Anders Ekberg is the technical and scientific coordinator for Trafikverket in In2Track3. His workplace on a daily basis is at Chalmers university in Göteborg, Sweden, where he works as professor. His specialty is wheelsets and tracks. The role of Anders Ekberg in the project is scientific and technical coordinator for the whole European project In2Track3.

– My role is very clear in the project In2Track3. Everything that concerns technical issues goes to me. Whilst all issues concerning economics, administration, contracts et cetera goes to Pernilla Edlund, who is Coordinator, he says.

Anders has been involved in previous projects in Shift2Rail, and has been involved in the specific project In2Track3 since it started in January 2021.

– My assignment now is to keep in contact with the partners, the technical management team, and managers of the WPs. I also have the overall responsibility to check that work is not duplicated in different parts of the project, and that the quality level of project reports et cetera has the same high level throughout the project. 

How would you describe the project In2Track3?
-It’s about how to improve the railway in all of Europe. Technically, it deals with switches and crossings, tracks, and tunnels and bridges. The plan is to use results from the project in railways throughout Europe. We will present new products and new processes during the coming years. 

Is there something new in this project compared to railway projects during the previous years?
– I would say that today there is a greater focus on environmental issues. If we go back to 1970, 80, 90 there was a mentality of wear and tear, tear down and build new. But today there is more life cycle thinking, and we talk much more about recycling, reusing, and maintenance to prolong operational life. I see it also when it comes to financing of maintenance of railways. The budget for this has increased in many countries. 

What is the status of the In2Track3-project right now?
– Now, after one year in operation, the first deliverables are beginning to come. This is also the case for the first demonstrators. We look very much forward to this.

What would you say is the big win from In2Track3 in 5 years time?
– Now, after the pandemic, people are going back to travel and the traffic volumes increase on railways again. This means that we have to put more trains on tracks that in many cases are crowded and heavily loaded already. The results from In2Track3 will be absolutely necessary to be able to accomplish this, says Anders Ekberg.