Many innovations for rail vehicles aim to reduce energy consumption in order to make mass transportation systems less costly and more environmentally friendly. This is also the objective that Toni Schiffers pursues by means of his inventions. A brake specialist by trade, Schiffers has developed a self-energizing hydraulic brake system for rail vehicles. The brake system not only saves a lot of weight but also sets the required braking energy with great precision. The first trials are scheduled to take place in early 2014. Schiffers developed a non-self-energizing system for these trials to simplify the safety approval procedures — and with good reason. The approval processes for rail vehicle safety are becoming increasingly complex, especially when new technologies are being introduced. Schiffers works at the Infrastructure & Cities Sector in Erlangen, Germany.