From 8–12 December 2025, Poznan University of Technology hosted the 15th anniversary edition of the Workshop on Rail Technology – an annual international student workshop jointly organized by Poznan University of Technology and Technische Universität Berlin, with the host institution alternating each year. This year's edition took place at Poznan University of Technology and welcomed students from Germany.
The first day of the workshop focused on integration and familiarizing participants with the university. The guests learned about the history and organizational structure of Poznan University of Technology, took part in a campus orientation game, and attended presentations introducing the activities of the Division of Rail Transport and the Chair of Railway Vehicles (Fachgebiet Schienenfahrzeuge) at Technische Universität Berlin. Participants were also introduced to the PUTrain project, carried out by the Student Scientific Association of Public Transport Engineers, which co-organized the workshop together with the Division of Rail Transport.
On the second day, participants visited the Greater Poland Railways (Koleje Wielkopolskie) maintenance depot in Wągrowiec. They were introduced to the activities of the regional railway operator and learned about rolling stock maintenance procedures. Students also had the opportunity to experience the role of a train driver using a professional driving simulator. After returning to Poznań, they began working in international project teams on five interdisciplinary topics:
- GreenHub – a vision for the intermodal land terminal of the future,
- Cabin 2050 – concepts for improving driver ergonomics and enhancing operational safety,
- Human Error Map – identifying the most common human errors contributing to railway accidents and proposing measures to reduce their occurrence and consequences,
- Digital Twin in Rail Systems – applications of digital twin technology in the railway sector,
- Maintenance Dashboard – the design of a fleet management dashboard for condition-based maintenance using IoT diagnostics and vehicle technical condition data.
Following an intensive day of teamwork, the students visited the Poznań Christmas Market, where they continued building international friendships in a relaxed atmosphere.
On Wednesday, participants travelled to Warsaw for a study visit to PKP Intercity's Olszynka Grochowska maintenance depot, one of the largest and most advanced railway maintenance facilities in Poland, playing a key role in servicing long-distance rolling stock. During the visit, students toured the Pendolino maintenance centre, where they learned about the inspection and servicing processes for high-speed trains, as well as the train driver training centre, equipped with state-of-the-art simulators. The programme also included a short sightseeing tour of the Polish capital.
Thursday began with a lecture introducing the German students to the history of railways in Poland, current railway statistics, and the sector's most significant development challenges. The project teams then continued their collaborative work, and after lunch the workshop concluded with official project presentations, during which each group showcased the concepts and solutions they had developed throughout the week.
The final day featured a brief closing session, followed by a guided walking tour of Poznań, giving participants the opportunity to explore the city's most notable landmarks and attractions.
The 2025 edition of the Workshop on Rail Technology once again demonstrated the value of international student collaboration, combining technical expertise with creativity and providing direct exposure to engineering practice. The event offered participants not only an opportunity to develop new professional competencies but also to exchange ideas, build lasting international relationships, and gain experiences that will undoubtedly benefit their future careers.
