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UIC & Australasian Centre for Rail Innovation sign MoC on access to rail research

Posted: 21 September 2016 | | No comments yet

The International Union of Railways (UIC) and the Australasian Centre for Rail Innovation (ACRI) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on 19th September which will boost industry and government access to rail research on a global level.

UIC & Australasian Centre for Rail Innovation sign MoC on access to rail research

The International Union of Railways (UIC) and the Australasian Centre for Rail Innovation (ACRI) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on 19th September which will boost industry and government access to rail research on a global level.

UIC & Australasian Centre for Rail Innovation sign MoC on access to rail research

Signed by UIC Director-General Jean-Pierre Loubinoux and Executive Director of ACRI Vicki Brown, the agreement will see both organisations share information about research being undertaken, including detailed synopses of projects. This cooperation will help prevent duplication and provide opportunities for co-operation. Where intellectual property rights permit, the two will also share the results of their research.

Both organisations to share information about rail research being undertaken

Commenting on the agreement, Mr Loubinoux said: “The cooperation between the UIC and ACRI is not based on financial contribution from one to the other but relies on in-kind contributions.

“UIC and ACRI members will no doubt face similar problems and challenges in the future even if there will be some inevitable differences in research application,” he said.

Under the agreement, the UIC will provide ACRI non-confidential research and innovation-related content, after permission from the member(s) concerned, and also full details of research where possible. This will be added to the ACRI Rail Knowledge Bank. The Knowledge Bank is a well-used and easy-to-navigate database for rail professionals and industry, which has annually more than 31,000 visits and 21,000 file downloads. It contains research reports, conference papers, presentations and other relevant material. UIC will provide a link to the ACRI Rail Knowledge Bank site from its site.

“Adding past, present and future UIC research to ACRI Rail Knowledge Bank will enhance the already information-rich website”

ACRI’s Vicki Brown added: “Part of ACRI mission is to provide innovative solutions to improve productivity and support the competitive position of the Australian and New Zealand rail industry. Adding past, present and future UIC research to ACRI Rail Knowledge Bank will enhance the already information-rich website, which covers every aspect of rail (and related wider transport). Providing this access will be of enormous economic value to rail operators, suppliers and customers, managers, and transport economists, to name a few.”