Chair of Railway Engineering
In our field of work, we see ourselves as a contact for all questions relating to railway construction and operation, with a focus on the areas of track and railway superstructure.
Building the future of railways with innovative technology!
The Chair of Railway Engineering (formerly the Institute of Railway Engineering and Public Transport) has a long history of success in solving technical problems related to the railway track, and its solutions have been adopted by railway systems around the world.
The former Institute of Railway Engineering and Public Transport was headed by Mr. O.Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Erich Kopp in 1976. After his retirement in 2006, the railway engineering department was continued by Mr. ao.Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. techn. Günter Prager. After his retirement in 2018, Mr. Ass.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. techn. Steiner coordinated the activities in the railway engineering department. In September 2023, the department was taken over by Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. techn. Harald Loy.
The work area's comprehensive and systematic approach to problem solving, using its team of experienced technical specialists, has resulted in significant savings in its clients' operating and capital costs and provided environmental value.
Railway is a complex and dynamic field, encompassing both technical and organizational aspects. It remains an essential part of the global transport infrastructure and will continue to play a central role in sustainable transport in the future.
We are looking for reinforcements!
To complement the team, we are looking for university assistants, research and project staff. You can get more information from our department.
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. techn. Harald Loy
Head of Chair of Railway Engineering - Department of Intelligent Transport Systems
At the University of Innsbruck - Department of Railway Engineering, outstanding expertise in the evaluation and optimization of track superstructures and their components has been built up over decades. My goal is to continue this, to expand our team of experts and also to focus on sustainability in order to position the railway as a "green" alternative for the mobility of the future.
Teaching
We inspire students by offering the most comprehensive railway and transportation curriculum in Austria. We offer several courses on railway topics and strive to place our graduates in lucrative positions in the public and private sectors. The Chair of Railway also supports the continuing education of railway professionals through seminars, short courses and conferences.
Railway engineering encompasses all aspects of the construction, operation and management of railways. It plays a central role in passenger and freight transport and has developed into one of the most important transport systems worldwide since the 19th century.
Research
The Chair of Railway Engineering conducts practical and theoretical research and advances the field in a wide range of important and current topics in railway and rail traffic engineering and transport. Research investigations are ongoing in the areas of railway safety, systems and infrastructure, covering dozens of topics that are essential to maintaining the safety, efficiency, reliability, sustainability and resilience of rail freight and passenger transport.
International and national research projects in the areas of travel time and energy consumption, design of track systems, running behavior of rail vehicles, assessment and approval of new vehicles, rail wear, development of sub-ballast mats, sleeper pads and intermediate layers, various superstructure measurements including for high-speed travel, bridge crossings with ballast superstructure and slab track with continuously welded rails, switches with roller devices, local public transport.
Services
The Chair of Railway Engineering shares its expertise with industry, academia and the public, helping to interpret and apply knowledge and implement solutions for the further development of rail transport and rail technology. Our teachers and staff are involved as leaders and members of various committees.
Chair of Railway Engineering. A film about some measurements as part of our chair's research projects for the 350th anniversary of the University of Innsbruck.
Contact us
Do you have any questions, suggestions or do you need further information? We look forward to hearing from you! You can reach us directly by email, telephone or via our contact form. Our team is happy to help you and will get back to you as soon as possible.
Tel: +43 512 507 - 62401