Rhine-Alpine News
15.05.2024
Port of Rotterdam: consortium for scalable quantum internet
Symbolic picture by Adi Goldstein on Unsplash
As part of the Quantum Delta NL programme, a collaboration comprised of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, Q*Bird, Single Quantum, Cisco, Eurofiber, Portbase, Intermax, and InnovationQuarter became the first in the world to construct a scalable quantum internet connection in the Rotterdam port.
A trial setting revealed how quantum technology blocks access to sensitive information. In the future, this new communication system could increase the security of the port’s tens of thousands of seagoing vessels while simultaneously protecting the consequent economic flow from the threat of quantum computers.
Data encryption is currently used to maintain cybersecurity, however it is reliant on computations that today’s computers cannot solve. However, a powerful quantum computer has the ability to crack algorithms and disclose sensitive data. Because of quantum computers’ unparalleled computing capacity, encrypted information can be deciphered quickly, exposing governmental and corporate secrets to parties with bad intent. In addition, data captured and saved now can be broken later using a quantum computer.
Quantum technology has enormous promise for tackling complicated issues, but it also poses significant risks. For companies with vital infrastructure, such as the Port Authority, this might pose a serious danger to business continuity, resulting in significant financial losses and physical damage. Increasing cyber resilience is thus more critical than ever.
Source:
DB InfraGO Status Report 2023
Symbolic picture by Fancycrave1 on Pixabay
To provide clear and comprehensive information on the condition of its infrastructure facilities, DB publishes the InfraGO Network and Passenger Stations Condition Report. For the first time, it provides a 2023 inventory of DB InfraGO stations. The report integrates accessible data with the on-site facility managers’ experience. This provides for the mapping of track, point, level crossing, signal box, and bridge conditions, as well as station facilities. The study is an important foundation for DB InfraGO AG in determining maintenance and renewal requirements and managing them successfully in the future.
The InfraGO Network and Passenger Stations Condition Report 2023 is the outcome of a detailed, annual study of the German rail network and passenger stations.
A general rehabilitation of the extensively trafficked sections of track on the Riedbahn between Frankfurt/Main and Mannheim will start this year.
Starting July 15, DB InfraGO AG will entirely renew all facilities in mediocre to poor condition on this route within five months.
DB is transforming the 20 stations along these routes into future stations, which will be built from a single source in a high-performance, customer-focused way. In total, DB intends to subject more than 4,000 heavily used kilometres of track to this type of general refurbishment by 2030 in order to improve the most frequently used routes in the existing rail network, which spans more than 33,000 kilometres, as well as many stations.
Sources(in German):
https://www.dbinfrago.com/web/unternehmen/zielbild-infrastruktur/InfraGO-Zustandsbericht-12636112
Survey finds that citizens favour combined transport
Symbolic picture by Lukas Blazek on Unsplash
The Community of European Railway & Infrastructure Companies (CER), along with fellow associations ERFA, UIRR, UIP, and UNIFE, echo the findings of a recent survey, which reveals that the majority of European citizens surveyed are unaware of the serious impact of introducing ‘gigaliners’ or’mega trucks’ on the road system. The clear majority believe that promoting road-rail integrated transit is preferable in terms of reducing traffic congestion and ensuring higher safety standards.
A survey conducted in 9 Member States (FR, DE, BE, AT, IT, PL,HU, ES, and RO) between the 18th and 23rd of April, involving 8,037 online interviews, revealed that’mega trucks’ (vehicle combinations of the EuropeanModular system) were largely unknown to the majority of respondents (14% recognised the issue, 34% had a vague knowledge, and 52% admitted to being unaware).
After receiving information about the characteristics of these vehicles, the majority of respondents viewed the use of mega trucks negatively, citing concerns about the impact on road infrastructure, congestion, road safety, and noise.
Nearly 85% identified the safety dangers that’mega trucks’ can pose to drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists, as well as the impact on public expenditures.75% of participants believe that the introduction of mega trucks will reduce freight rail transport, and in member states where freight rail transport is more established (including combined transport operations), 6 out of 10 citizens believe that megatrucks should not be allowed to circulate.94% of participants thought it was necessary (half thought it was very important) to encourage integrated transport as an alternative to the introduction of mega trucks, since this would considerably minimise congestion and safety hazards.
Sources:
https://www.railfreightforward.eu/sites/default/files/downloadcenter/european-survey-megatrucks.pdf