• Objective

Interoperability of rail operations and traffic management across Europe is crucial for the safety of passenger and freight trains, in particular for cross border services. The EU targets to achieve interoperability on these matters through the reduction of national rules, concepts and standard communication protocols thanks to the development of the Technical Specifications for Interoperability for Operation and traffic management (OPE TSI) (Regulation (EU) 2015/995). TSI OPE sets the responsibilities between Infrastructure Managers (IMs) and Railway Undertakings (RUs) regarding the operations and traffic management (e.g. train composition issues, on-board equipment failures, emergency evacuation, pre-departure checklists tests, written orders, and management of emergency situations). Operational aspects are also covered by the Train Driver Directive 2007/57/EC.

• Involvement of Infrastructure Managers

IMs activities contribute to the definition of rules in the TSI OPE regarding, for instance, setting communication requirements between the control centres and the train drivers, contingency measures in cases of unexpected events, key performance indicators of rail and train/route technical compatibility checks. IMs also need to describe the limitations for an efficient use of the infrastructure.

• EIM in action

EIM’s OPE Working Group deals with all interfaces between IMs and RUs, notably the definition of communication principles, procedures as well as the design of new forms of safety-related information and operational rules;

EIM OPE experts participate actively in the corresponding EU Agency for Railways (ERA) Working Parties, including the ERTMS Operational Harmonisation Working Party.

Opportunities

• Harmonisation of the operational framework can bring down the non-tariff barriers for business;
• Reduction of diverging national rules fosters interoperability;
• IMs’ involvement in the development of automatic train operations will support safer rail traffic.

Challenges

• TSI OPE covers many different aspects. There is a risk to “overcharge” the TSI with ad-hoc legislation;
• Too many rules may increase complexity and costs