Research for the railways

14 January 2015. Ever since the beginnings of railway history in Switzerland, science and research have played an important role: the latest findings and innovative technologies have always been driving forces in the development history of Switzerland’s railway system.

To continue this system in the future, SBB extends the research agreements with the University of St.Gallen that have been in existence since 2009 by another five years. Furthermore, SBB is intensifying cooperation with the two Federal Institutes of Technology, ETH Zurich and EPFL, with equivalent cooperation agreements from January 2015 onwards. These cooperation ventures are also intended to create innovations for the further development of the Swiss railway system in the future.

Innovations for the Swiss railways

An Advisory Board made up of scientists from various Swiss universities and from SBB defines topics which will then be scrutinised by the universities’ scientific staff. SBB will invest CHF 150,000 p.a. per university in cooperation.

Current research fund increased further

As early as 2010, SBB also set up a research fund. From this year onwards, SBB will increase this fund by CHF 100,000 to a total of CHF 300,000 per annum. Issues relevant to public transport are publicly advertised, and researchers from all Swiss universities can apply with projects. The Advisory Board will select the most substantial approach and define the amount of financial support from the research fund.

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