New Partners Join Forces to Advance Smart Railway Development

To accelerate and innovate the smart railway systems, more partners had joined the Smart Railway Institute. On July 13, representatives from new partners, National Taipei University, National Taiwan University of Technology, Chinese Culture University and New Taipei Metro, and old partners, Taipei Tech, Yuan Ze University, Kainan University, Taipei MRT Corporation, and Taoyuan MRT Corporation, gathered together to sign letter of intent to promote and advance railway development. 

Wang Sea-fue, Chairperson of the Smart Railway Institute and President of Taipei Tech, pointed out that the Smart Railway Institute aims to cultivate new talents for the smart railway industry, and serves as a platform that integrates the government, industry and academic resources. “We are excited that more partners are joining us to facilitate the research and development of smart railway” said Wang. 

Hu Hsiang-ling, Political Deputy Minister of Transportation and Communications, indicated that with new blood joining the institute, it will certainly have a positive impact on Taiwan’s railway development. “The Ministry of Transportation and Communications fully support the advancement of railway technology and inspection,” said Hu, “I believe the institute will strengthen Taiwan’s smart railway technology and further earn global recognition for our effort”. 

Lee Hsien-ming, Taoyuan City Deputy Mayor, shared that he had only realized how difficult it is for our MRT to be punctual with almost no delays after he experienced the metro system of other countries. “The railway construction is critical for Taoyuan to facilitate forward-looking infrastructure,” said Lee, “so we look forward to cooperating closely with the industry and academia sectors to develop the most state-of-the-art technology of smart transportation”. 

The Smart Railway Institute had been commissioned by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to provide training for railway track inspectors to boost train safety. Furthermore, 400 students had enrolled in the smart railway micro program in 2021, and 15 students had joined the master program offered by the Institute in 2022. The institute continues to host expert meetings, and is planning on publishing a research report on railway professional talent cultivation as well as amending the draft on smart railway system information security regulation.