Annual Report 2025 – ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG

ÖBB-Infrastruktur Aktiengesellschaft Group Management Report | Consolidated Financial Statements 27 C. Report on research and development ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG has, through its R&D strategy #INFRA.F&E_fit30, committed itself to the vision of driving the development of a capacity-optimised, highly reliable and cost-effective rail system for the future. Specific related strategic R&D objectives include: – The European harmonised, highly automated control system for open-track rail operations and shunting yards has been proven in a real-world operating environment. Related strategic R&D priorities include intelligent capacity management, as well as shunting and train preparation. – Reliable, integrable rail infrastructure, along with associated predictive models and automation solutions, has delivered significant benefits in terms of service delivery. Related strategic R&D priorities include smart assets and predictive maintenance, as well as key infrastructure components. – The reduction of CO 2 emissions, with a focus on concrete and steel for rail infrastructure, is ensured, and the resilience of the rail system to the effects of climate change is strengthened. Related strategic R&D priorities include reducing emissions and enhancing the climate resilience of the rail infrastructure. In 2025, ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG launched several multi-year R&D initiatives, all of which contribute directly to these three objectives. At a technological level, they address key strategic components – including digitalisation, automation, autonomous technologies (mechatronics, robotics, drones), cybersecurity and cryptography, telecommunications and artificial intelligence – to support the medium- to long-term business objectives of ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG. Issues such as the integration of future technologies for train control and signalling, as well as a new train radio standard, into a railway infrastructure that has evolved over time can only be addressed within a European framework and are, therefore, embedded within the ecosystem of the European railway research initiative, the “Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking” (ERJU). With a project volume of around EUR 1.2 billion until 2031 and the cooperation of 25European partners from the railway, industry and research sectors, the ERJU represents an important and European-coordinated step towards the further development of the railway system and the creation of an integrated and interoperable overall European solution. Many of ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG’s R&D activities are supported by national and European research programmes. Close cooperation has been established with BMIMI and FFG in this context. ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG has prepared and published the annual report retrospectively on its research activities in 2024, in order to provide a transparent insight into current research projects both internally and externally. As of 31.12.2025, ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG was working on 60 partly interrelated and overarching R&D projects. This also includes the individual projects being pursued as part of the VIF, ERJU, Shift2Rail, TARO and Rail4Future transport infrastructure research initiatives. The current project portfolio has a total volume of approx. EUR 41.9 million (for all current projects and respective durations up to and including 2031 without deduction of funding). D. Reporting on key features of the internal control and risk management system in respect of the accounting process The internal control system (ICS) is a key component of company-wide risk management and contributes to achieving the company's targets and safeguarding and protecting the company’s assets by systematically managing process-related risks by way of the targeted implementation of risk-mitigating and regularly monitored organisational control measures. It also supports the reliability of accounting processes to ensure that financial reporting complies with regulations. The ICS comprises the following elements: identification, analysis, evaluation, management, effectiveness monitoring, documentation and communication of ICS-relevant processes, risks and controls as well as monitoring these activities. The internal control system set up by the Management Board is based on the internationally recognised COSO (Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission) framework. This provides a recognised concept for designing an internal control system. The scope and orientation of the ICS correspond to the company-specific requirements and the specifications of the ÖBB Group.