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Track to the Future - iaf 2022 opens its gates in two weeks
Under the motto "Track to the Future", the 28th International Exhibition of Track Technology (iaf) will take place in Münster from 31 May to 2 June 2022. More than 120 international exhibitors will present new and innovative products and services to thousands of visitors from over 60 countries. As a special highlight, the organisers welcome Poland as this year's guest country. With this, the association acknowledges the positive development of the Polish railway infrastructure and the planned modernisation steps in the coming years.
The fair is taking place under the patronage of the German Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and Transport, Dr Volker Wissing. In his welcoming address, Wissing emphasises the role of the railway as the means of transport of the future, which has a decisive role to play in achieving the ambitious climate targets. Passenger numbers are to be increased and the share of freight transport handled by rail is to be significantly increased. However, this can only succeed if the rail system is continuously modernised and made more attractive. Therefore, the public sector will invest massively in the coming years and create a modern, high-performance infrastructure.
The iaf has enjoyed an excellent reputation in the railway construction industry for decades. Many exhibitors look forward to being able to present their machines and products under realistic conditions: directly on the track in the ballast bed. With 10,000 m2 of hall space, 6,000 m2 of open space and more than 3,000 m of track, the iaf offers a representative overview of the industry like no other.
iaf shows the technology of the future
As in the past, this year's iaf will once again live up to its role as the world's leading fair for track technology. Dr Siegfried Krause, iaf Trade Fair Director and Managing Director of VDEI Service GmbH, is expecting an exciting 28th edition of the trade fair: “We are delighted that so many exhibitors are remaining loyal to our trade fair and will once again be presenting their solutions to the most pressing challenges facing our industry this year. These include the shortage of skilled workers, the need to reduce CO2 in the face of climate change and, of course, digitalisation. And this time, too, there will be some absolute world premieres to see.”
These world premieres mainly include machines with a higher degree of automation, alternative drives and the use of digital technologies. These innovations illustrate how much the industry is willing to support the developments outlined by Federal Minister Wissing.
Opening & Guided Tour
The Association of German Railway Engineers (VDEI) is pleased to have Frank Sennhenn, the Chairman of the Management Board of DB Netz AG, join them for the opening of the trade fair. Sennhenn will give a keynote speech on current topics in track technology at the opening on 31 May 2022.
As part of the opening ceremony, the association's sponsorship award for outstanding work by young engineers from the railway sector, endowed with € 3,000, will also be presented. Eight colleges or universities and three fields of study are represented among the submissions.
This is followed by the official guided tour of the trade fair, during which the guests of honour, accompanied by the association, traditionally visit the trade fair grounds and in particular the world premieres represented at the iaf, which are presented by the respective company representatives.
Free visitor registration
The iaf offers interested visitors the opportunity to register in advance free of charge. Those who would like to visit the fair can do so at the following web address: www.iaf-messe.com/en/visitor-registration
Safe visit thanks to 3-G rules and test centre
In order to ensure a safe visit to the fair, the event will be held in accordance with the applicable security regulations, currently these are the 3-G rules. Visitor passes are personalised, relevant certificates can be deposited online and linked to the respective pass. This will speed up ongoing checks when entering the fairgrounds. During the entire duration of the fair, a test centre will be set up near the entrance where people who do not have a current certificate can be tested and given access to the fair grounds with a negative result.