RTA is an internationally active independent research and testing institute for rail and road vehicles, aircraft and technical equipment exposed to extreme climatic conditions. As a world-wide recognised centre of expertise for climatic tests, RTA operates two modern climatic wind tunnels in Vienna with the aim of optimising thermal comfort in mass transport vehicles and improving the availability and safety of systems in industrially sensitive areas. RTA provides the opportunity to investigate the impact on weather on vehicles and components under realistic operating conditions. Any weather conditions van be produced at the push of a button - from intense solar radition to snow, rain and ice. The combination with wind, load and drive cycle simulations allows the implementation of realistic test scenarios. The facility has been specially designed for climatic tests on rail vehicles, but also ensures optimal testing conditions for aviation, road vehicles in general and busses and trucks in particular.