Author(s)

M. Jacyna, J. Szkopiński

Abstract

This paper presents the main aspects concerning a systemic approach towards the problem of the interoperability of rail transport. Following a decision about the opening of the EU market and transport services for rail transport, the European Parliament and Council have introduced a number of safety and interoperability directives for implementing interoperability on the rail systems in the EU. Their goal was to integrate the rail transport systems, despite the differences in control-command and signalling systems, power supply and operation systems, ensuring that they are safe and do not disrupt the running of trains in different countries (with different infrastructure managers).

This paper indicates the main areas in the railway system which strongly depend on interoperability implementation.

Keywords

railway, the market rail service, interoperability, technical compatibility, operational conditions, allocation of routes, NPV, TSI