InnoTrans 2026, Featuring the International Tunnel Forum, This September in Berlin
With around 600 registered companies and more than 32 000 square metres of booked exhibition space, exhibitors from the Railway Infrastructure and Tunnel Construction sectors are seeing significant growth at InnoTrans 2026. The leading trade fair for transport technology will take place in Berlin from 22 to 25 September. A particular programme highlight will be the International Tunnel Forum, organised by STUVA. The themes for the two days of the event are: “Tunnels – Key to Ecology and Quality of Life” (23 September) and “Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence in Tunnel Construction and Operation” (24 September).
The Tunnel Construction and Railway Infrastructure segments are continuing their growth trajectory at InnoTrans 2026. Together, the nearly 600 exhibitors in this section of the leading trade fair for transport technology occupy more than 32 000 square metres at the fully booked Berlin Exhibition Centre. This represents a 5 per cent increase in the number of exhibitors compared with the previous InnoTrans 2024.
Around 170 000 visitors from 128 countries attended InnoTrans 2024, the leading trade fair for transport technology. From 22 to 25 September 2026, InnoTrans will once again take place at the Messe Berlin exhibition centre
Credit/Quelle: Messe Berlin GmbH
From digital planning and monitoring systems to innovative construction methods and sustainable solutions for tunnel construction and infrastructure management, companies and institutions are presenting their latest developments in Berlin. Among the largest exhibitors in the Tunnel Construction and Railway Infrastructure sectors are Fogtec, Orascom Construction, Vossloh, Voestalpine, Pandrol, Porr, Leonhard Weiss, Plasser & Theurer, Schwihag, Zitron and CFT Compact Filtertechnik.
Importance of Modern Infrastructure Projects Is Growing Worldwide
“The close interconnection between these two exhibition segments reflects the current challenges and developments in the transport sector,” says InnoTrans Director Kerstin Schulz: “The rising number of exhibitors at InnoTrans underpins the importance of modern infrastructure projects worldwide.”
“The momentum in our industry remains unbroken; the future requires high-performance infrastructure – and tunnels play a particularly important role in this,” says Prof. Dr.-Ing. Roland Leucker, Managing Director of the German Research Association for Tunnels and Transportation Facilities (STUVA): “Today, tunnels are far more than just transport structures – they are key to sustainable mobility and help to improve quality of life and preserve the environment.”
STUVA International Tunnel Forum on 23 and 24 September at the CityCube
In 2026, STUVA will once again organise the International Tunnel Forum as part of the InnoTrans Convention
Credit/Quelle: Klostermeier
STUVA will once again be hosting the International Tunnel Forum as part of the InnoTrans Convention in 2026. Since 2008, the Tunnel Forum has been addressing topical issues in the industry and has thus developed into a truly successful event. Leading experts will discuss the latest developments in mobility and tunnelling with an informed audience. STUVA’s events will take place on 23 and 24 September, from 2 pm to 4 pm each day, at CityCube Berlin, Level 3, M8. As in previous years, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Roland Leucker will host the forum on both days.
Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Tunnels – Key to Ecology and Quality of Life.
Tunnels provide much more than just efficient transport and supply routes. They are a key component of sustainable infrastructure, as they preserve valuable open spaces at ground level, protect sensitive natural habitats and improve the quality of life in towns and cities. In this context, innovative construction materials, sustainable design approaches and the development of sustainability expertise in urban transport planning are becoming increasingly important. At the same time, it is crucial to assess new projects holistically, taking into account not only economic but also environmental and social considerations. Ultimately, mobility needs must be reconciled with all sustainability objectives.
During the forum, four presentations followed by a panel discussion will present different perspectives on the contributions of tunnel construction to the three pillars of sustainability – economy, ecology and sociology – and discuss these using current practical examples.
Standardised Assessment – A Basis for Decision-Making in Tunnel and Transport Projects
Dipl.-Vw. Bernd Kollberg, Managing Director, Intraplan Consult GmbH, München
Climate-Efficient and Resource-Saving Concretes for Tunnel Construction
Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Haist, University of Stuttgart, President of German Committee for Structural Concrete (DAfStb), Stuttgart
Change Agents – Improving Quality of Life by Strengthening Sustainability Skills
Dr.-Ing. Peter Hoffmann, Project Management, Planning and Design of Major Infrastructure Projects, Schüßler-Plan Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH, Düsseldorf
Ecology meets Mobility – Pathways to Sustainable Railway Tunnels
Johanna Theilmann, Railmap Climate-Neutral Rail Infrastructure, Planning, Environment and Technical Innovations, DB InfraGO AG, Berlin
Thursday, 24 September 2026
Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence in Tunnel Construction and Operation
Digitalisation made its way into the design, construction and operation of tunnel structures many years ago. Modern digital methods enable more efficient project management, improve collaboration between all stakeholders and lay the foundations for well-informed decisions throughout a structure’s entire life cycle. For some time now, artificial intelligence has been increasingly applied in many sectors of the economy. It offers new opportunities to analyse large volumes of data, automate processes and further optimise the safe and cost-effective operation of facilities.
What opportunities does artificial intelligence offer for further improving digital design models, smart construction sites, or monitoring and maintenance systems in tunnel construction and operation? This question will be explored in four presentations followed by a panel discussion. Current developments, specific examples of application and future prospects will be presented and discussed.
The AI Revolution in Tunnelling and Civil Engineering? An Assessment from a Planning Perspective
Dr.-Ing. Andreas Bach, Managing Partner, Schüßler-Plan Digital, Düsseldorf
Digital Construction Processes in Tunnelling – Current Practice and Future Prospects
Dr.-Ing. Frank Abel, Head of the Austria and UK Division, Head of Tunnel Construction, Hochtief Infrastructure AG, Essen
Automation and Artificial Intelligence for Improved Performance, Safety and Efficiency in Tunnel Boring Machines
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gerhard Wehrmeyer, Head of Product Management Traffic Tunnelling, Herrenknecht AG, Schwanau
Semmering Base Tunnel: Managing Complexity through Lean Construction and Real-Time Data
Clemens Oberschmied, Product Owner Digital Engineering, Rhomberg Sersa Bahntechnik, Bregenz, Austria
STUVA Exhibition Stand
Once again, STUVA will be exhibiting at InnoTrans in 2026 with its own stand. Come and visit STUVA in Hall 5.2, Stand No. 940.
