The European standardization community recently issued important calls for experts to contribute to two pivotal initiatives poised to shape the future of rail transport across the continent. They focus on the EU Rail Fare Profile and on the Railway Gauge standardization, both of which are critical to achieving interoperability, efficiency, and sustainability within the European rail network.
EU Rail Fare Profile under NeTEx: Enhancing Interoperability and Passenger Experience
The EU Rail Fare Profile, developed under the NeTEx series by CEN/TC 278 ‘Intelligent Transport Systems’, is integral to realizing the vision of a Single European Railway Area. This initiative addresses the pressing need for standardization in rail fare data exchange to enable seamless cross-border and multimodal travel.
Standardizing fare structures, pricing models, and data exchange protocols ensures compatibility across national systems, improving transparency and passenger satisfaction. By fostering market competition and supporting innovation, the Profile aligns with the European Green Deal's objectives, promoting public transport as a sustainable alternative to private vehicles.
Furthermore, the Profile underpins advanced mobility services such as Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) platforms and dynamic pricing models, leveraging data interoperability to enhance operational efficiency and real-time fare management.
Its support for revising Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI) Telematics is crucial for member states to achieve seamless data exchange and strengthen interoperability, paving the way for an integrated European transport ecosystem.
Addressing Railway Gauge Challenges: Unifying Europe’s Rail Systems
The second call for expertise, initiated by CEN/TC 256 ‘Railway Applications’, addresses the complexities posed by varying railway gauges in Europe.
While the standard gauge of 1,435 mm is prevalent across the continent, other gauges, such as the Russian gauge of 1,520 mm and the Iberian gauge of 1,668 mm, present significant interoperability challenges.
These discrepancies hinder the seamless movement of trains across borders, necessitating costly solutions like bogie exchanges or variable gauge systems.
To overcome these barriers, initiatives such as Rail Baltica aim to construct a standard-gauge railway connecting the Baltic states with the broader European network. This will facilitate efficient passenger and freight transport, strengthen economic ties, and reduce transit times.
Experts are needed to address the technical, operational, and regulatory aspects of integrating diverse gauge systems. Their contributions will be instrumental in driving projects that align with Europe's broader goals of connectivity and economic cohesion.
An Invitation to Shape the Future
The CEN and CENELEC technical committees call upon experts mastering the above-mentioned niche competences and knowledge from across the rail sector to join these transformative efforts. Contributions to the initiatives will not only enhance Europe's rail infrastructure but also promote sustainable mobility and foster economic growth.
The calls for Experts are available here:
- Call for Experts - European Fare Rail Profile NeTEx for CEN/TC 278 'Intelligent Transport System'
- Call for Experts in the field of gauges other than standard gauge 1435 mm for CEN/TC 256/SC 4/WG 10 'Vehicle/track interaction'
Interested parties are encouraged to respond to these calls for experts, ensuring their expertise shapes the standards and systems that will define the future of European railways.
