00 - 13.45 | Maintenance of Rolling Stock & Entity in Charge of Maintenance (ECM) | Hans Kuijpers, Ricardo Rail | ||||
| 13.45 - 14.45 | Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) | Dan Behr | ||||
| Coffee break | ||||||
| 15.00 – 16.30 | ECA Performance audits - Use of Indicators (KPIs) | Luc 'tJoen, European court of auditors | ||||
| 16.30 - 17.30 | EU railway policy, track access charges | Kay Mitusch, KIT | ||||
| Wednesday 13 March | Performance of rail | Mainhub | 7.14 - 7.31 | Personnel train from Antwerp Central Station to Mainhub | ||
| Breakfast | ||||||
| 9.00 - 10.00 | Building the Digital Railway | Gert Schevernels, Infrabel | ||||
| 10.00 - 11.00 | Performance of passenger rail | Bart Wuyts, NMBS | ||||
| 11.00 - 12.30 | Group A: Visit shunting yard, signalling control, Group B: Visit maintenance plant NMBS | |||||
| Lunch and networking break | ||||||
| 13.30 - 14.30 | Performance of rail from rail operator perspective | Geert Pauwels, Lineas | ||||
| 14.30 - 16.00 | Group A: Visit maintenance plant NMBS, Group B: Visit shunting yard, signalling control | |||||
| 16.26 - 16.49 | Personnel train from Mainhub to Antwerp Central Station | |||||
| Thursday 14 March | Innovations & Digitalisation | Grauwzusters, Lange Sint-Annastraat 7, Room S004 | 9.00 - 10.00 | New developments in the field of information technology (e.g. Open data) | Roger Kesteloot, De Lijn | |
| 10.00 - 10.45 | Is there a role for rail in urban freight distribution? | Katrien De Langhe, UAntwerpen | ||||
| Coffee break | ||||||
| 11.00 - 11.45 | Autonomous vehicles (cyber security) | Tom Jansen, Ricardo Rail | ||||
| Lunch and networking break | ||||||
| 14.15 - 15.00 | IT | Johan Zandhuis, Ricardo Rail | ||||
| Coffee break | ||||||
| 15.15 – 16.15 | Infrastructure Innovations | Rolf Dollevoet, TU Delft | ||||
| 16.15 - 17.00 | MaaS | Koen Schietecatte, De Lijn | ||||
| Friday 15 March | Sustainable rail | Grauwzusters, Lange Sint-Annastraat 7, Room S004 | 9.00 - 10.00 | Railway Safety | Bart Van der Herten & Valérie Aussems, MIVB | |
| 10.00 - 10.45 | Energy in the railsector | Jack Doomernik, Avans | ||||
| Coffee break | ||||||
| 11.00 - 12.00 | Energy & Environment | Simon Gandy, Ricardo | ||||
| Lunch and networking break | ||||||
| 13.00 - 13.30 | Introduction to Forum: Innovation in technically traditional markets | Ben van Schijndel, Strukton | ||||
| 13.30 - 14.00 | Introduction to Forum: War for talent @ HR-Rail | Paul Hautekiet, HR-Rail | ||||
| 14.00 - 14.30 | Introduction to Forum: BRAIN-TRAINS: Transversal assessment of new intermodal strategies + research future skills | Thierry Vanelslander, UAntwerpen | ||||
| 14.30 - 16.00 | Forum on war for talent | Corina de Jongh, Paul Hautekiet, Maarten Spaargaren, Bart Van der Herten, Eddy Van de Voorde, Ben van Schijndel | ||||
| Closing | Christa Sys | |||||
| Network drink | ||||||
Programme 2017
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday
Monday 6 March - Rail knowledge
08.30 – 09.00 - Registration
09.00 – 09.15 - Welcome
Christa Sys
09.15 - 10.15 - Strategic repositioning of Railways in the European Union
Karel Vinck
10.30 - 11.15 - Rolling stock
Peter Zijdemans
11.15 - 12.00 - Interface
Edward de Jong
Lunch and network break
13.30 - 14.15 - Basic principles of ERTMS
Peter Zijdemans
14.30 - 15.15 - Intelligent Rail: SmartFleet and Inframonitoring
Alexander Bal
15.15 – 16.30 - The insights of rail freight operations
Jeroen Spruyt, B Logistics
16:30 - 17:15 - Introduction Infrastructure (what? …)
Jan Mys, Infrabel
17:15 - Welcome drinks
Tuesday 7 March - Policy and Regulation
9.00 - 10.30 - Railway regulation
Matthias Finger
10.45 - 11.30 - Rail freight competition in Belgium and Europe - the static approach
Thierry Vanelslander
11.30 - 12.15 - Assessment of competition on the European rail freight market ten years after the liberalization
Florent Laroche
Lunch and network break
13.45 - 15.15 - UK rail liberalisation: experiences from the first 20 years
Allan Woodburn
15.30 - 17.00 Updates TSI's / 4th Railway Package (tbc)
Jos van Gisbergen
Wednesday 8 March - Financing and Infrastructure
Financing
9.00 - 09.45 - Leasing
Katherine Van Goethem, Alpha trains
09.45 - 10.30 - Railway tunnel construction experiences
Wim Maekelberg, TUC Rail
10.45 - 12.15 - Financing infrastructure
José Viegas, ITF
Lunch and network break
Infrastructure
13.35 - 14.40 - Train to Schaarbeek
15.00 - 17.00 - Social Program (Guided visit Train World Museum)
Thursday 9 March - Sustainability and Innovations
9.00 - 10.30 - Taking the activities of a loss making department of a national railway operator into the 21st century
Geert Pauwels (B Logistics)
10.45 - 11.30 - Trams for urban freight distribution: success or failure?
Katrien De Langhe
11.30 - 12.15 - New development in the field of information technology (e.g. Open data)
Roger Kesteloot (De Lijn)
Lunch and network break
14.00 - 14.45 Innovations in railways
Anton van Himbergen
14.45 - 15.30 - Innovative intelligent rail projects
David Bishop
15.45 - 16.30 - Market strategies and competition on international high-speed rail connections
Jack Doomernik
16.30 – 17.15 - Autonomous vehicles (cyber security)
Tom Jansen
Friday 10 March - Future of Rail
9.00 - 9.30 - Bus to maintenance plant NMBS Antwerp
9.30 - 11.30 - Technical visit maintenance plant NMBS Antwerp
Lunch and network break
13.00 - 14.00 - BRAIN-TRAINS: Transversal assessment of new intermodal strategies
Frank Troch, UAntwerp
14.00 - 15.00 - Future of rail
Paul Seller, Ricardo Rail
15.00 - 16.00 - Innovations at Bombardier
Patrick Hauspie
16.00 - ... Speech and certificates
Minister Bellot
Closing
Christa Sys
Network drink
Press coverage
Edition 2019
- Denktank wil tekort aan spoorpersoneel aanpakken | SpoorPro.nl
- Topeditie Antwerp Rail School: optimisme over Antwerpse goederenspoor | Flows
- Lineas-topman: rijden trein moet net zo makkelijk zijn als truck | SpoorPro.nl
Edition 2017
- "Lustrumeditie Antwerp Rail School in teken van kennisdeling" | Spoor PRO, 19-01-2017
- "Karel Vinck: ‘No reason’ freight trains should not be 700 metres" - openingssessie uitgelicht in Railfreight.com
Pictures
Pictures Rail School 2017
Pictures Rail School 2015
