Railway Forum Napoli
6-7 November 2025RAILWAY FORUM 2025
Slab track:
Advanced solutions for railway, underground
and tramway track systems
Dates: 6 – 7 November 2025
Location: Napoli, Italy
Venue: The National Railway Museum of Pietrarsa, Napoli
Organizers:
Union of European Railway Engineer Associations (UEEIV)
Collegio Ingegneri Ferroviari Italiani (CIFI)
TOPIC
Advanced solutions for railway, underground and tramway track systems
Next years Railway Forum will be held in the beautiful city of Napoli with the cooperation of our Italian member Association CIFI.
The Pietrarsa Railway Museum offers a breathtaking setting in midst vintage locomotives and a stunning terrace facing the Mediterranean sea. We are looking forward to a captivating programm on the topic of Slab Track.
CALL FOR PAPERS
Slab Track Forum
2nd International Scientific and Technical Conference
Modern Technologies in Planning, Construction, and Maintenance of Slab Track Systems – 2025
UEEIV and CIFI are proud to announce an exciting and highly relevant international conference in Naples, Italy. UEEIV, the Union of European Railway Engineer Associations, represents the interests of railway engineers and suppliers across Europe. CIFI, the Italian Association of Railway Engineers, serves as the professional body for railway engineers in Italy.
Both organizations have a long history of hosting conferences, discussions, and seminars on rail infrastructure and technology. This event marks the first collaboration between UEEIV and CIFI to jointly promote best practices, address shared challenges, and explore innovations in slab track systems for high-speed railways.
The seminar, titled “Slab Track Forum”, aligns closely with Europe’s current and future strategies for expanding high-speed rail networks and modernizing urban public transport systems.
The conference will be held in the vibrant city of Naples, renowned for its rich history, dynamic culture, and its pivotal role in the development of Italy’s railway infrastructure. Participants will have the chance to engage with leading experts, share insights, and explore cutting-edge approaches to the design, construction, and maintenance of slab track systems.
The program includes keynote speeches, technical and interactive presentations led by distinguished professionals in the field. In addition, the exhibition will showcase the latest technologies and innovations in slab track systems. There will also be plenty of opportunity for networking during the coffee breaks, lunch and the networking dinner.
On Saturday we will offer the option to participate in an excursion visiting the Metro Napoli line art stations including the visit of some of the most important sights of the city.
Don’t miss this exceptional opportunity to join an international platform dedicated to advancing slab track technology and fostering collaboration across the global railway industry.
Organising Committee
Dipl.-Ing. Olaf Scholtz-Knobloch
President of the Union of European Railway Engineer Associations
Mag. (FH) Charlotte Gebhart
UEEIV Communication & Event Management
Dipl. Ing. Marco Broglia
Vice President, Union of European Railway Engineer Associations
Ing. Modestino Ferraro
President of CIFI Naples section
Conference Goals
The seminar will focus on key topics related to slab track technology, addressing challenges, innovations, and best practices. The following themes will be covered:
Adapting to Diverse Conditions: Exploring alternatives to accommodate varying railway terrain, geological conditions, existing infrastructure, and proposed horizontal and vertical alignments.
Noise and Vibration: Assessing the impacts of different configurations and systems on noise and vibration levels.
Performance in Tunnels, bridges, switches and crossings: Comparing the performance characteristics of standard versus resilient slab track systems in tunnel, bridges, switches and crossings.
life cost analyses – Techno-economic comparisons between slab and conventional railway track.
Efficient Maintenance: Strategies for the replacement or renewal of slab track units during overnight possessions to minimize disruption.
Earthworks and Settlement Mitigation: Managing significant-height earthworks, including measures to address settlement during construction and maintenance.
Transition Zones: Designing and implementing effective transitions between ballasted and slab track systems at high speeds, with a focus on linking to existing railways.
Programme Overview
Thursday, 6 November
General topic: High speed and conventional lines
9:00 – 18:00 Full day conference including exhibition, coffee breaks and lunch
19:30 Networking Dinner
Friday, 7 November
General topic: Public transportation
9:00 – 18:00 Full day conference including exhibition, coffee breaks and lunch
Saturday, 8 November
09.30 – 13.00 Excursion to the Naples followed by lunch
Scientific & Program Committee
Dr. Ing. Valerio Giovine
General Secretary of CIFI
Ing. Franco Iacobini
Track Engineer Emeritus, RFI
Jacek Paś, PhD. Eng.
Chairman of the Committee, Association of Engineers and Technicians of Transportation of the Republic of Poland National Board, President of SITK RP
Dipl.-Ing. Dr. techn. Bernhard Knoll
Vice President, Union of European Railway Engineer Associations
Ass. Prof. Dr. Eng. Mario Galabov
Vice President, Union of European Railway Engineer Associations
Branislav Boskovic, PhD
Full professor at Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering, University of Belgrade
Dipl.-Ing. Sebastian Belz
Secretary General, European Platform of Transport Scientists
Conference Information
Venue: National Railway Museum Pietrarsa, Naples, Italy
Dates:
Main conference: November 6–7, 2025
Excursion: November 8, 2025
Contact Information:
UEEIV – Union of European Railway Engineer Associations
Kaiserstraße 61, 60329 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
VR: 10234
Email: sekretariat@ueeiv.eu
Submission Guidelines
We invite engineers, researchers, and industry professionals to submit abstracts on topics related to the conference themes.
Abstract Submission Requirements:
- Format: Microsoft Word or PDF
- Length: Maximum 300 words
- Language: English
- Deadline for Abstract Submission: April 30, 2025
- Notification of Acceptance: May 31, 2025
Submission of final paper:
- Length: Full papers should not exceed 15 pages, including figures and references.
- Format: Word document or PDF
- Deadline: October 15, 2025
Details for the final presentation:
- Duration: 20 minutes, followed by a 10-minute Q&A session
- Format: PowerPoint (16:9 aspect ratio)
Sumbit your paper here
SPONSORING & EXHIBITION
We offer the option to book an exbihition stand, programme insert, sponsored presentations, etc.
If you are interesting in sponsoring options, please contact us at sekretariat@ueeiv.eu
REGISTRATION FEES
The Registration fees for UEEIV members differ depending on the country of origin taking into account different standards of living.
REGISTRATION FEES – ONSITE PARTICIPATION
| ONSITE | Members of VDEI, SITK, ÖVG, GdI, PWI, HDZI, VdeA, SVSD |
Members of CIFI, AIFR, NGSRTE, WTVV (NTST), ZID, SARTE (DIZS), DEMUHDER |
Non-Member |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | 375 € | 160 € | 425 € |
| Regular without dinner | – | 100 € | – |
| Students under 27 or Delegate of Government Institution* | 190 € | 125 € | 240 € |
| Students under 27 or Delegate of Government Institution without dinner* | – | 75 € | – |
Onsite participation includes 2 coffee breaks and a lunch during 2 days of conference as well as a networking dinner on 6 November unless otherwise specified.
*UEEIV Members need to submit proof of membership from their Association
*Students are required to submit proof of affiliation with a University
*Delegate of Government Insitutions are required to submit proof of employment with a Government Institution
The above mentioned fees are exclusive of VAT. The UEEIV is an association and organizes this conference without any intention of profit. VAT does not apply.
REGISTRATION FEES – VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION
| Members of VDEI, SITK, ÖVG, GdI, PWI, HDZI, VdeA, SVSD (ZSVTS) |
Members of CIFI, AIFR, NGSRTE, WTVV (NTST), ZID, SARTE (DIZS), DEMUHDER |
Non-Member | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | 190 € | 60 € | 240 € |
| Students under 27 or Delegate of Government Institution* | 80 € | 45 € | 120 € |
Onsite participation includes 2 coffee breaks and a lunch during 2 days of conference as well as a networking dinner on 6 November unless otherwise specified.
*UEEIV Members need to submit proof of membership from their Association
*Students are required to submit proof of affiliation with a University
*Delegate of Government Insitutions are required to submit proof of employment with a Government Institution
The above mentioned fees are exclusive of VAT. The UEEIV is an association and organizes this conference without any intention of profit. VAT does not apply.