Infrastructure and Stations
Stations
Objective
In Europe, some rail infrastructure managers own or operate stations. In some cases, the operational part of station management is delegated to another entity, which could also be a railway undertaking. EIM’s members, who manage stations, are keen to share knowledge and experience with European peers on topics such as station management, development and operations, but also on critical and strategic issues (e.g. security, digitalisation and multimodality).
EIM actions in 2024
- Experts of EIM WG “Stations” met jointly with Experts of EIM WG “PRM”.
- The WG “Stations” has exchanged on topics of indoor navigation/ digital wayfinding, passenger waiting areas and creating level access platforms.
- EIM WG “Stations” discussed the current ‘hot topic’ of Open Access and the impact this has on Station operations ((wayfinding, security, catering facilities etc.)
- The WG seeks to increase participation in the WG to maximise the benefit for each member.
Outlook 2025
- EIM’s WG “Stations” will continue discussing level access platforms and foresees fast-moving new developments such as digital wayfinding in stations (improving indoor navigation) and the impact of open access on stations operations (multiple RUs operating in one station).
- EIM WG “Stations” will share experiences on major station maintenance works and continued safe operations of the station.
Infrastructures
Objective
The 4th Railway Package, especially the Directive (EU) 2016/797 on the interoperability of the rail system within the European Union, require the adaptation of the network to European standards to allow a smooth circulation of trains in Europe. The first step for rail Infrastructure Managers (IMs) towards this goal is to follow the European requirements when renewing, upgrading or building new lines and stations. These requirements are stated in the Technical Specification for Interoperability on Infrastructure (TSI INF) (Regulation (EU) 1299/2014) to ensure the interoperability of the subsystem. IMs are committed to increase the capacity and efficiency of their rail infrastructure to the goal of the EU to shift medium distance passenger transport and freight from aviation and road to rail and to cut CO2 emissions in transport by 90% by 2050, as defined in the 2021 EU “Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy’.
EIM actions in 2024
- EIM INF WG hasn’t have interaction with EU Agency for Railways (ERA) in 2024.
- EIM’s WG “INF” held 5 joint meetings with CER’s WG INF (Joint EIM CER WG INF) chaired by EIM’s WG “INF”. We have discussed and reviewed pending change requests, (postponed, assigned, valid, submitted), track resistance to applied loads, Chapter 7 about definition of major modification, upgrade, renewal and substitution in the framework of maintenance. We have also discussed EIM INF part in the new ERA Topical Working Group Platform Train interface and preliminary conclude that we will not take part in that TWG except from minor support if needed. This means that EIM INF will not take part in any technical TWG in TSI revision 2024-2028.
Outlook 2025
EIM’s WG “INF” will continue its work related to the following topics:
- Preparation of the next revision of the TSI INF:
- Review of interoperable constituents (IC);
- Pressure ERA to include definition of major modification again;
- Submitting joint EIM-CER INF Change Requests;
- HABD & HWD;
- Input to and clarification of the new EC mandate:
- Is “refuelling of traction battery” really an INF topic?
- What is expected on the new topic “low-cost infrastructure for low density lines”?
- Sharing of experience between IMs to understand and assess:
- Track resistance to applied loads (4.2.6)
- Equivalent vertical loading for new geotechnical structures, etc. (4.2.7.2)
- If we have time and resources prepare a “best practice/handbook” for assessment of the basic parameter of the TSI INF
The “priorities and focus” depends on ERA’s working process for the next revision of the TSI INF and the new working groups.
Application guide
Asset Management
Objective
The efficient management of rail infrastructure assets, including the accurate forecast of related investment plans are the cornerstone of the business of rail infrastructure managers (IMs). IMs are looking to maximize the ‘value for money’ of their operations to deliver benefits to funders and other stakeholders and to improve service delivery to customers through ever more efficient asset management. Efficient asset management is about the right balance between the cost of maintenance, renewal, traffic management and delivering excellent customer service as well as the revenue generated from commercial activities and subsidies.
EIM actions in 2024
- The activities are currently on hold.
Outlook 2025
- EIM will assess opportunities to tackle specific issues, complementary to activities conducted on EU level.
Resilience
Objective
Degraded situations stemming from a lack of preparedness for extreme and unexpected events are an increasing concern as these events may affect the performance or lifespan of assets owned and operated by Rail Infrastructure Managers (IMs). This can have severe operational, financial, environmental and social consequences. Therefore, ‘resilience’ is becoming an increasingly critical topic for IMs.
IMs ensure efficient rail operations through the development of dedicated resilience plans and processes covering the entire value chain of infrastructure management. Resilience aspects may include, among others, business continuity in case of sanitary and political crises, climate change, technical failures, (cyber)security issues and human errors.
EIM actions in 2024
- EIM continued to support the exchange within the WG Resilience on different aspects linked to the resilience of IMs’ assets and operations.
- The WG exchanged on the latest updates of the respective Business Continuity Plans and on climate change adaptation
- The WG also welcomed the participation of non-EIM members as “observers”.
Outlook 2025
- The WG will organise a deep dive to exchange on the experience of IMs following the floods in Spain and in other countries.
- Due to the growing number of EC initiatives related to security and cybersecurity prevention measures as well as business continuity aspects, the WG will strengthen its coordination with EIM’s WG “SEC/CYBER”.