Operations and Performances
Operations
Objective
Railway interoperability by means of a harmonised traffic management across Europe is crucial for establishing SERA and cross-border services, while also ensuring the safety of railway operations.
The EU aims to achieve interoperability in this domain through the implementation of the TSI for Operation and Traffic Management or ‘TSI OPE’ (Regulation (EU) 2023/1693 amending Regulation (EU) 2019/773).
TSI OPE defines the responsibilities of IMs and RUs and their staff regarding railway operations and traffic management, e.g.:
- Requirements for staff executing safety-critical tasks,
- Information exchange between IMs and RUs and their staff, in real-time as well as for a ‘Rule Book’ and ‘Route Book’,
- Operational requirements for trains, like train visibility, audibility, and braking,
- Safety of load and passengers, during train preparation and train runs,
- Route compatibility check between rolling stock and infrastructure,
- ERTMS operational rules,
- Fundamental operational principles and common operational rules, applicable to operations in ERTMS and Class B systems,
- Safety-related communication and operational instructions, including harmonised ‘European Instructions’ from signaller to driver,
- Infrastructure information from an IM to RUs through RINF for route compatibility and a ‘Route Book’ for drivers,
- Operational areas for which national rules are still allowed, like for shunting operations.
EIM actions in 2024
EIM’s WG “OPE” (Operations) has:
- Contributed to the update of the TSI OPE Application Guide published in June 2024, by reviewing multiple ERA draft versions and by introducing comments and proposals, including filled-in examples of ‘European Instructions’.
- Followed up on actions set out by ERA for the OPE WP and OH WG, not only by introducing comments, but also through text proposals.
- Reviewed the extensive Change Requests 574 to 576, followed by their closure.
- Fostered a partnership with the OPE WG of CER to share insights and to align positions where possible, in reporting on the outcome of OPE WP and OH WG, as well as in preparing these ERA meetings for the TSI OPE.
- Collected proposals from EIM members to enhance the TSI OPE in the Revisions until the end of 2026 and 2028.
- Collaborated regularly with external partners on specific topics, e.g.:
- ERJU – SP-OD (System Pillar – Operational Design) for operational concepts in the new System Pillar target system,
- UIC – Task Force for the SFERA Data Protocol ensuring a harmonised transmission of digital ‘European Instructions’
Outlook 2025
EIM’s WG “OPE” (Operations) will:
- Follow up on actions set out by ERA for the on-going Revision of the TSI OPE, as well as for the update of the TSI OPE Application Guide and AMOCs, following multiple Change Requests, technical innovations and the EC Request.
- Consolidate its own set of proposals for the TSI OPE and introduce them to ERA.
- Continue its interaction with external partners, like:
- OPE WG of CER to align positions as much as possible,
- SP-OD for operational concepts in the new System Pillar target system,
- UIC for the harmonised transmission of digital ‘European Instructions’ through the SFERA data Protocol.
Application guide
Advanced Data Analytics
Objective
IM’s asset management is more and more digitalised. This is particularly the case with predictive maintenance and its interrelated processes. IMs perform a wide range of activities related to data acquisition, the need for which will increase in the future. Given the increasing digitalisation requirements, Infrastructure Managers need to exchange information and experiences and cooperate among each other. The purpose is to accelerate innovation uptake and enhance digital reliability in maintenance operations. EIM’s Working Group on Advanced Data Analytics (WG ADA) exchanges knowledge on methods and tools related to data science and data analytics methods, based on real use-cases and practical experiences.
EIM actions in 2024
- The ADA WG organised 8 meetings and 2 deep dives to discuss various topics (e.g. lidar technologies and advanced data analytics on ERTMS).
- EIM also triggered the WG ADA on some ERJU innovation initiatives related to advance analytics, as well as on the new EU Act on Artificial intelligence.
Outlook 2025
- The WG ADA will continue to meet and discuss advanced data analytics in various applications.
- The WG will organise further ‘deep dives’ on specific topics.
Maintenance
Objective
- One of the main priorities of every rail infrastructure manager (IM) is to ensure a high standard of safety across its network. IMs develop maintenance plans to perform timely and efficient maintenance activities, while striving to increase the capacity and efficiency of their rail transport networks. Efficient maintenance is also crucial to ensure rail safety.
- For that purpose, EIM has set up a Maintenance Platform.
EIM in action
- EIM continues to monitor the maintenance trends amongst its members and create synergies with other relevant WGs (resilience, asset management).
- The members of the Maintenance Platform discuss issues, which have an impact on:
- IM’s value chain and return on investments,
- the optimisation of rail maintenance planning and processes,
- maintenance aspects in multimodal, intermodal and international transport,
- the safety culture of IMs,
- their maintenance management through innovation and digital technologies.
EIM actions in 2024
- Maintenance Platform meetings are convened upon members’ request
- During 2024 no meeting took place.
Outlook 2025
- EIM will organise new Platform meetings upon demand of its members.
Multimodal Digital Mobility Services
Objective
Following the State of the Union speech in September 2021, the European Commission (EC) announced its intention to present a proposal on Multimodal Digital Mobility Services (MDMS) in 2022. The objective of MDMS is to enhance ticketing and travel comparison across different transport modes, with a particular focus on cross-border rail travel.
For the rail sector, the initiative seeks to:
- Provide passengers with a comprehensive and transparent overview of available transport offers, independent of specific operators or platforms.
- Facilitate seamless multimodal travel by introducing a journey continuation obligation.
- Encourage market innovation by improving access for new entrants, including ticket sellers and transport operators.
Following an internal Regulatory Scrutiny Board (RSB) review, the EC decided to withdraw the proposal in September 2023, reflecting the need for further assessment and stakeholder engagement. Discussions on the future of MDMS continue, with a renewed initiative expected in 2025.
EIM in action
- EIM closely monitors the EC’s activities related to the MDMS initiative.
- EIM actively engages with other associations and EU institutions to discuss the implications of MDMS.
EIM actions in 2024
- EIM closely monitored the European Commission’s activities related to the MDMS proposal.
- EIM engaged in regular exchanges with EU institutions and relevant stakeholders to follow developments on MDMS.
Outlook 2025
- EIM will monitor the EC’s plans for a new MDMS proposal, expected in 2025.
- EIM will engage in discussions to ensure IMs’ interests are represented.
No official legislative proposal currently in force.
A new MDMS proposal is expected in 2025.