ÖBB Infrastructure as a driver of innovation - Perspectives on digitisation and automation in railway infrastructure.

Mobility is a basic need for people and society, so the steady growth of transport need will continue. The railway system is always in competition with other modes of transport and therefore has to improve productivity - within European and national requirements and specifications. The demands and wishes of customers are also changing; issues like industry 4.0, climate change, energy efficiency or digitisation are increasingly significant. ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG is responsible for planning, building and operating the railway infrastructure in Austria. Current trends like digitisation and automation can show the way for the further strategic orientation. Innovation in all areas of the railway system is necessary to reach the focused goals. This can be obtained by participation in European or national research projects or by specific research on current issues. Digitisation, big data, visualisation and automation are promising solutions for the identified fields of activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]