Intensive operations on Munich's S-Bahn network leave little room for error, so when disturbances do occur the impact soon spreads across the entire network. Dipl-Ing Dr Marc-André Klemenz, head of international projects at DB International, explains how simulating operations, and potential disturbances, is helping to minimise delays and improve punctuality.

Testing is underway on a Paris metro line using LTE as a component of the automated signalling system. Angus Hammond outlines the objectives of the trial and the potential benefits of using LTE.

Italian State Railways (FS) is pushing the boundaries of ERTMS to raise line speeds on its high-speed network, increase capacity in the major cities, improve interoperability for freight, reduce the cost of running rural lines to save them from closure, and make better use of the data produced by ERTMS. As Fabio Senesi, head of control and command systems and telecommunications with Italian Rail Network, explains to David Briginshaw, in many cases this means developing solutions ahead of anyone else.

Denmark's bold decision to renew its entire signalling infrastructure raised eyebrows across the signalling community when details of its plans first emerged nearly 10 years ago. With work on the major contracts now well underway, Kevin Smith visited Banedanmark in Copenhagen to find out how the project is progressing.

Cities across Australia have invested in light rail in recent years but many projects widely considered as essential to relieve traffic congestion are yet to secure the funding they need. Mark Carter sheds light on the current situation.

With lacklustre domestic economic growth and turmoil in the commodities sector resulting in a difficult year for Australian railfreight, Mark Carter reviews the current issues and looks at the key indicators that will shape the industry in 2016 and beyond.

The Fortescue Railway operates some of the longest and heaviest trains in the world, and in the seven years since it began hauling iron-ore across the deserts of the Pilbara region, it continues to push the technical boundaries of heavy-haul. Keith Barrow reports from Western Australia on the latest developments in Fortescue's unrelenting quest for greater efficiency and higher capacity.

The need to provide additional capacity while improving reliability and reducing costs has energised the market for rolling stock refurbishment and retractioning in Britain. Keith Barrow considers whether innovative rebuilds of older trains can deliver passenger satisfaction and operational efficiency.

THE United States House of Representatives approved a bill on October 27 authorising federal funding for highway and transit projects until the end of November but, crucially for the country's railways, also extends the deadline for implementing Positive Train Control by at least three years.