InnoTrans can now commence: a record number of exhibitors from 61 countries, 3,062 companies from the industry as well as institutions, will be represented on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds.
But not only are exhibitor numbers the best-ever: more than 400 innovations from the global rail sector will be on display from 18 to 21 September 2018, with 146 of them making their international debut. On the unique Outdoor Display as well as on the Bus Display, trade visitors will be able to assess 155 vehicles and, in some cases, test drive them too. At more than 62 per cent, foreign participation remains at its usual high level. This is an indication that InnoTrans continues to be the leading marketing platform for the world’s rail industry. During these four days in Berlin over 130,000 trade visitors from every continent are expected to attend.
Dr. Christian Göke, chief executive officer of Messe Berlin GmbH: “More concentrated, more innovative, more informative – this is what trade visitors from all over the world will find at the twelfth InnoTrans. Once again we have broken the previous record, set in 2016, and achieved new best-ever figures for the number of exhibitors, vehicles on display, and items making their first international appearance.”
Matthias Steckmann, divisional head of Mobility & Services at Messe Berlin GmbH: “InnoTrans is now well-established internationally as the outstanding platform for the industry. Not only is it the world’s leading trade fair for the rail sector, but it has now become established as an essential platform for every aspect of local passenger transport too.“
Over two-thirds of exhibitors are from abroad
Companies and institutions from a total of 61 countries are using InnoTrans 2018 to present new or improved products, systems and offers. All the global players from the railway world are attending, along with 33 of the world’s most important industrial and technical associations from 17 countries. Around two thirds of the exhibitors are from abroad, and in particular from France, Italy and China. The reputation of InnoTrans as the industry’s number one platform for innovations and communication is also confirmed by the many decision-makers who have announced their intention of attending. For all those who come to this leading international trade fair it offers the best possible range of services to enable them to meet their required target groups, and to establish or strengthen contacts with them.
As in previous years, the proportion of exhibitors from outside Europe has again risen, with the largest increases being from India and Taiwan. Once again the Japanese joint booth occupies an entire exhibition hall. Furthermore 25 high ranking business delegations from some 18 countries are expected on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds during InnoTrans 2018, for example, from Abu Dhabi, India and the USA.
Supporting programme with some new highlights
Electro-mobility is a massive trend and also features widely at InnoTrans, both in the exhibition and in the outstanding supporting programme. Successfully introduced in 2016, the Bus Display has ten buses on show this year. The International Bus Forum has been introduced this year to accompany this display and augment its subject matter. It takes place on the third day of the trade fair (20 Sept.) and takes as its theme ‘Electric buses in public transport – The solution to attaining clean air and climate targets in urban transport?’ The Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) is responsible for the content of this new forum.
Also in tune with the times is the complex of issues surrounding digitization and smart interconnectedness. In this same field and making its debut at the trade fair is the HackTrain Hackathon powered by InnoTrans. During the fair elite teams of innovators comprising 80 developers, designers and start-up entrepreneurs from all over the world will be developing prototype apps, software and websites for the rail sector. During the afternoon of the last day (21 Sept.) the four leading teams will be competing with one another in the final round, culminating in the naming of the winner of this technology marathon.
Customers everywhere are becoming more demanding, and this trend is also apparent in the rail sector. Trade visitors at InnoTrans can find a suitable product portfolio in the Travel Catering und Comfort Services segment in Hall 1.1. A new feature in this same context is the Onboard Hospitality Forum on the second day of the trade fair (19 Sept.) at the CityCube Berlin. This is being organised by Onboard Hospitality Magazine and the International Rail Catering Group (IRCG). Once again a special tour has been arranged for trade visitors, taking them to the booths of exhibitors in the Travel Catering und Comfort Services section.
Nowadays, InnoTrans also serves as a major platform for careers, both for its exhibiting companies as well, as for newcomers to the industry. The human resources representatives of various companies are on hand in the Career Pavilion in Hall 7.1c to answer questions from anyone who is interested in taking up employment in this field. The Career Forum provides some interesting technical lectures and fascinating panel discussions, and students can take advantage of the free daily tours offered by Career Tours. This year’s Career Award winners from Australia, Italy, Canada, the USA and Germany, who have won a trip to InnoTrans through their national associations, have also been invited as guests of the trade fair.
InnoTrans Convention – Discussion platform for the subjects of the future
The InnoTrans Convention is the international meeting place for leading decision-makers from business, politics and transport. There will be fascinating panel discussions and talks between groups of experts, enabling international trade visitors to obtain an interdisciplinary overview of current and future topics dealing with mobility.
The main focus of the Dialog Forum at the Palais am Funkturm from 19 to 21 September will be on Railways 4.0, the digitization of new mobility services and Innovation Pathways 4.0, as well as the future management and control system ERTMS. It takes place under the aegis of the DVF (German Transport Forum), VDV (Association of German Transport Companies), UNIFE (Association of the European Rail Industry) and VDB (German Railway Industry Association).
The dominant theme at the Rail Leaders’ Summit (RLS) on 18 September in Hall 7.3, attended by transport ministers and the director generals of international transport companies, will be that of ‘RAILtropolis – The future of cities is rail’. The responsibility for planning and staging this invitation-only event is in the hands of Deutsche Bahn AG, the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, and Messe Berlin GmbH.
The International Design Forum on 19 September at the CityCube Berlin is concerned with design aspects associated with local public transport and its content is under the supervision of the International Design Center Berlin (IDZ).
The International Tunnel Forum on 19 and 20 September at the CityCube Berlin accompanies the segment of the trade fair devoted to Tunnel Construction and comprises two compact forums for discussions about long term objectives and current challenges in the construction and operation of tunnels. It is organised by the Research Association for Underground Transportation (STUVA).
The Public Transport Forum on 20 September in Hall 7.3 examines the developments taking place in local public transport. This forum has been set up by the Transport Planning Office (PBV) and Gauff.com, a company specialising in consultancy, planning and implementation of infrastructural projects.
The International Bus Forum, which is being held for the first time at InnoTrans, is addressing the subject of ‘Electric buses in local public transport’ and takes place on 20 September in Hall 7.3. The Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) is responsible for organising the subject matter.
The DB Innovation Forum on 20 September, which is being organised by Deutsche Bahn AG at the CityCube Berlin, focuses on joint efforts in the planning of intermodal mobility.
Innovative, more innovative – InnoTrans
With its role as an internationally important stage for presenting innovations, InnoTrans confirms its position as the world’s leading trade fair for transport technology. For example, in advance of the trade fair 403 exhibitors from 35 countries have announced that they will be presenting their latest products, systems and services as well as world premieres. The wide selection of innovations is evident in all five segments of InnoTrans: Railway Technology, Railway Infrastructure, Public Transport, Interiors and Tunnel Construction. For example, Flexicon Ltd. from the UK is exhibiting new, flexible protective tubing solutions for use in railway engineering. The cement company Betonwerk Rieder GmbH from Austria is presenting a new kind of platform edge with built-in noise protection. RosInno Ltd. from Russia is exhibiting TransportTV, a new infotainment platform for use in public transport. The German company Metawell GmbH is displaying a new flooring system with built-in sound insulation and heating. From Switzerland, Brügger HTB GmbH is using InnoTrans to provide details about its innovative developments for cleaning tunnels.
There are also numerous innovations on show on the Outdoor Display as well as on the Bus Display. They include the Avelia HorizonTM , a double-decker very high-speed train made by the French company Alstom. CRRC Corporation Limited from China is exhibiting its new shunting locomotive powered by a hybrid AC unit, which has been designed for use on European railways. And Solaris Bus & Coach S.A. from Poland is presenting its Urbino 12 electric, a lightweight electric city bus that is robust, quiet and eco-friendly.
Stadler is exhibiting seven completely new vehicles, all featuring innovative developments including a new, lightweight, low-maintenance bogie. The “Velaro Novo” from Siemens Mobility, which is making its world debut, is a new, highly economical, sustainable and comfortable vehicle concept for high speed trains. One of the items from Vossloh AG is also is also making its world premiere at the trade fair: a compact, Multi Purpose Milling machine for dealing with hotspots on the track on mainline and local routes. Visitors will be eagerly awaiting the train of ideas from DB Regio, which promises a unique customer experience for the regional train services of the future and is also making its international debut.
Once again Messe Berlin has published its Innovation Report, available at www.innotrans.de/en/Press/Innovations/, which contains details of all the innovative developments and world premieres to be found at InnoTrans 2018. So-called Innovation Tours are also taking place each day. On selected booths leading representatives of various companies will be reporting on their latest innovations and world premieres and will also be answering participants’ questions. Each tour lasts approximately 90 minutes.
Public days on 22 and 23 September
InnoTrans provides a unique opportunity to find out more about the fascinating world of railways, not only for international experts but also for interested members of the public: on 22 and 23 September the Outdoor Display on the Messe Berlin grounds will be open all day to all, and younger rail enthusiasts are especially welcome. More rolling stock and vehicles than ever before, 145 in all, can be seen this year. Exhibits range from the old steam locomotive “Emma”, which is still operating, to the very latest train of idea from Deutsche Bahn at the South Entrance. The public will be admitted to the Messe Berlin Outdoor Display on the Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Admission for adults is just three euros and for children under 14 it is free.
