With the 2014 CBTC World Congress incorporating SmartMetro approaching quickly in London on 4-6^th November, SmartRail World Editor Luke Upton looks back on the 2013 event and picks out ten key speaker insights. At the 2013 event over 300 CBTC, signalling and IT experts gathered from across the world to engage with the most innovative trends and developments. This year’s event looks at metro and urban rail systems globally that are not only looking to exploit the potential of CBTC to drive reliability and efficiency, but also create intelligent integrated networks. As a taster, let’s look at some key insights from our 2013 speakers…

 “There’s a great rivalry between cities for global capital. What differentiates them is their transport system.”

– David Waboso, Capital Programmes Director, Transport For London

“Signalling improvements and developments have delivered very high reliability – 99% of our trains are on time.”

– Rory O’Neill, Acting Director, Docklands Light Railway

“China plans to build 87 mass transit rail lines, in 25 cities. If current trends continue towards 2050, Chinese cities will have account for at least half the world’s metro length.”

– Paul Cheeseman, Director, Chengdu Metro Project.

“CBTC has green credentials. Not only can it reduce the energy consumption of trains. But also can potentially help co-ordinate integrated transport information between different modes of public transport. It can encourage public transport use and decrease CO2 levels.”

– Wolfgang Siemens, Project Director, Siemens

The 5th annual CBTC World Congress and SmartMetro (London 4-6 November) is the definitive global gathering of CBTC and urban rail network professionals. With the needs of urban railways evolving and metros increasingly seeking greater integration to create more intelligent networks and industry suppliers must present themselves at the forefront of the industry to demonstrate they can meet these changing demands.

By Luke Upton, Editor, SmartRail World