Railway Club Articles

A unique signalling system for Europe

Elena Ilie — 2010-04-09 13:27:52

“The long way towards an interoperable railway system”

In the beginning of the '90s, the European railway industry with support from the EU institutions engaged in creating a common railway signalling system. Over time, ETMS emerged as one of the most successful European industrial projects and is now on its way to making railway transport one of the most competitive transport modes.

Although railway transport is, by far, the safest, fastest and lowest CO2-emission mode of transport, it is, however, confronted with one of the most striving problems, that of cross-border traffic which is complex and difficult to manage and most of the times affects the competitiveness of this means of transport. Cross-border traffic is doubled by the differences of gauge, electrification systems, administrative procedures, that make interoperability difficult and increase operation costs.

Automotive industry crisis condemns combined traffic to subsistence

Alin Lupulescu — 2010-03-18 17:27:58

Combined traffic (CT) in Europe and Asia has been profoundly affected by the economic crisis in 2009, especially in the car industry, one of the main beneficiaries of this type of transport. Combined transport in Europe was one of the most profitable means of freight transport, the growth ratio during 2000-2008 exceeding even road cargo transport. EU aims at shifting 116 million tonnes per year from roads to rails by 2015.

Cost-cutting solutions for CFR C�l�tori. REVA Simeria – new solution on the railway market(… appeared from the lack of funds for railway passenger transport modernisation)

2010-03-09 18:46:01

Adaptability of Romanian companies in times of crisis: “Turnkey contract” - a complete solution for overcoming the economic crisis

REVA Simeria plans to develop a wide range of compartmented salon coaches, which come from the redesign, refurbishment and modernisation of older passenger coaches, series 2047-2057 and 2147-2157, for a price of approximately RON 1,300,000. This price is approximately 30% lower than the prices stipulated in the frame agreements signed until now by CFR C�l�tori.
Although it is mandatory to intensify the rolling stock renewal and modernisation policy, as a priority measures which derives from the Priority Measure Plan for European Integration, the funds allocated to that end have dropped over the years.
The limited state budget, the economic crisis, the constant need for cost-efficient measures have determined Romanian companies to seek, together with CFR C�l�tori, innovative solutions to surpass this deadlock. One of the companies that have come up with a solution is REVA Simeria.

CER: Romania, last in railway investments. Romanian Government supports the road sector

2010-03-05 15:23:36

Out of all the EU member states, Romania is last in railway investments. “In 1006, Romania invested EUR 147/track km”, said Johannes Ludewig, Executive Director CER, during the conference “Project and solutions for building an interoperable railway network in Central and Eastern Europe”, organised by Club Feroviar and the Romanian Railway Industry Association (AIF), during February 25-26, 2010.

Freight transport is more efficient on railways

Elena Ilie - Translated by Alina Vu�ulicu — 2010-02-19 13:06:09

Economic integration in the Wider Black Sea Area represents the extension and intensification of the connections linking national economies. Trade, finance, passenger transport infrastructure, but especially freight infrastructures or a communication infrastructure are mechanisms of economic integration but this is not a simple or safe process. Political and cultural connections represent the foundation of an economic alliance. Geography can be a hindrance in the path of integration but technology can overcome these obstacles. The “technology” of establishing railway transport corridors in the Area is imperative.

“Efficiently combining road and railway transport”

Interview recorded by Alin Lupulescu — 2010-02-12 15:46:01

The acquisition of the shipping house Romtrans by the Romanian subsidiary of DB Schenker was the largest transaction on the transport market in 2009. On January 1, 2010, the merge became effective so that we can talk about a single company, Schenker Romtrans, which is leader on the shipping house market. Railway Pro put together an interview with General Manager Albin Budinsky wanting to find out more about the company's expectations in the year which has just begun and how the company would manage to maintain its dominance given the fact that its main competitors expanded their services and announced massive investments for 2010.

Engine drivers benefit from European certification

Elena Ilie — 2010-01-29 11:11:38

Directive 59/2007, part of the Third Railway Package, stipulates the certification of engine drivers that work in the communitarian railway system. The goal of these joint provisions should be, first of all, to facilitate engine driver mobility from one EU member state to another, as well as from one railway company to another. The general goal is to recognise the additional authorizations and certifications harmonised by all the parties involved in the railway sector. To that effect, it is essential to stipulate the minimal requirements which the applicants have to meet in order to obtain a harmonized authorization or certification. The provisions also specify the tasks which the competent authorities, engine drivers and other parties involved are responsible for, especially the railway transport operators, infrastructure managers and training centres.

More investments help crisis recovery

Elena Ilie — 2009-12-18 16:42:41

CER (Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies) welcomes the recognition in the Communication of Commission that carbon emissions from the transport sector need to be reduced and that energy security needs to be addressed. However, we consider that insufficient weight is given to environmental issues and that too much emphasis is given to technology and the setting of standards as providing the main solutions to the emissions problem. Prices, whilst mentioned in the Communication, are given insufficient weight - they are a key part of the solution to transport emissions. Not only will prices that internalise external costs, under the ‘polluter pays principle’, change the behaviour of the users of the transport system, they will also lead to wider changes in society that will reduce demand for less sustainable transport modes and encourage innovation in technology and operational practices.

Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers – An International Commitment for the Environment

Felicia Gheorgie� — 2009-11-27 12:40:42

The Protocol was adopted in May 2003 in Kiev, during an extraordinary reunion of the signatory countries of the Convention on information access, public participation at the decision-making process and justice access in terms of environment (Aarhus Convention). The reunion was organised during the 5th Ministry Conference “Environment for Europe” (May 21-23, 2003). The European Community and other 36 countries acceded to this protocol (Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Switzerland, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, UK, Moldova, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Hungary). Slovakia and Albania also adhered to this protocol.

The new environmental law in France: Priority for passenger transport

Felicia Gheorghie� — 2009-11-06 15:13:30

In the field of passenger transport, the main objectives stipulated by Grenelle 1 include: reducing the use of hydrocarbons as a source of energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of pollution (noise, etc.) and increasing energy efficiency by creating an integrated and multimodal transport system. To that effect, the law gives priority to railway, maritime and fluvial transport and stipulates the priority development of public transport use.
In the field of infrastructures, in case of short-distance (inter-urban and periurban) and long-distance (domestic and international) transport, priority will be given to railway projects, to the detriment of road and air transport projects. The French State will make sure that, in case long-distance transport in France and in Europe, the passengers will benefit from railway alternatives to air transport. The State will also improve the links between large airport platforms and the high-speed railway network and encourage the use of public transport means to and from the airport.

9 out of 10 European citizens believe that traffic in their areas must be improved

Elena Ilie — 2009-10-02 10:05:12

On September 30, 2009, the European Commission has adopted a comprehensive Action Plan on Urban Mobility. The Action Plan proposes twenty concrete measures to help local, regional and national authorities achieve their goals for sustainable urban mobility.
Vice President Antonio Tajani, responsible for transport, said: "I am happy to present this comprehensive package of measures in the field of urban mobility today. Never before has the Commission proposed a set of concrete actions to make urban travel easier, greener and better organised.

Antonio Tajani: „ We can never afford to be complacent about railway safety”

Elena Ilie — 2009-09-11 12:42:44

The European Commission has published, on September 8th, a report on the implementation of the Community rail safety and interoperability directives which, together with legislation on market access, form the legal framework for a truly integrated European Railway Area. The Commission is globally satisfied with the quality of harmonisation of technical requirements but finds that the speed of implementation of harmonised rules is still slow. This is also due to the long life cycle of some parts of the rail systems, such as infrastructure and rolling stock.
Vice-President Antonio Tajani, the commissioner responsible for transport, said: "The European Railway Agency and the National Safety Authorities have only been established a few years ago, but they have already proved to be instrumental in building an integrated European Railway Area. It is my intention to strengthen the role of the agency even further".

Train to Copenhagen: UIC campaign for the railways. A special opportunity, a sustained effort

Felicia Gheorgie� — 2009-09-04 16:17:32

At the end of 2009, a new international environment agreement, successor of the Kyoto Protocol, will be signed during the UN Conference on Climate Change (COP 15), which will be held in Copenhagen, during December 7 – 18, 2009. Preceding this event, UIC (International Union of Railways) launched a campaign called “Train to Copenhagen”. Initiated under the logo “Bringing people to Copenhagen and COP 15 to people”, this campaign aims at bringing awareness among the decision-makers, the press and the wide public concerning the important role of railway transport in the fight against climate change. Seeing as the transport sector is currently responsible for 26% of the CO2 emissions at international level and, unlike other sectors, it didn’t manage to reduce the toxic emissions, but, on the contrary, they continue to increase, the main objective of this campaign is to outline the eco-friendly character of railway transport, the sustained efforts and the need to make investments in the railway infrastructure and to integrate the modes of transport.

"Railway accidents, on the increase" (!?)

Octavian Udri�te — 2009-08-17 17:28:53

BetuwerouteA route dedicated exclusively to freight transport

Elena Ilie — 2009-08-14 14:44:28

Betuweroute, an innovative project, has drawn the attention of the entire world. Through this route, the increasing freight volume coming from the international port of Rotterdam can reach faster and more easily to the German border and then on the continent, without crowding the already congested roads. The project was much needed, because almost the entire railway network in the Netherlands was taken over by passenger trains. Betuweroute is a key element of the TEN-T project on freight corridors, whose aim is to provide freight trains with free access to the entire European network with no border stops and without having to give priority to passenger trains.

ADIF launches the Green Plan

2009-07-23 13:28:04

In conformity with its commitments for sustainable development, the Spanish rail infrastructure manager, ADIF, has recently elaborated a Green Plan for 2009-2014, whose objective is to improve the environmental efficiency of its activity and contribute to improving the natural environment and biodiversity.

The Green Plan, framed in the context of its policy of Corporate Social Responsibility, supposes an initial investment of over EUR 30 Million.

Strategic vision forerunning the White Paper on Transport

Elena Ilie, Translated by Irina Laib�r — 2009-07-09 12:47:03

Communication from the European Commission

Preparing the launch of the new White Paper on Transport scheduled for 2010, the European Commission published, on June 17, the Communication entitled "A sustainable future for transport: Towards an integrated, technology-led and user friendly system". The present Communication was based on several forerunning documents, such as the "Transvisions" Study, which developed certain long-term scenarios for mobility in Europe. This evaluation aimed at analysing the performance of the Joint Transport Strategy, in order to fulfil the objectives of the 2001 White Paper, revised in 2006. Furthermore, the Communication was based on a debate within three ‘Focus Groups’ and a consultation of stakeholders, notably through a High Level Stakeholders’ Conference on March 9-10, 2009, when those involved in the transport activity expressed their opinions concerning the future development of transport in Europe.

Great Britain supports the recast of the First Railway Package

Felicia Gheorghie� — 2009-06-19 11:27:15

The inadequate implementation of the three directives from the First Railway Package urged the European Commission to recast the Package in order to consolidate the legislation. In conformity with its mission to analyse the matters concerning the European Union before Brussels makes any decision to influence the British stand, the European Union Committee of Great Britain's House of Lords drew up a report concerning the major problems encountered during the implementation of the First Package: the situation of the infrastructure manager and the railway regulatory authority, as well as the infrastructure access charges.
In order to draw up this report, the British Committee interviewed officials from the ministries of transport, the European Parliament, railway regulatory authorities, infrastructure managers and operators from several countries, as well as representatives from railway associations and organisations (CER, UIP, ERFA, EIM, CLECAT).

European Commission: special focus on reducing polluting emissions and simplifying the European legislation

Elena Ilie — 2009-06-03 12:59:45

On May 28, 2009, the European Commission (EC) presented the balance-sheet of all its achievements from the last five years. The most important achievement was the reunification of Europe, which was made possible through the expansion of the European Union in 2004 and 2007. The Commission had a very important role this past year in fighting against the negative affects of the economic crisis, but most of all in restoring the stability of financial markets and resuming credits. EC was the first international institution to elaborate a reliable plan for economic recovery. We all know the matter of the climate changes and we try … or at least most European citizens try as much as possible to reduce the polluting emissions which only aggravate the climate changes. The European Commission as well tried to reduce the polluting emissions and also tried to implement another approach through its specialized institutions.

And action!... for urban mobility

Elena Ilie — 2009-05-29 16:13:58

The idea of urban mobility refers to the identification of explicit and concrete solutions for a more efficient and attractive urban public transport but also for less interest in personal vehicle transport. An increased level of urban mobility in what concerns safety, efficiency and the environment is an essential objective in attracting the passengers towards the public transport.

On April, the European Parliament demanded a clear progress regarding the Action Plan for Urban Mobility, initially submitted by the European Commission in September 2007 after publishing the Green Paper on Urban Transport, a plan that, since its publication, has not been much taken into consideration or implemented. In 2005, an average of 60% of the population in Europe was living in the urban area, but the number of people living in the cities will increase to at least 80% during the 2020s. That is why, urban transport is a key element in the transport of goods and passengers all over the European countries. A significant percentage of the greenhouse gases are caused by road traffic in urban areas.