On November 23-24, 2024, Southwest Jiaotong University, China, hosted the Asia-Pacific Regional UIC TrainRail Hackathon under the theme: “What can be improved in the rail transport mode that will enrich the passenger experience, develop freight capacity, and streamline rail operation?”
The main competition took place in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, with sub-regional events in Japan and Thailand connected via live streaming. Participants included university and college students from the Asia-Pacific region, employees of railroad companies, and startup entrepreneurs in the railroad sector, as well as individuals with the skills and knowledge to present and develop innovative projects.
Winners of the first prize received certificates, prize money, and the opportunity to represent the Asia-Pacific region in the global final.
From Thailand, the Faculty of Engineering at Khon Kaen University (KKU) sent four teams of 18 students from the High-Speed Rail Engineering program to participate. The students included:
Mr. KONLAWAT CHARERNCHAISONG, Mr. APICHAI CHANGPHIM, Mr. NATCHAPOL SUTTHIKUL, Mr. PATOMCHOK CHOWCHUEN, Miss ACHIRAYA PHOOHONG, Mr. APISAN JUNTRASOMDEE, Mr. NANTCHANON PHAOPHANG, Mr. PITIWAT ANGSUVIRIYA, Miss MANUNCHARAT PECHWISAI, Mr. WORAPON DUANGNGAM, Mr. PUNNAWIT MONGKOLPIYAROJ, Mr. THANAPON MANOCHAI, Miss PHIRAYA WONGPHIPHAN, Miss NATTHAWADI SRIRAKSA, Mr. TEERASAKCHAI SIRICHANA, Mr. SURAWUT CHITTHAISONG, Mr. TEERAPON BOONTOD, Miss PIMPAKA KWANTO.
In the initial round, the teams submitted video presentations of their projects. Two teams from KKU advanced as representatives of Thailand.
Team 1 – “Train Station Luggage Check-in Service”: Proposed a service similar to airport luggage check-in, allowing passengers to check their heavy luggage without carrying it themselves. Members:
Mr. KONLAWAT CHARERNCHAISONG
Miss ACHIRAYA PHOOHONG
Miss PHIRAYA WONGPHIPHAN
Mr. PITIWAT ANGSUVIRIYA
Team 2 – “Passenger Valuables Anti-Loss Service at Train Stations”: Introduced a service enabling passengers to attach electronic tags to valuable items, with alerts provided upon exiting the station if any tagged items are left behind. Members:
Mr. APICHAI CHANGPHIM
Mr. THANAPON MANOCHAI
Mr. WORAPON DUANGNGAM
Miss MANUNCHARAT PECHWISAI
The two teams later combined to present a unified concept at the regional competition, competing against 18 other teams from various countries. KKU’s students secured second prize, along with five other teams from different nations.
This was the second edition of the UIC TrainRail Hackathon, which emphasizes innovation and development in the global railroad industry. The event, organized as a “Creator Marathon,” brings together creative talents to promote innovative thinking, develop prototypes, and propose practical solutions for real-world challenges in the railroad sector.
The UIC TrainRail Hackathon consists of two phases:
Regional Competitions held in Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and other regions.
Global Finals, held concurrently with the UIC World Congress on Rail Training (WCRT), where winners of the regional competitions represent their regions and compete on the international stage.Congratulations to the talented students from the Faculty of Engineering, KKU, for their outstanding achievement!
News : Butsarapon Intasaeng
Phptos : CHARTPAKORN KONGSRISUN
