Project leadership

Leading and coordinating an international project

The project management includes an executive committee, composed of representatives of the transport ministries concerned and a European Economic Interest Grouping, EEIG, composed of the infrastructure managers of Spain (ADIF), France (RFF), Italy (RFI) and Slovenia (SZ).

The EEIG was set up on to manage and coordinate the project.

Who are the members of the EEIG ?

Railway infrastructure managers from Spain (ADIF), France (RFF), Italy (RFI) and Slovenia (SZ) set up a European Economic Interest Grouping (EEIG).

The president is M. Elia (RFI), the director is J. Capel (ADIF) and the co-director is F. Delaborde (RFF). The president of the General Assembly is M. Brezigar (SZ).

MAV, the railway infrastructure of Hungary, TP Ferro, the concessionaire of the high-speed line Perpignan-Figueras, and the railway undertakings take part in the meetings.

What is the role of the EEIG and how is it structured ?

The object of the EEIG is to promote amongst its members measures designed to improve interoperability, increase the range of service, and implement ERTMS on corridor D. The EEIG coordinates applications for funds to European authorities in that regard.

The EEIG fulfils the duties of managing board, implemented by the managers of railway infrastructure, as requested by the letter of intent from the French, Italian, Spanish and Slovenian ministers of Transport, signed in Brussels on 12th December 2006.

The EEIG is tasked with :

• preparing a detailed plan for implementing ERTMS on corridor D
• coordinating, introducing and supervising applications for financial support for ERTMS equipments
• possibly, collating and coordinating applications for financial support made by railway undertakings
• coordinating its action with the project managers of other European corridors and national project heads responsible for ERTMS implementation

As part of its activities, the EEIG may also :

• investigate and promote the introduction of other measures to operate or construct international routes, in coordination with RailNetEurope (RNE), or to make investments to fully ensure the corridor's potential and improve interoperability
• promote the introduction of other measures in order to improve the quality of service of freight on the corridor

The EEIG regularly reports on its activities (ERTMS, Quality and interoperability) to the executive committee and to the Corridor group, chaired by the European Coordinator for ERTMS projects, Karel Vinck.