The 12th International Conference on Computer SystemDesign and Operation in the Railway and other Transit Systems (COMPRAIL 2010) will be held in Beijing.This is the latest in the very successful series of meetings starting with Frankfurt in 1987 and followed by Rome (1990), Washington (1992), Madrid (1994), Berlin (1996),Lisbon (1998), Bologna (2000), Lemnos (2002), Dresden (2004), Prague (2006) and Toledo (2008). The conference aims to update the use of computer-based techniques, promoting their general awareness throughout the business management, design, manufacture and operation of railways and other advanced passenger, freight and transit systems. The meeting provides a forum for engineers, planners, designers, manufacturers and operators, to discuss how they can benefi t from the latest developments. It will also provide a forum for transit and rail operators.