He worked as Engineer in Signalling Centralization Blocking, Head of Centralisation Remote Control Department, Installation Manager CFR SA (1998-2000, 2003-2005) and Service Manager AFER (2001-2003, 2005-2009). Since 2009 until 2012 he has been Executive Manager AFER and since 2012 he has been occupying the position of Scientific Secretary within the same company. He represented CFR SA at UIC for the projects on interoperability. He was Associate Professor at the Technical University in Cluj-Napoca in 1992/1993 and 1993/1994 and professor at the Polytechnics University in Bucharest since 1999, where he introduced the classes Track control elements and the operation of railway remote control equipments and transport management. Ioan Buciuman elaborated several technical and scientific works on railway remote control and railway transport management and published speciality books in 1983, 1988, 2002 and 2008. In 2006, he obtained his PhD from the Polytechnics University in Bucharest, with the thesis “Contributions to the modernization and maintenance of the command-control-signalling installations in Romania in view of achieving the interoperability in the Trans-European railway transport”.

Jean-Pierre Loubinoux was born in 1956. A graduate of the Ecole Centrale Paris, he worked at the French Foreign Trade Delegation to Hong Kong (1977-1978) before joining French railways SNCF in 1978, where he held various responsibilities including Director of the SNCF General Delegation in North-America and Chief Executive of French Railways UK Ltd in Britain. He then joined the SNCF Freight Department where he successively managed the Coal-Steel Business Unit and the Human Resources, Data Processing and Finance Department before being appointed Chief Executive of SNCF Freight International (2001) and from 2001 to 2009 Chairman and CEO of SNCF International and SNCF Director of International Development. In March 2009, Jean-Pierre Loubinoux was appointed Director-General of the International Union of Railways (UIC), the worldwide association representing the rail sector and encompassing 200 railways across all the continents. His mandate was renewed at the June 2010 UIC General Assembly in Tokyo and is set to run until March 2013. Jean-Pierre Loubinoux has been awarded the Legion of Honour and is a holder of the Silver Medal of the French Ministry of Equipment, Transport and Tourism. In September 2011, Jean-Pierre Loubinoux received his insignia as Commander of the French National Order of Merit – one of the highest decorations in France along with the Legion of Honour.

Mr. Chiper graduated in 1994, from the “Politehnica” University of Bucharest, Faculty of Transport - Rolling Stock Section, and has a diploma in mechanical engineering. Marius Chiper has began his activity as locomotive engineer in former SNCFR in 1994, and he had a technical evolution as Technical Inspector at AFER, Chief of Railway Division at a private Railway Undertaking, Project Manager and Chief of Project Management Unit at CFR. Currently he is General Manager of CFR SA.

After working 5 years at SNCFR, in 1999 he joined the team of inspectors at the Romanian Railway Authority – AFER, in the field of railway safety. He militated for the implementation of the European regulation framework in the Romanian legislation and the creation of the adequate institutional support structure. After having worked in the private sector, where he contributed to the promotion of railway transport and the opportunities provided by the Romanian market at international level, in 2009 he became, once again, director of OIFR. Currently, he is General Manager of AFER.

His scientific career started in 2002 when he joined the Institute for Railway Engineering at Vienna University of Technology. In 2005 he graduated as a Ph.D. by submission of his thesis “Choice of Location for Wayside Train Monitoring Systems”. He was involved in several studies for Infra Managers to cover their network by WTMS in a safe and economic way. Finally, he became a Docent for the area of railway operation in 2011. Moreover he carried out many studies by simulation of railway operation to compare headways between conventional signalling and the new European Train Control System (ETCS).

Mr. Frumosu has more than 30 years experience of railways development in an international environment. Graduated as a Transport Engineer in Romania, developed his education with an MBA from Oxford Brookes University and a PhD in Development Strategy at the Academy of Economics, currently studying Commercial Law at University of London. In UK he worked on the first PPP initiative in urban transportation – privatisation of Norther Line passenger services of London Underground. Subsequently his career spanned for more than two decades on railways projects in Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia. Since 2014 he joined the EIB as Senior Transport Expert for project implementation support to the SOP-T beneficiaries.

Born on 8 November 1961, Mr Oţoiu Marcel is now the General Manager of the Romanian National Centre for Railway Qualification and Training (CENAFER). He ensures the general manager of the institution and he represents CENAFER in the relationships with third parties. He also deals with communications issues and maintains collaboration regarding the design, implementation and finalization of projects. He has a vast railway experience and he completed various training courses within CFR (the National Railway Company) where he worked for a long period of time.

Mr. Robson is a time-served railway man having worked in the industry for 39 years. During this time he has held various senior positions both in the UK and in Europe including that of Secretary General of the European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM). In the UK Michael Robson has experience of working at a senior level in an integrated railway, British Rail, a private stock market listed infrastructure company, Railtrack, and a company limited by guarantee and privately financed, Network Rail, where he was responsible for developing and implementing the Network Rail policy on European issues. During his 7 years working in Europe, he gained an excellent knowledge of how the European institutions work along with developing an excellent network of contacts. He was on the Board of the European Railway Agency (ERA) where he was involved in developing the strategy of the ERA and in reviewing the progress of the development of TSIs. Working in different environments has given him a unique insight into European and world railway structures their complexities and cultures. During his career, he has been involved in Operations, Performance, Timetabling, and Contract Management, Asset Management, Funding, Technical Specification of Interoperability (TSI), Passenger and Freight Marketing and other retail activities in addition to the usual General Management and Project work. Michael Robson is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Transport & Logistics and the Institute of Management.

Corneliu Luscalov graduated from the Civil Technical University of Bucharest, Faculty of Railways, Roads and Bridges, Specialization: Railway Superstructure. He is a M.Sc, candidate for a Doctor in Science - D.Sc. degree and a invited lector of the Faculty of Railways, Roads and Bridges, Railway Superstructure. During 1993 - 1998, he worked for Romanian Railway Register - REFER, Research Department for Railways and Art Works, being 1st Degree Scientific Researcher. Since 1998 until 2002 he worked for Romanian Railway Authority - AFER, at the Railway Infrastructure Laboratory, as 1st Degree Technical Expert, Assistant of Laboratory Chief. Since 2002 he has been working as Senior Technical Executive of Romanian subsidiary of Vossloh Fastening Systems GmbH, Vossloh Tehnica Feroviară srl. From 2007 he is the Romanian Railway Industry Association – AIF, Infrastructure Department Director.

Sergiu Giorgian Rădulescu was born on 16 July 1958. He graduated from the University of Brasov, the Technological Faculty of Machine Construction. He has graduated from a CODECS course including the following: management of change, driving art, mentoring, project management, negotiation techniques in acquisitions. Until 2007, he was section engineer, design engineer and head of designing. Mr. Rădulescu currently is Head of Research and Design of voestalpine Vae Apcarom SA Buzau.

Claudiu Valentin Stoilescu was born on 4th Octomber 1989 in Buzau. He graduated from the University of Agronomic Science and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, the Faculty of Land Reclamation and Environmental Engineering, Geodesy Engineering specialization. Since he graduated in 2013, he worked in the sales domain, promoting topographical services. He graduated from courses such as Lean 6 Sigma and Successful Communication in organizational environment. He currently is a marketing specialist in voestalpine VAE APCAROM.

Jacques de Liniers was born in 1969. He graduated the Université de Nantes in France, with a degree in civil engineering. He has an Executive MBA in Marketing, Management and Finance, graduated at EDHEC Business School France. Since 1992 Jacques was introduced in to the civil engineering industry. His experience speaks for itself, with more than 22 years core in building and civil engineering in Ile de France, overseas, Central Europe in major construction projects in this field: 6 years at SCGPM (Spie Batignolle), 7 years at CBC company (VINCI CONSTRUCTION), 3 years at SAFEGE (SUEZ environment) and 8 years at COLAS (the BOUYGUES Groupe). His work experience has included a various range of positions, from site manager to branch director. In 2016 Jacques was appointed as Managing Director for Colas Rail Romania and ISAF branches (Romania, Greece and Bulgaria), and became responsible for the day to day running of the business.

He graduated from the University of Galati, Romania, in 1989, afterwards he continued his training at Ecole de Technologie Supérieure (Montréal, Canada) – 1995 – 1996; Universite de Montreal (Montreal, Canada) – 1994; George Washington University (Washington D.C.) – 1995, FGT Montreal, Canada - 1994 – 1996; University of Chicago Graduate School of Business – 1999; International Faculty of Finance – London – July 2010. He held several management positions, before joining Alstom Romania as Project Manager & Director of Operations from 2004 to 2007. Currently he is Managing Director Systems & Infrastructure at Alstom Romania

Octavian Udrişte has an impressive career in the Romanian railway sector. He was involved in major projects, such as the introduction of the diesel and electric traction, the Sifa and Indusi installations and the operation of the Bucharest underground system. In 1958, he graduated from the Institute of Railways (Polytechnics) - Faculty of Mechanics, Section Locomotives. He held various positions at CFR SA until 1976, from engineer at Braşov locomotive depot to general inspector at CFR SA, in the field of traffic safety. In 1968, he took a specialization course in the Federal Republic of Germany, for rolling stock exploitation and maintenance. During 1977-1984, he was head of the underground rolling stock service in Bucharest, and then Technical Director. During 1994-1996, he was General Manager Metrorex. Later on, he was Executive Manager of INCERTRANS and during 1997-2005, he was head of Transportation Systems at Siemens Romania. Starting 2006, he has been administrator of «Sisteme Transport Consult». Octavian Udrişte has been a member of UEEIV since 1996, President of Tren Club Român and Executive Director of CODATU. Currently, Mr. Udrişte is Honorary Chairman of Club Feroviar.

Mrs. Carmen Filipescu, currently Director of International Affairs Regiotrans, graduated from Polytechnic Institute of Bucharest, Faculty of Transport and has extensive experience in rail passenger transport, mainly in commercial/ international law. During her activity at CFR Calatori, Mrs. Carmen Filipescu held several management positions both within the company and within international professional organisations to which CFR Calatori is a full member, such as: Director of International Affairs, Deputy Director General, Director of International Affairs and External Financing. She is Representative in the European/ World General Assembly and the Passenger Forum of International Union of Railways (UIC) and Representative of CER (European Community of Railway Undertakings and Infrastructure Managers) at level of “Assistants” and “General Directors”. Since 2000 Carmen Filipescu is Vice President of CIV Commission of Passenger Transport Law to the International Committee of Transport (CIT) and since 2008 she is President of SERG (South East European Group of UIC) – Rail Passenger Activity.

Mr. Szentes graduated in 1989 from the Faculty of Transports – Department of Transport Technology and Railway Remote Operations of the University Politehnica of Bucharest. He also completed several post-graduate classes, has a master’s degree in Project Management at SNSPA Bucharest and a PhD in Transports Engineering. He held various positions at the Romanian National Railways Company – the Regional Division of Brașov and at the National Railway Training and Qualification Centre – CENAFER among which: project manager, expert-trainer, manager of CCIPTFT Centre CENAFER Brașov. Since 2012 he has been part of SNTFC “CFR Călători” SA where he has held positions such as: operations manager, international and institutional relations manager, consultant and member of the board of directors. Currently Iosif Szentes is the general manager of SNTFC “CFR Călători” S.A.

Ph.D. László Kormányos is currently the head of International Services Department at MAV-START, which is the Hungarian railway passenger transport company. He is responsible for international timetable planning, international service development, market research and analysis. He participated in introducing the integrated interval timetable in Hungary. He is also a member of UITP Regional and Suburban Railways Committee.

Mr. Csuzi was born on 22.06.1960 in Oradea, Bihor County. He graduated from Traian Vuia Polytechnics Institute in Timisoara, Faculty of Electronics Engineering and from Spiru Haret University in Bucharest, Faculty of Law. He has a PhD in Energetic Engineering from the University of Oradea. From 1985 to 1988, he has been Head of the Furnace Section – CF line 3000 tonnes/day. From 1988 to 1992 he has been engineer at IIRUC Bucharest, Section 15 Oradea. During 1992-2008, he has been General Manager of SC Trioda SRL Oradea, and since 2008, he is General Manager of Oradea Local Transport Operator, OTL. He published several speciality articles issued in volumes of famous international scientific magazines. Istvan Csuzi is member of AGIR Romania and of the Hungarian Scientific Association in Romania.

Mr. Marin ALDEA was born on 19 August 1965. He graduated from the Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering of Politehnica University of Bucharest and from the Faculty of Finance and Accounting of Athenaeum University of Bucharest. He holds a master’s degree in the Management of public services companies from the Faculty of Commerce of the Bucharest University of Economic Studies. He has worked from 1989, as Technological engineer, with a couple of state companies (Lathe Plant, Târgovişte and the Institute of Research and Design for Manufacturing Technologies “Chema Proiect S.A.”, Bucharest), and from 1991 with METROREX S.A., as Senior Engineer, Head of Planning – Strategy Department, Management of Operations Director, Strategy, Planning and Resources Director. As of December 2015, he is General Director of METROREX S.A.

Petru Cuvineanu graduated from the Polytechnics University of Timisoara, Faculty of Electrical Engineering in 1972. From 1972 to 1988 he was design engineer at a manufacturing unit of installations for agriculture and food industry. From 1988 to 1989 he was Head of Technical Services at Arad public transport company. Since 1989 he is Technical Director at the same company (Arad Public Transport Company), company that provides public transport services by trams and buses in Arad.

PHd, Professor and the Director of the Research Center for Urban Planning (CCPUT/RCUPT), Politehnica University in Timisoara and the representative of the Urbanists Registry in Romania in the Western and Southwestern Development Regions. Chief Architect of Timisoara Municipality between 1997 and 2006, Professor at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Politehnica University in Timisoara, author of national and international scientific books and articles regarding the urban planning. He has dedicated his activity at the CCPUT/RCUPT in the past years to the integrated urban mobility as a key factor in the sustainable development of the urban systems.

Dr. Gabriela Mitran is a Transport Engineer, Senior Lecturer at University of Pitesti. She graduated from the Master Project Management. She obtained a PhD degree in 2012, with the thesis entitled: «Modeling air pollution generated by traffic flows in urban areas». From Sep. 2007 to Aug. 2008 she held the position of Transport researcher at University of Porto, Faculty of Engineering, Portugal, with activities in Transport demand modeling, Formalizing transport networks, Land use Planning, Transport infrastructure charging. From Sep. 2008 to Aug. 2009 she was a Transport Engineer at Trenmo Engenharia, Department of Urban Transport and Transport Modeling, Portugal. From Aug. 2009 she is Traffic Planner at Search Corp. Ltd. Bucharest, Traffic and Mobility Department. Since Oct. 2013 she is a Lecturer within Automotive and Transportation Department of University of Pitesti, taking responsibilities in teaching and scientific research, being is the holder of courses Transport Modeling and Economic Analyzes in Transports. Gabriela Mitran published 35 scientific articles in journals and proceedings of scientific conferences and 1 book in the field of transport modeling. She participated in 5 research contracts as a member. Her research interests include traffic planning, air pollution, environmental management, risk assessment.

Mr. Dennis SCHUT M.A. & M.Sc. is the head of the Research & Innovation Unit of the UIC – the International Union of Railways. In January 2007, he was appointed as senior research adviser for the UIC and holds office at UIC Brussels as well as in the UIC headquarters in Paris. Mr. Schut holds a degree in Social Sciences from the University of Leiden with a major in communication and organisation. From 1978 he has worked as a senior policy adviser for the Netherlands Ministry of Transport in Transport Safety, as well as in International Policy. From 2003 – 2007 he has served as scientific project officer at the Directorate-General for Transport and the Directorate-General for Research of the European Commission in Brussels and, since 2007 is working for the UIC. Among other tasks he acted as secretary to ERRAC – the European Rail Research Advisory Council to the EC and has coordinated a number of EC funded rail research project such as GLOBAL VIEW, ERRAC ROADMAP and FOSTER-RAIL and has been involved in a number of other EC funded projects such as TRANSSLO, TRANSNEW, SPECTRUM, HERMES, MARATHON, SETRIS and REFINET. He has been member of the Multi-modal ETP Task Force preparing the co-modal Infrastructure Roadmap presented to the European Commission in June 2013 and is currently involved in the South East Europe Alliance for Rail Innovation SEESARI.

With an experience of over 18 years in the Transportation Section and with an active participation in the Mobility Group of Bucharest Municipality, Mr. Negrea militates for a European, sustainable transport system with an important accent on the urban dimension of transportation. Next to RATB specialists, it contributes to the elaboration of sustainable urban mobility plans (SUMP) financed by EBRD, for Bucharest and the Metropolitan Area, project under development. From 1991 to 1996 he attended the courses of the Faculty of Transport, “Politehnica” University of Bucharest, Remote Control and Electronics in the Transportation Section. He then focused on public transport research for the densely populated areas from the perspective of urban development, finalised in 2003 with a PhD at the Technical University of Civil Engineering in Bucharest, Faculty of Civil Engineering, the Urbanism Section. He participated in major projects such as the Bucharest Transport Master Plan and the Metropolitan Area, carried out by JICA, and to the Introduction of the first Light Rail in Romania, Line 41. Mr. Negrea believes railway transport is the only mode of transport that meets the people’s mobility needs in conditions of comfort, safety, efficiency and low environment impact.

Mr. Gilles Peterhans studied finance and economics at the University of St. Gallen - School of Management, Economics, Law, Social Sciences and International Affairs (HSG) in Switzerland. After he graduated in 2001, he transitioned through various field of operating positions in the railway industry. In 2003, he first joined Rexwal, a Swiss rolling stock leasing company, and was shortly promoted to the position of Chief Executive Officer. In 2005, he took over the CEO responsibilities of the newly founded railway undertakings. Recently, Mr. Peterhans focused on originating and executing of private placements and was involved in merger acquisitions transactions. Since January 2013, he acts as Secretary General of UIP – International Union of Wagon Keepers.

Mr. Dennis SCHUT M.A. & M.Sc. is the head of the Research & Innovation Unit of the UIC – the International Union of Railways. In January 2007, he was appointed as senior research adviser for the UIC and holds office at UIC Brussels as well as in the UIC headquarters in Paris. Mr. Schut holds a degree in Social Sciences from the University of Leiden with a major in communication and organisation. From 1978 he has worked as a senior policy adviser for the Netherlands Ministry of Transport in Transport Safety, as well as in International Policy. From 2003 – 2007 he has served as scientific project officer at the Directorate-General for Transport and the Directorate-General for Research of the European Commission in Brussels and, since 2007 is working for the UIC. Among other tasks he acted as secretary to ERRAC – the European Rail Research Advisory Council to the EC and has coordinated a number of EC funded rail research project such as GLOBAL VIEW, ERRAC ROADMAP and FOSTER-RAIL and has been involved in a number of other EC funded projects such as TRANSSLO, TRANSNEW, SPECTRUM, HERMES, MARATHON, SETRIS and REFINET. He has been member of the Multi-modal ETP Task Force preparing the co-modal Infrastructure Roadmap presented to the European Commission in June 2013 and is currently involved in the South East Europe Alliance for Rail Innovation SEESARI.

His professional experience, accumulated in his over 20 years of activity in fields such as management, railway business development, project management and implementation, research or academic, have allowed him to have representative positions in private or state companies in Romania and Europe, in the railway industry and operation field. He was responsible, individually or in complex teams, for strategies of procurement, restructuring, market repositioning or integration in the structure demanded by the shareholders or the tutelary authority of companies such as: Romvag S.A (Romania), Karsdorfer Eisenbahn – KEG (Private Railway from Germany), Romanian Railway Authority (AFER). He created, developed and managed railway engineering companies such as Forschung Mess-und Daten-Technik Zentrum (Germany) and Sistematic Engineering (Romania), and represented the Romanian Railway Company in the Managing Board for Applied Research and Drafting of International Railway Norms within the European Railway Research Institute – ERRI (the Netherlands) – the Research Body of UIC (International Railway Union). In February 2015 he was selected after an international procedure as Board Member and CEO of the Romanian Railway Company -CFR SA. In August 2015 he was proposed as vice-president of Community of European Railways -CER From November 17 2015 until the 7th of July 2016 he was the Romanian Minister of Transport.

Mr. Valentin Dorobantu graduated from “Politehnica” University of Bucharest, Faculty of Transport and from the Academy of Economic Studies, Faculty of Commerce. He was traffic operator and head of station at SNCFR SA (Romanian Railways) and held several positions at SNTFC CFR Calatori (Romanian Passenger Railway Operator), such as: head of station, exploitation manager, deputy general manager, CEO, Member of the Board and Member of Directorate. He was counsellor at Ferest Logistics SRL and manager at Infer Consulting SRL. Currently, he is chairman of the Board of the Patronal Organisation of Romanian Private Railway Companies.

Severin Göbl is a graduated engineer and economist, head of Rail Cargo Hungaria International Pricing unit. He has over 20 years experience in energy sector in rail logistics and freight forwarding business. Severin started his logistics career by joining Vienna based OMV in 1998. During the years with OMV he filled different positions in supply & logistics, sales and strategic development areas, End of 2007 Severin joined MOL as Logistics director, he managed MOL Group’s rail and waterway transportation division including its refinery railway facilities and its extensive shunting railway operations in 4 flagship companies. In 2015 he joined the Austrian state owned Rail Cargo Group (RCG) taking over high complexity international projects. In his current role he is responsible for international train concepts and corridor train solutions, as well as for coordination and development RCG market activities in CEE countries.

Mr. Gabriel Popa graduated from “Politehnica” University of Bucharest, Faculty of Transports in 1985. Until 1990, he worked at Romanian Railways and was scientific researcher at the Institute of Research and Design for Transport. He was consultant manager at SC Beta Electronic SRL and Nightserve Ltd – UK. He published over 80 articles and publications on transport and was involved in over 50 scientific and commercial research projects with implementation in railway and urban transport, as well as communication systems. At present, he is professor PhD Eng. at the Rolling Stock Department of the Faculty of Transport of “Politehnica” University of Bucharest.

Ovidiu Anicai has joined ITC in 1984 and has conducted / conducts R & D in computer science for many clients in a variety of industries. He carried out consulting activities for IBM during 2003-2006, 2016-2017 consulting activities for rail energy efficiency for Louis Berger. Ovidiu brings over 33 years of experience in IT, business development and innovation management. Currently coordinates the experimental and applied research in the sector of applied informatics to ITC.

Ştefan Iovan has graduated from the Faculty of Mathematics of the University of Timişoara in 1979. He is PhD in Mathematics of the University of Timişoara from 2007. Ştefan Iovan is the author or coauthor of more than 175 works published and/or presented at national and international conferences. At present, he works as IT Consultant/Counselor at Informatica Feroviara SA and is Associated Professor at the Computer Science Faculty of Universitatea de Vest of Timișoara.

Mr. Ralf-Charley Schultze lives in Vienna with his family. Before going to Austria he was responsible during five years within the freight department of the Swiss railways (SBB Cargo) for the combined traffic, the automotive business and the partner management. In this time he had the opportunity to practice liberalization and to experience so called competition. He has an international background, speaks fluently five languages and studied law in Germany, France and England. 10 years in different logistics and forwarding companies in Europe gave him a solid logistics background and enabled him understanding, organizing and implementing logistic processes, meeting the real needs of the market. During the last five years he was director for multimodal logistics within the GEFCO group, responsible for the development of multimodal business all over Europe, with a strong focus on Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia. Currently, Mr. Ralf-Charley Schultze is President of the UIRR, the international union for road-rail combined transport in Brussels.