SINARA Transport Machines (STM) subsidiary STM Center of Innovation Development (STM CID) and German Rail (DB) subsidiary DB Systemtechnik have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance their technical cooperation in railway research.
The MoU was signed by Mr Kirill Kolesnikov, first deputy general director of STM CID, and Mr Sergey Zamyatin, executive director for international sales at DB Systemtechnik, during the International Railway Fair in the Area 1520 “PRO//Motion.Expo” exhibition in Shcherbinka, Russia.
The agreement will lay the foundations for a mutually beneficial partnership between the companies to conduct joint testing of railway equipment, develop testing procedure, collaborate with rolling stock manufacturers, prepare joint applications for international projects, and share experience and best practices.
This includes developing procedures to evaluate passenger comfort, test a number of European railway equipment and track elements on the 1520mm-gauge network, and organise joint activities to introduce digital twins for locomotives and rolling stock manufactured for DB by Siemens and Alstom. An important part of the agreement is the possibility to run a pilot project using a specialised diagnostic and comfort monitoring system developed by STM CID for the Siemens Velaro and Desiro train platforms.
The agreement places special emphasis on sharing professional experience between Russian and German companies. The parties say it is not just about holding joint seminars and webinars on general topics but also about sharing ideas and experience gained in some specific projects, including use of the Velaro and Desiro train platforms. The document also provides for cooperation with several international rolling stock manufacturers and the preparation of joint applications for open bidding procedures to introduce the condition-based monitoring system manufactured by STM CID in various railway equipment.
“Closer cooperation with DB Systemtechnik will allow us to build a technological partnership with our German colleagues and not only transfer technologies, but also share experience and best practices,” Kolesnikov says. “This, in turn, would considerably enhance STM developments and bring joint projects with our strategic partner - Russian Railways (RZD) - to a new level. RZD and DB are engaged in a number of joint projects and our cooperation with DB Systemtechnik, a subsidiary of DB, fully corresponds to RZD’s approach to develop suppliers’ competencies. By signing this memorandum, we take another step towards creating an atmosphere of trust with our main customer’s partners.”
