PhDs EU-Rail: Research Results on the Implementation of Innovations in Railway Transport Presented at the Coordination Meeting in Paris
A Meeting of Academics4Rail and PhDs EU-Rail Held in Paris
On 29–30 September 2026, a joint coordination meeting of the European projects Academics4Rail and PhDs EU-Rail was held at the headquarters of the International Union of Railways (UIC) in Paris, France.
The meeting focused on strengthening research cooperation, exchanging experience and research results, as well as discussing current challenges and future opportunities for innovation in railway transport. The event brought together PhD students, researchers, representatives of the railway industry, and other stakeholders from the European railway community.
The National Transport University (NTU) was represented by PhD student Oleksandr Rohovyi, who presented a video showcasing the results of his research and delivered a presentation on “Implementation of Innovations in Railway Transport.” The research was presented during the second day of the meeting, which was dedicated to showcasing PhD research, discussing research results, and receiving professional feedback from the coordinators and participants.
Oleksandr Rohovyi’s participation provided an opportunity to present the National Transport University’s research achievements to the international academic and professional community, exchange experience with young researchers and railway industry experts, and receive feedback on the further development of the research.
The first day of the meeting was dedicated to stakeholder engagement and the interactive World Café format, which focused on current issues across five thematic areas:
- social aspects of railway transport;
- train–infrastructure interaction;
- operations;
- train management;
- cross-cutting and interdisciplinary topics.
Within the thematic tables, participants discussed, among other topics, inclusion and accessibility in railway transport, additive manufacturing, freight train aerodynamics, digital communications, ERTMS, the implementation of innovations, education and training, prognostics and health management of railway assets, digital control systems, and urban logistics.
Following the thematic group sessions, the results of the World Café were presented and jointly discussed. The programme also included a Gender Workshop and an Education Workshop, focusing on gender equality in the railway sector and the development of education and training for railway professionals.
The second day of the meeting was dedicated to project coordination and management, progress updates, upcoming activities, and dissemination issues. The programme concluded with presentations of PhD research in the form of short videos, followed by oral discussions with the coordinators and meeting participants.
The meeting in Paris provided an important platform for strengthening international research cooperation, exchanging experience between the academic community and railway industry representatives, and developing a network of young researchers in the field of railway transport.
