Databases
Telematics Applications for Freight and Passengers (formerly TAP and TAF)
Objective
TSI Telematics covers data exchanges between stakeholders at the company level, such as IMs, RUs, Service Facilities Operators, Wagon Keepers, etc. IMs mainly communicate with other IMs and RUs.
The TSI Telematics intent is for the efficient planning and optimisation of the railway and should not be confused with safety related signalling or operational-related TSIs (e.g. CCS or OPE TSIs). TSI Telematics does not cover interfaces and dialogue between trains and infrastructure, e.g. between train drivers and IMs’ signallers. TSI Telematics is non-safety related. The safety role is played by signalling systems, radio systems (GSM-R/FRMCS), and European operational instructions. TSI Telematics encompass communication at the level of companies (not individuals), e.g. IM-RU exchange on the estimated time of arrival.
Specifically, the functions of the TSI Telematics define data processing mostly regarding the following variables:
- When (at which point in time) data must be sent
- What (which kind of information and content) must be sent to
- Whom (partner or partners) and
- How (in which format) the data must be exchanged.
The purpose of the TSI is to receive and transmit information to and from existing systems in a standardised manner. It therefore does not prescribe any specific IT system, although such tools may facilitate implementation.
In November 2025, following a vote by Member States, the TSI TAF and TSI TAP were merged into a new TSI Telematics. The single TSI Telematics is composed of three main parts:
- Planning and Operations
- Freight
- Passenger
Both texts will be merged in 2025 to form a single TSI “Telematics”, composed of three main parts:
- Planning and Operations
- Freight
- Passenger
This merger resulted in the accumulation of capacity and operational measures in the TAF TSI, while the TAP TSI is being stripped of its substance, containing only ticket sales and passenger information. Notably, a number of open points remained as agreement could not be reached on several key areas.
The goal of the TSI Telematics is to “automate” and “digitalise” (thus the word “Telematic”) those exchanges while allowing each actor to get information from other IT systems into its internal one.
With the new TSI, ERA acts as the system authority for telematics applications. In that capacity, ERA maintains, monitors, and manages all corresponding subsystem requirements at the EU level. ERA publishes the so-called Technical Documents (TDs), which aim to facilitate the implementation of the regulation, giving support to more technical issues of telematics applications.
EIM in action
- EIM’s WG “Telematics” is involved in several platforms: EC EG, PRIME Subgroup digital, ERA Telematics WPs, and cooperates with the Joint Sector Group (JSG) and Sector Management Office.
- EIM’s WG “Telematics” actively influence and contributes to the TSI Telematics revision according to the interests of its members.
- EIM’s WG “Telematics” experts also participate in Technical Expert Groups (TEGs) meetings, under the remit of the JSG. Three types of meetings are held regarding Reference Files, Operational, and Planning. In these meetings, experts share and harmonise needs on the telematics message details, adding new messages, etc.
- EIM’s WG “Telematics” participate and actively contributes to the meetings of the Joint Sector Group and provides input to the TSI revision.
- EIM’s WG “Telematics” cooperates with ERA to amend and shape the Telematics TDs, promoting the interests of the EIM members.
- EIM’s WG “Telematics” keeps its members updated with relevant information from EC, ERA, rail representative bodies, etc.
- EIM’s WG “Telematics” cooperates closely with other EIM WGs (OPE, RINF).
EIM actions in 2025
- EIM has long advocated for interests of IMs in the revision of the TSI, escalating the issue (red lines) via formal letters to EC and ERA high management, jointly with other associations (CER, UIP).
- In this context, EIM also organised an extraordinary online meeting with representatives of Member States (RISC committee), intending to provide detailed explanations of the significant risks for the rail sector identified with the draft TSI.
- The EIM also played an active part in obtaining an impact study for the Commission, carried out by ERA.
- Overall, most of the issues identified by EIM were addressed in the legal text before its formal vote in November 2025.
- EIM, through its representatives, also followed the progress of the other 2 major European projects and their influence on TSI OPE and Telematics in particular: “Capacity” Regulation and ERJU System Pillar / Innovation Pillar.
Outlook 2026
- The EIMs will continue to be active and vigilant in promoting members’ interests.
- EIM will be involved in the update to the TDs as a recognised organisation and will be represented at the ERA Change Control Management board and WG, which continues under the new TSI Telematics.
- EIM will actively contribute to the governance restructure related to Telematics stakeholders. NB: changes will come from the Capacity Regulation planned approval in 2026. Such as the role of the European Network of Infrastructure Managers (ENIM), Network Coordinator, and ERA in its role of Telematics System Authority.
- EIM’s WG “Telematics” will continue participating in PRIME (Platform of Rail Infrastructure Managers in Europe), i.e. its subgroup on ‘Digital solutions for European rail capacity and traffic management in support of interoperability of different rail IT systems (technical borders), including European cross-border rail traffic’.
- EIM’s WG “Telematics” will organise regular WGs on telematic topics to share the state of the art and gather a joint vision of its members, with a special focus on the implementation challenges of the new TSI.
- EIM’s WG “Telematics” will ensure a significant role in the sector’s involvement in the future TSI revisions.
Application Guide
- Not yet available
Register of Infrastructure
Objective
The Register of Infrastructure (RINF) is the primary tool for describing the static characteristics and capabilities of the rail network, as required by European legislation on rail interoperability. Established and maintained by ERA, RINF serves as the authoritative platform for publishing rail network data, supporting two core business cases:
- Route Compatibility Checks (RCC) – verifying the technical characteristics required for a specific rolling stock to operate on a given line.
- Digital Route Book – providing RUs and train drivers with detailed technical information about the line.
Each network object is described through a set of properties, known as “parameters”, which define its capabilities and restrictions. Following the adoption of a new regulation in August 2023, work is currently underway to introduce an additional level of description capturing the detailed configuration of the network.
These characteristics enable RUs to assess the compatibility of their rolling stock with the infrastructure and to compile the Route Book for their personnel. The processes and information required for these operations are set out in TSI OPE, Appendix D.
RINF consists of a centralised database hosted and managed by ERA, covering:
- Operational Points (OPs) – representing stations, junctions, sidings, and similar facilities.
- Sections of Line (SoL) – describing the characteristics of tracks connecting Operational Points.
The system is structured across three levels: Micro, Meso, and Macro.
IMs, who hold comprehensive knowledge of their own rail infrastructure and its evolution, are responsible for supplying the necessary data to ERA. At the national level, this process may be coordinated by a National Register Entity (NRE), optionally mandated by the Member State to liaise with ERA throughout the implementation process.
RINF’s ambition is to become the definitive source of truth for infrastructure characteristics, serving EU-wide statistical purposes, implementation reporting, and the specific requirements of Military Mobility.
Beyond its core function, RINF is a pioneer in the semantic transformation of rail databases. The ERA Ontology plays a central role in this effort, and the newly established ERA Ontology Change Control Management Board ensures that EIM members can drive the ontology’s evolution in the most effective way for the sector’s needs.
EIM in action
- EIM represents the IMs as data providers for the RINF and, as such, ensures that all RINF parameters provide a real added value.
- EIM’s WG “RINF” ensures that the technical requirements are defined with adequate precision in the Application Guide.
- EIM’s WG “RINF” analyses the requirements described in the different TSIs to determine the relevant use cases. It challenges the relevant TSI experts when the use cases or the functional requirements are unclear.
- EIM’s WG “RINF” ensures that the technical requirements allow a representation of the reality suited to the use cases.
- EIM’s WG “RINF” coordinates with ERA to ensure realistic roadmaps.
- EIM’s WG “RINF” shares best practices and participates in the relevant ERA Working Party.
- EIM’s WG “RINF” cooperates heavily with CER’s RINF group on as many topics as possible.
EIM actions in 2025
- EIM’s WG RINF actively participated in joint sector RINF WGs meetings with CER, as well as in ERA’s RINF Working Parties, through designated speakers.
- EIM engaged with ERA at multiple levels to highlight the challenges of RINF implementation and to coordinate a realistic and achievable roadmap.
- EIM established an informal expert platform to facilitate the resolution of technical issues related to data upload, data formatting, and the management of different RINF environments.
- ERA Policy Officers and EIM experts held virtual informal brainstorming sessions focused on three key areas: the difficulties faced by IMs in providing data within the current RINF framework; the business case and practical use of RINF; and the data formats best suited to support RINF’s intended scope.
- Ontology experts were incorporated into relevant discussions within the EIM–CER RINF Working Group, enriching the technical dialogue with specialised input.
Outlook 2026
- EIM’s WG “RINF” will follow up on the new functionalities and milestones related to the RINF+ implementation, such as Linked Data, Microscopic data, schematics, Temporary Speed Restrictions, PLC alignment, Tunnels remodelled, etc.
- EIM’s WG “RINF” will continue to discuss with ERA how to i) improve the description of the network using more relevant parameter definitions, ii) implement the new data structures and data transfer procedures.
- Set up of an EIM/CER Task Force to identify existing parameters in RINF that need adjustments or removal, especially in the Energy and CCS domain.
- EIM will monitor the interactions between RINF and TSI Telematics obligations.
- EIM’s WG RINF will monitor the publication of the Production and User Acceptance release of the RINF tools, which would enable IMs to fulfil legal obligations.
- EIM’s WG RINF will contribute to the Working Party on ERA Ontology Change Control Management. The objective of this Working Party is to act as the Steering Board in the implementation of the Change Control Management procedure for the ERA Ontology.
Application guide