The National Railway Safety Authority (ANSF), integrated into the Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT, I.P.), invites the international community to submit abstracts for presentation at the 2026 edition of the International Railway Safety Conference (IRSC), which will take place in Lisbon from 11 to 16 October 2026.

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The IRSC is recognised as the leading global forum dedicated to railway safety, bringing together regulators, operators, infrastructure managers, manufacturers, academics, and international specialists to discuss emerging challenges, global trends, and innovative solutions aimed at strengthening safety across the sector. Established in 1990, the conference promotes in-depth exchange of experience through keynote presentations, thematic sessions, debates, and technical visits.

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In 2026, Portugal will host this prestigious event at a decisive moment for the future of the national railway system, marked by the development of high-speed rail and by an increasing focus on innovation, interoperability, sustainability, and the enhancement of operational safety.

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Themes for Submission

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Authors are invited to submit original abstracts aligned with the thematic sessions set out in the preliminary conference programme:

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1. Cross-border Challenges

• Operational integration in international lines
• Advanced coordination models between multi-country authorities
• Technical and digital interoperability challenges at border interfaces
• Secure transnational data-sharing and protection of critical information

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2. Maintenance (infrastructure and Rolling Stock)

• AI-driven predictive maintenance and distributed sensing technologies
• Impact of digitalisation on maintenance efficiency and safety outcomes
• Risk-based decision models for critical maintenance operation
• Asset management strategies for complex and ageing networks

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3. Intermodal Connectivity

• Integration of rail with next-generation smart logistics hubs
• Safety challenges at modal interfaces (metro, road, maritime, aviation)
• Intermodal flow planning under extreme or degraded operating conditions
• Resilience of intermodal information systems and control platforms

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4. Resilience to Extreme Natural Events (Resilience to extreme natural events)

• Climate vulnerability assessments for railway lines and structures
• Monitoring technologies for floods, wildfires, landslides, and earthquakes
• Predictive models and mitigation strategies for infrastructure damage
• Continuity-of-operations planning under severe environmental stress

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5. Freight Terminals (Freight terminals)

• Safe automation of freight terminals and innovative operational models
• Risk management in intensive shunting operations and complex layouts
• Digital twins for multimodal terminal optimisation and safety
• Safety solutions for handling hazardous materials

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6. Management and Frontline Workers (Management & frontline workers)

• Closing the gap between management and front-line workers to unlock a resilient safety culture
• Evidence-based safety culture and human-behaviour insights
• Innovative training programmes and competency development
• Managing fatigue, stress, and workload in high-demand environments

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7. Emergency Management (Management of emergency)

• Interoperable command-and-control systems for complex emergencies
• Coordinated response strategies for multimodal infrastructures and engineering structures
• Technological solutions for critical communication during incidents
• Advanced simulation and scenario-based training for crisis preparedness

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8. Track Obstacles (Obstacles on the track)

• Intelligent automatic detection systems for intrusion and obstruction
• Wildlife management and accidental intrusions in sensitive areas
• Active prevention technologies in dense urban and remote rural zones
• Real-time data analytics for collision-risk mitigation

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9. Innovation (Innovation)

• Artificial intelligence and automation for enhanced safety management
• Next-generation rolling stock concepts with embedded safety systems
• Big data approaches for incident prediction and prevention
• Cybersecurity as a fundamental pillar of digital railway innovation

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E-Posters

Proposals for e-poster presentations are also welcome and will be displayed during the conference coffee breaks.

Visible area: 1209,6 mm (height) x 680,4 mm (width)

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Files format:

• Images: JPG, PNG (preferencial in high resolution)
• Videos: MP4 (recomended, H.264 format)

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Submission Guidelines

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• Abstract length: up to 1000 words (approximately 2 pages long)
• Language: English
• Format: PDF or Word (.doc/.docx)

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Selected authors will be asked to submit the presentation, as well as the e-poster before 15 September 2026.

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• Online submission: https://arcg.is/1SijDf2
• Submission deadline: 01 May 2026
• Notification of selected authors: following review by the Scientific Committee: 02 June 2026
• Presentation submission deadline: 11 September 2026
• E-Poster submission deadline: 11 September 2026

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For any questions related to the call for abstracts, please contact us at this email address irsc2026.abstracts@imt-ip.pt.

Please note that abstract submissions will not be accepted via email.

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Evaluation Criteria

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Abstracts will be evaluated based on:

• Originality and contribution to railway safety
• Relevance to the conference themes
• Clarity and technical accuracy
• Potential for practical application and sector improvement

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Additional Information

The preliminary programme includes an opening ceremony, technical sessions, stakeholder meetings, social events (Welcome Cocktail, Gala Dinner, Farewell Cocktail), and specialist technical visits on 15 and 16 October.