IRSE - Institution of Railway Signal Engineers > ASPECT 2023
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    Presidential Paper: Testing and changes for digital signalling by Robin Lee
    Thursday 2 March 2023 in-person in Stockport and via livestream
    For further details click here
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  1. Licensing
  2. Membership & Registration
  3. Qualifications & Careers
  4. Publications & Resources
  5. Get Involved
    Presidential Paper: Testing and changes for digital signalling by Robin Lee
    Thursday 2 March 2023 in-person in Stockport and via livestream
    For further details click here
  6. News
  7. Store

ASPECT 2023 — Melbourne, Australia

ASPECT 2023 news

ASPECT is the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers (IRSE) international technical conference, held every two years at locations around the world. 

The conference will run over three days, delivering fifty one technical papers from global industry experts on the theme of Global Integration and will also feature several related workshop sessions. 

ASPECT provides an unrivalled opportunity for learning and the exchange of knowledge in the fields of train control, railway communications, and related disciplines. The fourth day of the conference will provide a range of technical visits to complement the three technical days. 

Thanks to ASPECT 2023 being held in one of the most liveable cities in the world, we have secured the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre to host the three days of technical sessions. This world-class facility is in the heart of the Melbourne CBD and close to transport, hotels, and restaurants. It will take place from 08:30 Tuesday 21 to 17:00 Friday 24 November 2023 (local times).

One of the highlights of the week is the conference dinner which will be held at one of Melbourne’s iconic venues. Finally, as it is a rail conference, we have arranged a chartered steam train ride on the Puffing Billy Railway, including site visits and evening dinner to top it off with. 

The event has consistently attracted a wide of range of people in the industry with over 250 delegates from across the globe attending the last ASPECT conference. 

Applications for funding towards travel and accommodation costs are welcomed from IRSE younger members.  Applications must be sent in by 30 June,

Steve Boshier, Senior Vice President, explains about the theme of this year's conference 'global integration' and how it will attract an ever-growing diverse workforce for the railway control engineering industry. Click here for further details....

The themes of this ASPECT conference have been chosen to focus on "global integration" which will be my presidential theme. This is so important for many projects currently being delivered around the world. In addition there will be a focus on topics covering rail investment, interface management, asset management and sustainability, which are supported by the people, process and technology we require.

ASPECT is open to IRSE members and non-members alike and will bring together the world's best signalling, control, systems and communications engineers along with leading signalling and communications technology companies. 

As an industry, we see a growing gap between the demand for talented engineers and those coming through our ranks. Events such as ASPECT can attract and develop an ever-growing diverse workforce. 

The IRSE is committed to a policy of development, diversity, equality and inclusion, and hence I believe such events are essential to the future success of our industry.

I look forward to seeing you at the IRSE's international flagship event from 21 to 24 November 2023 in Melbourne Australia

Participate in ASPECT 2023

You don't need to be an IRSE member to come to ASPECT 2023 and present a paper or innovator idea!

The call for papers for ASPECT 2023 has closed and the committee are reviewing the abstracts on the topics of Global Integration, Sustainability, Asset Management, Interface Management and Rail Investment. The conference will consider the contribution made by all aspects of design, implementation, operation and maintenance activities.

The IRSE Younger members are running the ASPECT Innovator session (shark tank style), and all are invited to submit their "Innovator Ideas" on all aspects of the theory and practice of railway signalling and telecommunications, and on related technologies. In an era of ever-increasing globalisation, contributions are welcomed from all around the world. In ASPECT 2023 we are looking for a particular focus on Global Integration, Sustainability, Asset Management, Interface Management and Rail Investment; therefore innovative and providing ideas on these topics are especially welcome for what we will call the "IRSE Innovator session".  Please submit your Innovation idea by the extended deadline of 31 March.

Interested in a sponsorship opportunity?

We are looking to keep this event accessible by keeping delegate rates affordable. We therefore are looking for support from businesses to be sponsors.

This is a fantastic opportunity to raise your company's profile to a diverse range of railway engineers in a global community and to support the professional development of engineers.

There are a number of different sponsorship opportunities to suit a range of budgets. Please see our sponsorship brochure for further ideas and contact details.

Suggested accommodation

There are no discounted rates for ASPECT delegates at the local hotels, however the conference organising committee have put together a suggested accommodation list to assist you in finding suitable accommodation within your own budget 

Hold the date for ASPECT 2025

Our ASPECT organisers are beginning to plan ASPECT 2025 to be in Yokohama, Japan, in November 2025