Innovation
Innovation: the System Pillar of the new “Europe’s Rail” Joint Undertaking
Objective
- Under the multiannual research and innovation (R&I) programme “Horizon Europe” (2021-2027), the European Union and the rail industry have funded the Joint Undertaking “Europe’s Rail” (ERJU).
- This partnership, which has a budget of around EUR 1.2 billion, provides innovative solutions through dedicated “Flagship” R&D projects. The aim is to accelerate the deployment of integrated, interoperable and standardised innovations necessary to support the Single European Railway Area (SERA).
EIM actions in 2024
- EIM’s ExDir has been appointed as Chair of the ERJU’s High-Level Deployment Group. This Group is currently focussing on the deployment of FRMCS. It has created 3 different subgroups to analyse technical, legal, financial challenges and possible deployment scenarios. EIM contributed to the set-up of all these subgroups and participated in their work.
- EIM has actively contributed to the agreement within the System Pillar’s of the “Standardisation TSI Input Plan” (STIP). The STIP defines the SP deliverables, as well as the related coordination with the parallel work on the “EC Request” to ERA on the new revision exercise of the TSIs.
- EIM, through the EIM System Pillar HUB, has elaborated a document on the migration approach for a common Railway System Architecture, outlining EIM’s vision on migration and deployment of innovation deliverables of the System Pillar. This document has been used as reference for further discussion by the ERJU.
- EIM has liaised with its experts in the System Pillar “Core Group” and with the management of the ERJU to keep on improving some organisational shortcomings within the System Pillar, notably on the way it works with rail companies not directly involved in the work of the ERJU.
- EIM has organised weekly meetings of the EIM Group System Pillar HUB to ensure the association’s position on the deliverables to be approved by the System Pillar Steering Group, the main governing body within the System Pillar, and to follow up key issues on the development of discussions related to System Pillar deliverables.
- In parallel, EIM has actively collaborated with the other stakeholders to develop consensual positions on System Pillar matters (e.g. FRMCS, CCS, OPE satellite positioning, DAC, computing environment, etc).
- EIM has also collaborated with other stakeholders involved in the “SP Consortium”, in which EIM participates as “Observer”.
Outlook 2025
- EIM will continue to be actively engaged in the ERJU’s High-Level Deployment Group. This Group is expected to focus on the deliverables of its 3 different subgroups regarding the deployment of FRMCS. EIM will continue to contribute to the work of the subgroups and trigger members feedback as necessary.
- EIM will continue pushing the ERJU to improve the efficiency of the governance of the “System Pillar”, notably by assessing the work of the SP “Mirror groups” and by proposing remedies to Europe’s Rail management.
- EIM will contribute to the update of ERJU’s “Standardisation and TSI Input Plan” and ensure that the regulatory harmonisation channel for the relevant technical specifications (i.e. TSIs or European standards) meet the needs of IMs.
- EIM will continue liaising with other stakeholders to ensure a coherent sector approach between the STIP, the new EC mandate to ERA for the revision of the TSIs and the European standardisation process at the level of CEN-CENELEC and ETSI.
- EIM will start exchanging on the new “FP10 Programme” of the (possible) next EU R&I Programme which may provide funds to the next Europe’s Rail JU from 2028 onwards.
- EIM will continue supporting the active involvement of IMs including their awareness of the relevant activities of the JU for their organisation.
EC Regulation
Horizon Europe - Research and Innovation
EU LEGISLATION
INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGERS
EC Regulation establishing the Joint Undertakings under Horizon Europe (EC Single Basic Act)
Horizon Europe - Research and Innovation
EU LEGISLATION
INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGERS
Standardisation
Objectives
A Single European Railway Area (SERA) requires national rail systems to be interoperable, as defined in the 4th Rail Package and in the specific implementing regulations (see Technical Specifications for Interoperability-TSI). The TSIs are complemented by European standards (ENs) of the European Standardisation Organisations (ESOs). ENs are sometimes also used as part of the conformity process with the TSI specifications. Standardisation is becoming increasingly important, as European standards are seen by the EU regulatory bodies as a means to simplify the adoption and implementation of EU legislation, as well as the deployment of innovation in the rail sector.
EIM actions in 2024
- EIM has contributed to all relevant COG Rail meetings to identify the standardisation priorities of the sector.
- EIM has attended and contributed to ERA’s Topical WG on Standardisation.
- EIM monitors the participation of the IMs’ experts in the standardisation work on ESO level to identify potential representation gaps in the future.
Outlook 2025
- EIM will continue to promote the standardisation interests of IMs in all relevant EC, ERA and Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking fora, as well as during the exchange in EIMs’ Working Groups and in ESOs’ Technical Committees.
- EIM will continue promoting the dialogue and coordination within COG-RAIL on standardisation matters with the other rail stakeholders, notably in view of the possible EC revision of the EU Regulation on Standardisation.
- EIM will continue the dialogue with EC DG MOVE and ERA on possible new “EC Standard Requests” of the European Commission to the ESOs.
Regulation (EU) 2022/2480 amending Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 as regards decisions of European standardisation organisations concerning European standards and European standardisation deliverables
EU LEGISLATION
INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGERS