The acrps is an international conference and the worldwide largest of its kind. Since 2003, regularly every two years, this conference brings together in Leipzig (DE) approximatly 550 experts from railway companies, infrastructure managers, of the rail industry, consulting companies and authorities from Europe and beyond.

As a result, questions were raised as to why this event format does not exist for the benefit of DC railways. This wish, which has been expressed many times, is to be reflected in the new conference dcrps, which will take place in the future alternating with the acrps at two-yearly intervals.

The dcrps will cover all DC railways from 600 V to 3 kV nominal voltage, both urban rail (tramway, metro, suburban, including trolley bus) such as eHighway and DC long-distance.

The Call for Papers was well received: 35 topics have been submitted. The resonance meant that a short-listing of suggestions had to be made; however, to avoid splitting the conference into several sections, the two event days are fully planned. Presentations covering themes such as international experiences, projects, rail power supply, electrical safety, energy and contact lines.

The panel discussion with participants from railway companies, the rail industry, authorities and associations will focus upon the  question of the future of d.c. rail power supply.