The Interoperability Directives (2001/16/EC on the Conventional Railway System and 96/48/EC on High-Speed Lines) require the harmonization of railway systems and operation by progressively adopting the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI). These specifications aim at developing an interoperable transport system by setting the necessary steps to take during the implementation. The result will be a safe, efficient and quality transport. The Directive on the high-speed lines refers to the interoperability of the European community’s high-speed network, while the Directive on the conventional railway system extends the application of interoperability to include the conventional Trans-European network as stipulated in the Commission Decision 1692/96/EC.
Therefore, in order to develop a fully interoperable system within the EU, it is envisaged that the TSI scope will be extended from the high-speed lines to TEN and non-TEN conventional networks to cover the entire railway network. To that end, the conditions established to meet the interoperability requirements are the design, construction, operation, modernisation, rehabilitation, exploitation and maintenance of the entire railway system. Moreover, the TSIs should also be extended to the entire conventional railway system including the access to hubs and the main port facilities which serve several users.
The railway network is divided into several types of lines (passenger transport, mixed transport, freight transport, passengers or freight hubs, terminals included) which include traffic management and navigation system activities: technical installations for processing of data and communications for long-distance passenger transport and railway freight transport services to ensure safe exploitation, harmonisation of operation services and efficient traffic management. Rolling stock should also meet the necessary requirements to run on the entire conventional network. To that end, railway transport services demand a perfect compatibility between the infrastructure characteristics and the vehicle features, as well as an efficient interconnection of information and communication systems between different infrastructure managers and railway undertakings. The performance, safety, service quality and costs levels depend on this compatibility, interconnectivity and, especially railway transport interoperability. The difference between a high-speed railway network and a conventional railway network doesn’t justify two different directives. The TSI development procedures are the same for both systems, as it happens in the case of certifications of components and interoperability subsystems. Essential requirements are practically identical. Moreover, trains can freely shift from high-speed lines to conventional lines. The joint effect of scope extension is to replace national cross acceptance procedures, based on national technical regulations, with TSI-based EU procedures.
Clearly, the implementation of the measures required for the extension of TSIs’ scope includes costs and benefits. The European Railway Agency (ERA) has conducted a “cost/benefit” analysis of measures to be applied. Results showed reduction in capital costs, fees due to the appropriate use of vehicles, operation/maintenance costs and investments due to a better competitiveness between rolling stock manufacturing and maintenance undertakings. The analysis also revealed environment benefits due to improved railway technical elements. In infrastructure, the extension of the TSIs’ scope will reduce energy consumption. While the electric traction is covered by 4 main systems, there are another 13 power systems in different parts of the European railway network. It is necessary to harmonise these systems, but the costs involved are significant. While power will contribute to the development of the business sector, infrastructure managers will have to invest in maintenance and modernisation of managed networks. However, future investments in implementing infrastructure technological systems will reduce costs on the long term. Extension of the TSIs’ scope on the entire network and to all railway vehicles is an economic plus and stimulates economic development. If this extension proves to be beneficial, the transition towards the community railway network could begin in 2014. The extension of the TSIs’ scope will require a good coordination which provides worldwide synergies and benefits.
by Pamela Luică
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