On 7 March 2025, UIC organised a workshop which brought together key stakeholders to discuss the Translate4Rail tool, a language assistance solution designed to enhance railway communication. Participants included the Italian National Agency for Railway and Road Infrastructure Safety (ANSFISA), the Slovenian Railway Agency (AZP), and the French Public Railway Safety Establishment (EPSF), the TRANSLATE4RAIL Italian-Slovenian consortium, members of the Train Driver Communication project, UIC human and organisational factors (HOF) experts, and RailNetEurope.
Participants took part in interactive group exercises, testing real-world communication scenarios between train drivers and signallers. The discussions then shifted to safety considerations, focusing on:
- Risk assessments and safety activities conducted within the Translate4Rail project (Shift2Rail-funded)
- Continuation of safety activities within the Train Driver Communication project (UIC members’ project)
- Safety planning for the Italian-Slovenian pilot project within the T4RAIL-IT-SI project (EU Interreg-funded)
The workshop concluded with an open discussion on the operational acceptance of translation tools, necessary assessments, and regulatory compliance. Key takeaways included:
- Testing the tool with train drivers below B1 language proficiency
- Ensuring compliance with EU and national safety regulations
- Evaluating human and organisational factors (HOF) in implementation
- Addressing cybersecurity concerns and ensuring message traceability
To ensure ongoing collaboration and oversight, participants agreed to meet annually. Looking ahead, UIC and its partners will continue refining the tool, conducting further assessments, and ensuring alignment with safety standards and operational requirements.
UIC would like to express its gratitude to all of the participants for their valuable contributions and engagement in this critical discussion. Their insights and expertise will help shape the future of safe and efficient cross-border railway communication.
