Quality and interoperability

Standardisation and harmonisation to improve quality

Corridor D is in line with the European project of promoting a rail freight oriented network. The project provides for the introduction of measures to improve technical interoperability and quality of service along the entire route.

Originally, the creation of a strong European rail network being promoted by the European Union and the initiative of rail corridors focussed on the introduction of ERTMS.

However, taking advantage of the regular meetings between the relevant partners and the work carried out on the corridor, the Corridor D EEIG wanted to add a second objective to the work: to improve the quality of service. To do so, it set up a "Quality and Interoperability" working group. It is clear that the deployment of ERTMS should be accompanied with other important investments and operational measures to be efficient and to bring benefits.

• standardisation of infrastructure parameters in order to meet capacity needs
• improvement of operational rules
• homogenisation of infrastructure parameters.
• development of a better offer of services

Standardisation of infrastructure parameters

In order to meet capacity needs on the corridor, the members will work on :

• the adoption of a train standard on the corridor, especially regarding train length, gauge, axle load and maximum speed
• the improvement of railway services : terminals, marshalling yards, relays

Improvement of operational rules

The infrastructure managers and railway companies involved in Corridor D are hindered by a strictly divided organisation inherited from the past, which does not take account of the opening-up of the market. To overcome this problem, the project provides for a change that will result in a consistent commercial service right along the route. In particular, changes will be made to the following :

• improvement of cross border capacity planning, path and quality measurement
• harmonisation of cross border rules : priority rules, administrative procedures

Capacity, traffic and system quality

The investments shall be justified on the basis of a cost-benefit analysis. That's the reason why the members are working on a business plan that will orient the investments according to their relevance.

In order to measure the quality of service, the members will define some key indicators of performance.