The awards were presented in Brussels on February 8 by the Community of European Railways and Infrastructure Managers (CER) and the European Rail Industry association (Unife).
Vinck helped to lay the foundations of ERTMS and has been a tireless proponent of it despite considerable opposition from several quarters. Lacôte, who was formerly rolling stock director with French National Railways (SNCF), has been a key player in the development of TGV, from the original single-deck version, through the double-deck Duplex, to AGV which enters service in Italy this month.
