8th Railway Technology Conference: Innovation flourishes when business, science and politics work closely together

Around 200 participants gathered in the main lecture theatre of Kiel University of Applied Sciences (HAW) on Thursday, 12 February 2026, to discuss innovative railway technology projects from the worlds of academia and industry and to network at the 8th Railway Technology Conference. The move of the conference from the Kiel Science Centre to the HAW had become necessary as the conference grows year on year. A sign of the format’s great success! 

In his welcoming address, Prof. Dr. Björn Christensen (President of Kiel University of Applied Sciences) emphasised how important issues relating to the "mobility of the future" are, particularly in the context of climate change. The aim of research and development is to produce market-ready solutions. In his welcoming address, Dr. Ulf Kämpfer (Lord Mayor of the state capital Kiel) looked back on the rail projects of the last 12 years, which he has overseen as Lord Mayor. The results are mixed: much has been achieved, whilst other projects have been delayed or have failed. He promises to continue to keep rail in focus from a state perspective in the future. 

Janine Kordes (Vice-President of the Kiel Chamber of Industry and Commerce) highlighted the necessary framework conditions: investment in Schleswig-Holstein could be higher. With the inclusion of "green mobility" in the Regional Innovation Strategy and the REAKT real-world laboratory, the course has been set in the right direction, allowing the sector to look to the future with optimism. Tim Hildebrandt (Chair of the Schleswig-Holstein Railway Technology Advisory Board) introduced the Advisory Board as a panel of experts. Politicians are encouraged to make greater and earlier use of this expertise. The rail system is characterised by a body of regulations that has evolved over time, ensuring safe operation but hindering innovation. The REAKT initiative is a key building block for innovative projects. This space should be used to explore new perspectives. 

Steffen Plogstert, an expert in light rail and metro services at Rambøll (Karlsruhe) and operations manager (in accordance with BOStrab) for the planned Kiel light rail system, outlined the differences between traditional trams and modern light rail systems in his presentation. The innovations relate to infrastructure and construction methods, as well as to energy and overhead line systems, vehicles, control and safety technology, operations and organisation, and safety and resilience.

The panel, moderated by Tim Hildebrandt, brought together various perspectives on the introduction of battery-powered trains in Schleswig-Holstein. In 2015, NAH.SH (panel participant Burkhard Schulze) decided to take a new approach in its tender for sustainable, zero-emission vehicles that did not require overhead lines. A major contract for 50 vehicles was put out to tender on an open-technology basis.  

After considering various scenarios, Stadler Rail AG (panel participant Jochen Lenz) opted for battery-powered trains and convinced NAH.SH with its concept. The project was also a first for Stadler Rail AG. The basic vehicle concept could be retained, the technical know-how was available, but experience was lacking and the arrangement of the components had to be changed. The biggest challenge was the necessary charging infrastructure. DB Energie (panel participant Kai Wittig) joined the project in 2017 as an expert in this field. Various innovative solutions for pantographs were also discussed in the area of charging infrastructure until a suitable one was found. 

Since the end of 2024, the first battery-powered trains have been operating in Schleswig-Holstein on the Kiel – Lübeck – Lüneburg route. The operator is erixx GmbH (panel participant Enrico Blohm). NBE nordbahn Eisenbahngesellschaft mbH & Co. KG (panel participant Dr Karsten Steinhoff) is also gradually converting its routes in Schleswig-Holstein to battery-powered trains. Initially, train drivers faced the greatest difficulties when charging the batteries. On several occasions, overhead lines were torn down when leaving stations. Thanks to greater experience and driver assistance systems, these problems have since been resolved. According to Dr Karsten Steinhoff, many factors were taken into account during the development of the new trains; nevertheless, some challenges only become apparent during operation.   

Prof. Dr Markus Hecht (former Head of the Rail Vehicles Department at the Institute of Land and Maritime Transport at TU Berlin) confirmed from a scientific perspective that the battery-powered trains in Schleswig-Holstein represent the best technological solution. The railway is not considered innovative because risk avoidance is the priority and innovations carry a certain degree of risk. Nevertheless, he advocates making use of the benefits of innovation. Electric traction means rapid acceleration, fewer staff, lower costs and fewer emissions. Prof. Hecht still sees a need for innovation in some areas: in his view, reliability and efficiency can be improved through, amongst other things, optimised maintenance, the use of AI or reducing speeds on branch lines. 

In conclusion, all participants agreed that this project demonstrates how innovative projects can be implemented provided the following conditions are met: a realistic and concrete goal, trust in the stakeholders involved, freedom in implementation, an understanding of the needs of all parties, and complementary skills. This requires mutual listening, a willingness to change, enjoyment of the project, and pulling together. 

State Secretary Susanne Henckel (MWVATT) brings a wealth of experience in the rail sector. In her opening remarks, she emphasised that rail also plays a major role in her current position, whether in relation to the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link or within the framework of the special fund. She aims to make the railways more sustainable, efficient, punctual and reliable. Achieving this ambitious goal for the state requires rail technology companies, well-trained specialists and close collaboration between politics, business and academia. The ‘export hit’ that is battery-powered trains is a fine example of innovation from Schleswig-Holstein and a step towards making the railways fit for the future. 

Prof. Dr. Reinhard von Hanxleden, speaking on behalf of the initiative, gave an introduction to the structures and activities of the REAKT DATIpilot innovation community. The initiative has five million euros at its disposal for research into innovative mobility concepts on the Malente–Lütjenburg test track. Seven planned projects were presented at this year’s conference. In addition to the already funded coordination project to establish a joint knowledge platform (Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Prange, DataTrain project), projects on the following topics were presented:

1. Shifting passenger and small goods transport to buses, trains and bicycles,
2. Development and implementation of an open, lightweight rail vehicle for rural areas,
3. Autonomous coupling of mobile, rail-bound platforms with remote monitoring,
4. Intelligent safety and assistance systems for passengers on autonomous local trains,
5. Solar-powered lead vehicles for reactivated branch lines, and
6. Autonomous rail vehicles & reactivation in rural tourism regions: rethinking evaluation. 

This glimpse into the future sparked discussions among the conference participants, which continued in earnest during the networking session that followed. At the “Market of Opportunities”, which was once again well attended, contacts between the worlds of politics, business and academia, as well as between students and companies, were further strengthened.