World’s greatest railway experts in one place
Tenth International Conference on Railway Operations Modelling and Analysis (ICROMA) was held in Belgrade and gathered numerous railway experts from throughout the world.
On behalf of the host, participants of the „RailBelgrade 2023“ conference and numerous guests were greeted by Nebojša Bojović, PhD, dean of Faculty of Transport, expressing great pleasure that this year’s international conference was held in the capital of Serbia, that makes an effort for a number of years to fully position itself on the global map of scientific, research and expert community dedicated to railway development.
Opening the largest international railway sector conference, Goran Vesić, Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, stated that years of railway are upon us, and that the state will continue to further invest in the development of railway sector in Serbia, and in all of it professionals of transport sciences have key mission on expert, business, economical and cultural plan.
“I have an obligation, on this place where transport policies are created, to convey the large satisfaction of Serbian citizens that the railway renewal has finally began to happen. We constructed the Belgrade-Novi Sad high speed rail, 75 kilometers long and are very proud of it. That is the first high-speed rai in this part of Europe where trains move with speed of 200 km/h. Currently we are working on the railway from Novi Sad to Subotica, to Hungarian border, 108 km long, and when the Hungarian partners finish their section, in 2025, train ride between Belgrade and Budapest will last three hours. Recently we signed the contract with European Union, European Investment Bank and European Bank for Renewal and Development for construction of high speed rail to Niš, a new 235 km, which means that travel time between Belgrade and Niš will be 100 minutes. Today train travels around six hours. We are working on a section towards Bulgaria, from Niš to Dimitrovgrad, and we expect to renew and electrify almost 600 kilometers of regional railways. What I want to say is that we wish for our fast railways that we construct in Serbia and that connect us with Hungary, to connect us with all other countries of the region“, said the Minister.
„With colleagues from Italy and Slovenia I discussed the project of high speed rail from Belgrade to Venice and Austria, and we will soon hold a ministerial meeting of the countries on the route so our joint project could start moving. We definately have years of railways upon us“ concluded Vesić and announced that, as a minister, he will advocate closer cooperation of state and academic community as that is a proven formula for success.
President of IAROR, Rob Goverde, PhD, announced that during the three day conference 11 panels will be held, together with 33 sections and 109 presentations. Thus, almost all participants will have an opportunity to present their research and promote innovations in the railway.
Together with number of sponsors, conference organization and support were offered by companies from the railway sector and Railway Directorate.