World Congress on Railway Research
October 19-23, 1999
Tokyo, Japan

Dear guests,

Welcome to WCRR'99, Tokyo, the Fourth World Congress on Railway Research.

WCRR'99, which will be held from October 18 to October 23 in Tokyo, is a truly memorable congress in railway technology, bidding farewell to the 20^th century, followed by the next WCRR in 2001 in Germany, which will be the harbinger of the 21^st Century. These two Congresses share the theme "New Technologies Create New Opportunities for the Railways and Society of the 21^st Century," and a variety of new technologies presented here at WCRR'99 are to be reviewed at WCRR 2001.

WCRR'99 in Tokyo is hosted by the Railway Technical Research Institute representing the companies of the JR (Japan Railways) group, and consists of sessions for paper presentations, an exhibition of innovative railway technologies, and technical visits to introduce new technologies of the JR-group companies.

Wishing for great success of this conference, it is our sincere hope that, on this significant occasion, all the participants will actively take part in the discussions and technical visits, to be exposed to the new technologies which will enable the coming 21^st Century to be the one for further development of railway systems.

On behalf of the WCRR'99 Organizing Committee and all the supporting and sponsoring organizations for WCRR'99, we would like to give our warmest welcome again to you all here in Tokyo.