LIVE IN BRUSSELS AND ONLINE 12 & 13 March 2026
Driver Training. New Operating Protocols. Retrofitting & Maintenance. Standardisation. Funding.
12 & 13 March 2026, Brussels
Driver Training. New Operating Protocols. Retrofitting & Maintenance. Standardisation. Funding.
12 & 13 March 2026, Brussels
The team at Strategy Engineering Research Group would like to thank every speaker, sponsor, and attendee who contributed to making the ETCS Business Readiness Conference such a high-value initiative. This was a rare space for candid, practitioner-led discussions about what is required to make ETCS work—not just on paper, but in practice, under pressure, and across diverse operational contexts.
Not Just a Signalling System—A Whole-System Transformation, Led by Operators
Over 90% of the presentations came directly from rail operators and infrastructure owners, with real-world operational experience at the forefront. Complementing this were a handful of focused vendor contributions—from Transurb, Rail Professional Development, and The Signalling Company, as well as panel contributions from the CEO of the IRSE, and marketing support from Rail Engineer.
Tech’s Not the Problem—Alignment Is. And That’s Where We Focused
The consistent theme across all sessions was clear: ETCS is an organisational transformation, not just a signalling system.
Speakers from across the industry—from Govia Thameslink, GB Railfreight, Network Rail and Grand Central to Rio Tinto’s ETCS level 2 mining railway in Australia, ETCS Level 2 implementation in Delhi, India and ProRail in the Netherlands—made the same point: Success depends on people, process and integration. That means confidence. That means capability. And that means cutting across departmental silos to deliver change in live operations.
One of the most refreshing aspects of this meeting was its unwavering focus on practical solutions, rather than merely restating problems. The tone was clear from the start: this was about sharing real-world experiences, hard-won lessons, and what’s working on the ground.
You Can’t Outsource Readiness—You Have to Build It Yourself
Speakers came ready, not with abstract reflections, but with slide after slide of concrete, actionable strategies. From building centralised business readiness teams to running cross-functional impact and risk assessments, to reducing over-reliance on external consultants and investing in internal capability, the emphasis was on implementation, not theory.
The Chair tallied over 300 actionable takeaways and practical recommendations, all of which are directly relevant to rail operators and infrastructure managers navigating the ETCS transformation.
Why We’re Taking ETCS Business Readiness to Brussels In 2026
The overwhelming feedback was that these challenges—change fatigue, capability gaps, and system integration—are not unique to the UK. The same pain points are shared across regions and modes, from ERTMS leaders in the Netherlands to potential high-speed initiatives in Turkey.
That’s why we’re running a European edition in Brussels on 12–13 March 2026. The aim?
To share operator-led insight on:
Simulation Moved from the Margins to the Main Stage
One thing attendees repeatedly told us: having simulation demos in the networking area was a game-changer. No longer a ‘techie extra,’ simulation is now central to business readiness. It has evolved beyond full-cab simulators to include portable yet highly sophisticated desktop solutions, smaller-scale cabin mock-ups, iPad- and mobile-friendly tools, supporting YouTube-driven refreshers, and confidence-building workflows that help teams feel prepared for degraded mode and unexpected scenarios.
We’ll double down on this in Brussels, with even more hands-on demos and practical discussion on training that works within existing OPEX budgets.
A Full 400-page report is available from July 11, 2025, capturing not only the presentations and Q&A but also the real-world checklists, takeaways, and potential strategic recommendations that teams can use to maintain momentum.
You’ll also find some key takeaways highlighted in the moving image carousel above. And if you’d like to stay informed or help shape future agendas, consider joining our growing, operator-led community. Refer to the page located in the top bar for details.
