Hack4Rail 2026

Themed tracks

There are 6 themed tracks, which cover important international topics for all railway companies. They primarily serve as inspiration and to bring structure into the challenge overview.

1. Schedule Flexibility and Capacity Optimization 🚦🛤 📆  

In this theme track, we are looking for challenges that deal with optimizing scheduling and capacity utilization. The goal is to find innovative solutions that enable more efficient planning and use of track capacities, avoid overcrowding, and minimize empty runs. We expect creative approaches that contribute to seamless, efficient rail traffic.  

2. Cross-Border Mobility and Logistics 🚅🌍📦  

In this theme track, we are looking for challenges that enhance the experience and efficiency of cross-border passenger and freight transport. Concepts should harmonize information flows, enrich long-distance travel, and promote the internationalization of services. We expect proposals that strengthen market positioning and increase system stability and punctuality through innovative processes along the travel and transport chain. What new services could be created to facilitate access to rail transport?  

3. Efficient Disruption and Construction Site Management 🛠📲🌱  

This theme track calls for challenges that enable quick and effective management of construction sites and disruptions in rail traffic. We are looking for ways to guarantee operational safety, optimize information flows, and ensure the reliability of rail traffic even in unforeseen circumstances. Also sought are innovative concepts that lead to improved deployment planning, sustainable performance, and a reduction of noise and CO2 emissions.  

4. Train Stations as Mobility Hubs 🏬🚉🚲   

This theme track seeks challenges that improve the function and experience of train stations and their surroundings. We are expecting innovative approaches for barrier-free access, smart space management, and the integration of mobility hubs to increase accessibility and comfort. Furthermore, ideas are sought that support an integrated mobility chain and offer individualized customer services at the station, establishing it as a central service location. "Station as a Service" is more than just a catchphrase here.  

5. Green Digitalization for Environmental Protection and Sustainability 🌳🚞💚  

This theme track invites the submission of challenges that address pioneering ideas and challenges in the areas of resilience, decarbonization, energy efficiency and circularity. We are looking for digital solutions that affect all areas of railway operations and logistics.   

6. Mobility and Logistics Think Tank 🔮🤖🔭  

This theme track invites the submission of challenges that deal with disruptive and forward-thinking ideas for the mobility and logistics of the year 2035. We are looking for creative approaches that may lie outside established patterns of thought and have the potential to fundamentally change the sector.