The Institute for Rail Vehicles and Transport Systems (IFS) at RWTH Aachen University is involved in research and teaching of rail vehicles and their components. Questions in the areas of lightweight construction and structural integrity, driving dynamics and vibration comfort, wheel/rail interaction, assisted and driverless driving as well as condition monitoring are dealt with. The IFS conducts studies, computer-aided simulations and practical tests on the above-mentioned topics. To carry out the practical tests, the IFS has its own track facility with a connection to the public network of Deutsche Bahn.