RSSB will use InnoTrans 2026 to strengthen relationships with its growing international affiliate network and explore new opportunities for collaboration across safety, performance and sustainability.
Membership Development Managers Sunny Rana and Ian Swain will represent RSSB at the event, meeting existing affiliates as well as operators, manufacturers, suppliers and technology businesses from across the global rail sector.
As one of the world’s largest rail exhibitions, InnoTrans provides RSSB with an opportunity to take British rail safety expertise to an international audience while learning from organisations operating in different regulatory and operational environments.
Building international rail relationships
RSSB’s presence comes as the organisation continues to develop its relationships beyond the British railway.
Its affiliate model enables organisations to access RSSB research, guidance, tools, training and specialist expertise, while creating opportunities for knowledge exchange between organisations facing similar challenges in different rail markets.
That international dimension has become increasingly visible. RSSB recently strengthened its relationship with South Africa’s Railway Safety Regulator, combining affiliation with consultancy engagement around areas including safety risk modelling, standards and regulatory frameworks.
InnoTrans provides another opportunity to develop those relationships face-to-face and understand where RSSB’s experience could support operators and suppliers internationally.
During the event, Rana and Swain are due to meet affiliates including GMT Rubber-Metal-Technic, Oleo International, Petards Rail Solutions, Qatar Rail and Wavetrain Systems.
The organisations span areas including vibration and suspension systems, impact protection, onboard technology, condition monitoring, passenger transport operations and wheel-rail monitoring.
Knowledge exchange goes both ways
For the British rail industry, RSSB’s international engagement also creates opportunities to bring experience and innovation from other networks back into the UK.
Railways around the world are confronting many of the same challenges, from managing ageing infrastructure and adopting new technologies to improving workforce competence, understanding emerging risks and reducing environmental impact.
Creating stronger links between infrastructure managers, operators, technology companies and safety specialists can therefore provide a useful route for sharing approaches that have already been tested elsewhere.
RSSB affiliation provides organisations with access to research and safety innovation projects, industry guidance, training and capability development, risk management expertise and specialist consultancy support.
It also covers areas including operational efficiency, accident investigation, non-technical skills and human factors.
For suppliers exhibiting at InnoTrans, the relationship can provide another route into conversations around how technology interacts with railway standards, operational risk and safety requirements, particularly as new digital systems move from development into deployment.
With thousands of rail businesses and decision-makers gathering at InnoTrans, RSSB’s attendance reflects a wider opportunity for the UK’s rail safety and standards expertise to play a more prominent role internationally, while strengthening the flow of knowledge and innovation back into Britain’s railway.
