International Railway Research Board (IRRB)

The International Railway Research Board (IRRB) is the UIC’s global platform connecting railway operators, infrastructure managers, research centres, and universities around a single purpose: advancing rail innovation worldwide. By structuring research priorities at both regional and global levels and facilitating strategic dialogue between leading industry and academic players, the IRRB ensures strategic consistency among its members and promotes best practices in R&D+I activities across the railway sector.

Role: The global engine avoiding duplicated efforts, filling knowledge gaps, and disseminating critical research globally.

Structure of International Railway Research Board (IRRB)

Find a link to the IRRB Terms of Reference below.

Administration Part:

IRRB General Assembly (see IRRB Terms of Reference)
IRRB Steering Committee (see IRRB Terms of Reference)

Operational Part:

6 Regional Competence Hubs (RCHs)
- Role: Decentralised incubators driving continuous, locally relevant R&D with regional autonomy across Europe (RCH Europe), Asia-Pacific (RCH Asia & Pacific), North America (RCH North America), Latin America (RCH Latin America), the Middle East (RCH Middle East), and Africa (RCH Africa).

Academic Board for Innovation (ABI) –
- Role: The UIC Research and Innovation “Railway Think-Thank” focuses on research and innovation in the railway sector, as well as the development of talent and specialised expertise. It acts as the Central Point for Coordination and cooperation between Universities and Railway Operators Communities (UIC members) within the UIC.