UIC Highspeed 2012 will be held in Philadelphia, July 10 to 13, 2012.

The 8th World Congress on High-Speed Rail will address strategic issues linked to the national and international development of high-speed rail systems will be addressed at this global event organized by UIC, the International Union of Railways and the American Public Transportation Association, with the cooperation of UIC North American members the American rail operator Amtrak, the Association of American Railroads (AAR), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and VIA Rail Canada.

Key players from the international transport sector are expected to be present.

The previous edition of UIC Highspeed, held in Beijing in 2010, concluded that high-speed rail is considered an important factor in facing current and future mobility challenges, where performance level, safety, cost effectiveness and environmental friendliness remain critical. UIC Highspeed 2012 will build further on these and the next steps on the part of operations as well as investments in research and innovation.

UIC Highspeed 2012 consists of a world congress and a trade exhibition. The congress is renowned worldwide as the most prominent and large-scale global event on high-speed rail.

High-level speakers and participants will meet to consider and discuss all issues linked to high-speed rail development. This includes political and strategic planning, innovative financing solutions, technological innovations, energy and carbon balance, standards and interoperability, safety and security management, research, trends in commercial concepts and services, and partnerships.