Enhancing Rail Safety: UIC’s Focus on Signalling, Human Factors, and System Standards

On 5 November 2025, the International Union of Railways (UIC) hosted a landmark webinar focusing on the European Train Control System (ETCS) and the role of human and organisational factors (HOF) in modern railway operations. The event drew over 100 participants, including engineers, safety specialists, and operational managers from across Europe, highlighting the growing recognition that technological innovation alone is insufficient to guarantee safety and efficiency in complex rail systems. ETCS, as a cornerstone of European rail signalling, provides standardised train control that enables interoperable cross-border operations, higher line capacity, and improved operational safety. However, integrating ETCS into real-world rail environments is not merely a technical task; it also requires careful consideration of human operators, organisational processes, and cultural differences across countries. By convening experts in a structured exchange, UIC created a forum for discussing challenges such as human-machine interaction, communication protocols, fatigue management, and the variation in operational procedures across national networks. The webinar underscored that aligning technical signalling systems with human factors is essential to prevent errors, ensure consistent decision-making, and maintain the highest safety standards when trains traverse multiple jurisdictions.

The webinar followed a June 2025 workshop and produced a detailed report alongside a structured plan for ongoing expert collaboration. The key objective of this initiative is to merge ETCS technical standards with an empirical understanding of how human operators interact with signalling systems under varying operational conditions. Participants analysed scenarios including multi-language communication barriers, differences in national safety protocols, and cross-border operational complexities that can challenge even highly automated signalling systems. The report identifies potential risks arising from these human and organisational factors, and recommends strategies for mitigation, such as standardised training programs, harmonised operating procedures, and integrated monitoring of human performance. The continuing expert exchange aims to maintain a dynamic feedback loop between technology developers and operational personnel, ensuring that updates to ETCS and related systems are informed by the realities of everyday rail operation. This proactive, evidence-based approach helps anticipate issues before they manifest as safety incidents, supporting the broader European vision of a seamless, high-performing railway network.

Ultimately, UIC’s emphasis on combining technical signalling standards with human factors and organisational considerations is a strategic step toward harmonised and resilient rail operations across Europe. By integrating safety protocols, operational best practices, and cultural awareness into ETCS deployment, the organisation mitigates risks associated with differing national regulations and operational cultures. This approach is particularly crucial for cross-border routes, where trains encounter diverse regulatory frameworks, infrastructure characteristics, and operational expectations. Through initiatives like this webinar, UIC fosters a culture of continuous improvement, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among railway professionals, ensuring that advancements in automation, digital signalling, and interoperability translate into tangible safety and performance benefits. In the long term, such efforts not only enhance operational reliability and passenger confidence but also set a global benchmark for the integration of technical systems with human-centred safety practices, reinforcing Europe’s leadership in railway innovation and governance.