24 - 28 April 2023

✔ A week-long series of presentations, debates and practical workshops focused on key challenges for Europe's rail industry

✔ An innovative forum for railway professionals and students to broaden their industry expertise including field visits and informal activities

✔ Next edition in 2025

✔ The Antwerp Rail School will be offered in a Physical format: participants can attend on campus.

Why should you participate?

✔ Academic theory combined with operational and strategic decision making

  • Are you interested in the latest developments concerning rail knowledge?
  • Would you like to know more about rail policy?
  • Would you like to develop your knowledge on rail freight?
  • Do you want to be informed about the latest developments of passenger rail?
  • Are you are curious about disruptive technologies?
  • Is health and safety drawing your attention?

If so, don’t miss it and join us at the Antwerp Rail School

The Antwerp Rail School programme covers a variety of topics. Themes vary from basic to in-depth rail knowledge around market - process - rolling stock - infrastructure. Renowned speakers from European universities as well as international rail businesses highlight topics, such as rail knowledge, rail freight, passenger rail, disruptive technologies, rail policy and health & safety.

✔ Sharing knowledge and experiences on the edge of business and academia

Rail industry experts – academics and high-level practitioners - discuss everything that academics or PhD students in rail teaching and research as well as (aspiring) rail professionals need to know:

  • knowledge about infrastructure, operations, rolling stock, regulation, etc.
  • considerations in rail market analysis,
  • rail policy and its impacts,
  • rail pricing and regulation issues,
  • the effective monitoring of asset condition,
  • cross acceptance of rolling stock and equipment between rail networks,
  • sustainability and innovations.

and more core themes from the rail industry.

✔ Informal networking

You will be able to get to know your fellow professionals or academics during our informal networking breaks, taking full advantage of our location in the heart of the historic city of Antwerp.

For professionals, academics and PhD or advanced students

The current key aspects of the rail industry are covered during the Antwerp Rail School. This is a great opportunity for seasoned professionals in the business to gain more in-depth knowledge, as well as for academics and PhD students who would like to gain advanced insight how rail businesses work and what scientific methods can be applied and derived. During and in between the sessions, there will be many opportunities for networking. The course also values 3 ECTS credits for doctoral programs and Master students.

A different theme every day

  • Monday: Setting the scene: the strategic challenges for the rail sector / Capacity Management
  • Tuesday: Rail freight
  • Wednesday: Passenger rail
  • Thursday: Disruptive technologies
  • Friday: Rail policy and health & safety & Future

About the organisation

The Antwerp Rail School is organised by the Department of Transport and Regional Economics (TPR) and Ricardo Rail and NMBS/SNCB.

TPR

The Department of Transport and Regional Economics (TPR) of the University of Antwerp has, in recent decades, experienced spectacular growth, driven by developments in both business and politics. Read more about TPR.

TPR is part of TransportNET, which is composed of seven European transport research universities and institutes, features a long history in research and in teaching, both in rail topics and in related markets and sectors. Read more about TransportNET.

The University of Antwerp’s roots go back to 1852. The university has about 20 000 students, which makes it the third largest university in Flanders. Read more about the University of Antwerp.

Ricardo Rail

As a worldwide consultancy firm in heavy and urban rail as well as rail infrastructure Ricardo Rail supports knowledge sharing as well as developing skills & capabilities in the rail industry. Read more about Ricardo Rail.

NMBS/SNCB

With more than 900,000 passengers a day (before the COVID-19 crisis), SNCB wants to be the solution for a comfortable and sustainable mobility in Belgium. Its target is satisfied customers who consider the train as an obvious solution to their mobility needs. SNCB therefore invests in a customer-oriented transport model, punctual and well-maintained trains and comfortable and functional stations that connect seamlessly with other intermodal transport modes. SNCB has 18,400 employees who put the customer first every day.  Read more about NMBS/SNCB

> Read more about the previous editions of 'Antwerp Rail School'.