Transforming the future of railway

“At ASC, our goal is to help shape the future of transport and mobility through value-adding analog, digital and smart inertial sensor solutions,” explains Renate Bay, Managing Director of ASC Sensors. “To that end, we’ve decided to join RailCampus OWL as we share the network's vision of developing and advancing novel solutions to enhance global rail transport.”

Unique collaboration platform

No one examining the world's carbon footprint can ignore the huge opportunity that lies in the world’s railway systems: Sustainable CO2-neutral growth can only be achieved through transporting significantly more people and goods by rail.

However, to realize the full potential of rail mobility, innovative technologies are required. Rail operations and all essential components need to seamlessly integrate, connect and communicate with each other in order to achieve game-changing benefits on a global scale.

This is what RailCampus OWL (RailCampus) is all about: a strong expert network and collaboration platform driving research and the practical implementation of digital transformation in the rail sector. Headquartered in Minden, Germany, it offers a unique platform for professional exchange and the joint development and testing of novel, sustainable railway solutions. Several regional universities and academic institutions, Deutsche Bahn as a major European railway operator, a range of specialized manufacturers and local authorities all work together to create an unprecedented ecosystem for intelligent, efficient, connected railway technology ready for the future.

Shaping the future together

Improved railway efficiency is key for sustainable mobility. Not only does RailCampus provide collaborative space for academic research, studies and training. It also enables hands-on development, engineering and testing to turn scientific hypotheses into tangible real-word outcomes.

The network’s focus is to define, implement and coordinate a railway innovation ecosystem of research, education, businesses and regulatory authorities that improves the smooth running and further uptake of smart rail networks of improved safety, capacity and overall productivity.

In particular, through its members and in collaboration with third parties, the RailCampus network seeks to make a difference over today’s standards in the following areas:

• Technology: pool interests and strengthen the framework for the implementation of ‘smart’ railway technology 
• Transfer: create a collaboration platform to transfer relevant knowledge and catalyze scientific dialogue
• Qualification: initiate and promote value-adding training programs 
• Innovation: establish a regional, national and European research campus for innovative railway systems • Integration: support the conversion of research into real-world applications

Critical sensor technology

The safe, economical operation of railway networks as well as critical rail infrastructure offers immense potential for automation. To that end, highly precise, robust yet also affordable sensor technology represents a firm part of all concepts to strengthen future railway success.

“As an original manufacturer specializing in the customized design and production of flexible inertial sensor systems, including a wide range of digital and smart sensors, we see RailCampus as an invaluable opportunity to learn and contribute our own expertise and cutting-edge sensor technologies,” says Bay.

“Intense exchange and trustful collaboration will facilitate the conception and testing of new approaches and previously unimaginable ideas. Anything making it to market will be based firmly on the needs of rail transport and infrastructure providers. By joining RailCampus, at ASC we look forward to making meaningful further contributions to the safe, efficient, sustainable future of railway mobility.”