Despite substantial progress towards greater European rail interoperability since the adoption of the relevant directive in May 2016 (see EUROPE 11542/3), obstacles remain, according to the European Commission’s report published on Monday 14 July.
The increase in the number of requests for non-application of the provisions of the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs) highlights the difficulties in fully implementing the provisions relating to control-command and signalling, in particular. This applies in particular to the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS). In practice, registers suffer from low levels of digitalisation.
In addition, there are still differences in the way the directive has been transposed. The independent responsibilities of the National Safety Authorities (NSAs) in carrying out their tasks of authorising the EU rail network continue to vary from country to country. This is the case, for example, with the procedure for authorising the entry into service of the ERTMS. The Commission and the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) are currently examining the need to publish additional guidelines to enable a more harmonised approach.
Greater harmonisation would be necessary to make the network more efficient and reduce operating costs to the benefit of users and the rail industry.
To read the report: https://aeur.eu/f/i0m (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)