The year 2016 marked 60 years since the establishment of the Research and Design Institute for Information Technology, Signalling and Telecommunications in Railway Transportation. The history of the Institute begins with the creation of the Design Bureau of the Main Directorate for Signalling and Communication of the Ministry of Railways of the USSR. On February 14, 1956 the Design Bureau was established by order of the Minister of Railways of the USSR.
Here, for the first time in the Soviet Union an automatic block system based on noncontact semiconductor elements was developed and later field tested at the Yakhroma – Dmitrov and Ramenskoye – Perovo lines of the Moscow Railway.
In mid-1990’s, following the adoption of the Railway industry information systems deployment program, the Institute was expanded and renamed NIIAS ZhT. Dedicated units of VNIIZHT were included in the Institute. Their experts brought advanced scientific know-how in automation, communication and information systems. The systems developed with their assistance remain in operation throughout the country’s railway network even today.
In 2000, in order to consolidate research and design activities in the area of railway information technology, NIIAS ZhT was reorganized into the head research establishment of the industry, Russian Research & Design
Institute for Information Technology, Signalling and Telecommunications in Railway Transportation of the Ministry of Railways of the Russian Federation.
In the area of process automation the Institute has undertaken a significant amount of work on integrated traffic management centers. A single data communication network has been developed that ensures the interaction of all subscribers and remote computers in accordance with the requirements of international standards.
In 2007, due to the reorganization of the Russian Railways the Joint Stock Company NIIAS was established as a subsidiary of JSC RZD.
Today, JSC NIIAS is a leading industry research institute whose activity is aimed at increasing the efficiency and safety of railway operations based on advanced computer technology, automation, control, telecommunications and other advanced solutions.
JSC RZD has formally assigned JSC NIIAS to lead the following strategic industry development activities:
- development and implementation of integrated intelligent railway operations control and automation systems,
- deployment of satellite and geoinformation technologies,
- development and deployment of LED technology,
- development and deployment of train control and protection systems along with other railway automation technology,
- cybersecurity.
Membership of JSC NIIAS and its representatives in foreign and Russian associations and communities