Operations and Performances
Operations
Objective
Interoperability of rail operations and traffic management across Europe is crucial for the safety of passenger and freight trains, in particular for cross border services. The EU aims to achieve interoperability in this domain via the implementation of the Technical Specifications for Interoperability for Operation and Traffic Management (TSI OPE) (Regulation (EU) 2019/773). TSI OPE sets the responsibilities between Rail Infrastructure Managers (IMs) and Railway Undertakings (RUs) regarding the operations and traffic management (e.g. train composition issues, on-board equipment failures, emergency evacuation, pre-departure checklists tests, operational instructions, degraded working and management of emergency situations).
EIM in action
- EIM OPE Working Group and its experts deal with all interfaces between IMs and RUs, notably the definition of communication principles and procedures and the design of new forms of safety-related information;
- EIM OPE experts participate actively in the corresponding EU Agency for Railways’ (ERA) OPE Working Party (OPE WP) and the ‘ERTMS Operational Harmonisation Working Group’ (OH WG);
- EIM OPE experts – in conjunction with other sector organisations and ERA – are active:
- In the update of the European Harmonised Operational Instructions for inclusion in the future TSI OPE version 2023;
- The revision of Appendix A for ERTMS railway operations;
- The 2nd stage of the Revision Cycle 2022 – continuing in 2023 – with the review of drafts provided by the European Commission in preparation of EC Expert Groups and the final vote during RISC on the future TSI OPE version 2023;
- In the update of the TSI OPE Application Guide version 2023.
EIM actions in 2022
EIM OPE experts:
- Review drafts provided by the European Commission in preparation of EC Expert Groups and the final vote during RISC on the future TSI OPE version 2023;
- Follow up on actions set out by ERA for the OPE WP and OH WG;
- Collaborate with EIM RINF experts for the provisions in the future TSI OPE version 2023 regarding RINF, taking into account the amended future RINF Regulation version 2023 and the future developments of the RINF tool;
- Collaborate with CER OPE experts to exchange insights and align positions where possible, in reporting on the outcome of OPE WP and OH WG as well as in their preparation.
Outlook 2023
EIM OPE experts will:
- Continue to review drafts provided by the European Commission in preparation of EC Expert Groups and the final vote during RISC on the future TSI OPE version 2023, as long as it takes due to decisions and planning by the European Commission;
- strengthen the collaboration with EUG (ERTMS Users Group) on some OPE aspects, as well as establish a closer follow up on ERTMS developments in collaboration with EIM ERTMS experts;
- Actively participate in the update of the TSI OPE Application version 2023, in reviewing draft versions provided by ERA and by introducing comments and proposals, until end of October 2023;
- Follow up on actions set out by ERA for the next Revision Cycle, i.e. by analysing Change Requests for the TSI OPE;
- Continue working closely on the following cross-related topics: DAC (digital automatic coupling), DDD (derailment detection device), TWG Freight (topical working group Freight) and ATO (automatic train operations).
Application guide
Route Compatibility Checks
Facts & context
Sub-topic
Before a Railway Undertaking (RU) operates a wagon or locomotive on a specific line, it is required to check that this vehicle is compatible with the relevant route. Articles 21 and 23 of Directive (EU) 2016/797 on Interoperability introduce the process for obtaining authorisation of a vehicle for an area of use and the ‘Route Compatibility Checks’ that must be done to ensure route compatibility before the authorised vehicle(s) can be used. The Technical Specifications for Interoperability on Operations (TSI OPE), Appendix D1 further defines the requirements the RUs have to check.
EIM in action
- EIM’s experts are involved in the TSI Revision Package 2023.
- EIM’s experts are involved in the relevant groups and committees of the European Commission and EU Agency for Railways (ERA) regarding the definition of the parameters that are needed for the route compatibility and drafting of the related documents.
EIM actions in 2022
- EIM has participated in the Topical Working Group Rolling Stock – Fixed Installations and the corresponding Task Forces Infrastructure Rolling Stock and Energy-Rolling Stock.
- EIM has collaborated with ERA to consider the route compatibility topics in the evolution of the RINF (register of infrastructure) and ERATV (European Register of Authorised Types of Vehicles).
- EIM has continued to exchange among the members of the different working groups that manage route compatibility related topics to share emerging barriers and to provide possible solutions.
Outlook 2023
- EIM will continue to follow-up the application of the 4th Railway Package, notably the implementation of Articles 21 and 23.
- EIM’s experts will continue to contribute to the relevant groups and committees of the European Commission and ERA.
- EIM will reactivate the Task Force Route Compatibility Checks (RCC) to follow the developments on RCC.