The Scientific Committee of UIC HIGHSPEED 2012, the 8th world congress on High-Speed Rail, met on 12 April at UIC Headquarters in Paris. This Committee chaired by Mr Michel Leboeuf, SNCF, also Chairman of the UIC High-Speed Plenary Committee, is composed of representatives of the American Public Transport Association (APTA), the co-organiser of this world congress together with UIC, as well as representatives from the member railways – in charge of high-speed development and international affairs respectively – together with the heads of the UIC Passenger/High-Speed and Communications departments.
The Scientific Committee dedicated the meeting to final discussions and selection of speakers for the congress, including high-level participants of the Opening Session on 11 July, high-level panelists for the Round Tables, chairpersons and speakers for the various sessions.
The programme, containing details of the round tables and sessions as well as all practical information for registration, will be available within a few weeks on a printed brochure and also accessible via the congress website.
The Scientific Committee also defined the conditions for participation in Philadelphia of the group of selected students – from various parts of the world – who will bring their contribution in the shape of projects, ideas and creativity.
The UIC HIGHSPEED Organising Committee met on 13 April in Amsterdam with the participation of UIC, APTA and Europoint, the Dutch congress organiser supporting APTA in the congress preparation and management. The team was informed on the progress on all practical issues: the professional exhibition (a joint exhibition stand will be shared by UIC and APTA as the two main organisers), the preparation of the opening film, the media activities of the congress, etc.
400 participants have already registered for this congress which has been confirmed as the leading event in the world dedicated to High-Speed Rail development and all related issues (technology and research, operations, safety, finance, economic and social impact, sustainability, political aspects, etc.).
Previous editions of UIC HIGHSPEED have successfully been held in Brussels (92), Lille (95), Berlin (98), Madrid (2002), Milan (2005), Amsterdam (2008) and Beijing (2010), attracting over 1,000 participants each time (authorities, delegates, exhibitors, manufacturers, media...).
