OPERATION OF THE CROSS-CHANNEL AND PARIS-BRUSSELS-COLOGNE- AMSTERDAM HIGH-SPEED TRAIN SYSTEMS

The problems of combining Europe's various high-speed trains with conventional services on one network are discussed. Details are given of the general organisation planned. Trainsets will be used in a pool, there will be a marketing centre in charge of market research for each system independent of the railways, train service preparations will be made by the railways and train driving provisions will be adapted to each type of service. Operational management is described and considered to be particularly important in achieving a high level of productivity. In the field of traffic control 4 sections have been identified: the new SNCF northern line, the new SNCB Brussels-frontier line, the Channel Tunnel and lines used on BR's south-east network. Each high-speed rail system will have a centre to monitor trainsets on a day-to-day basis and to take action if disruption occurs. The mandatory reservation of seats will mean that demand can be monitored and seat categories, capacity and ticket prices adapted accordingly. This paper was presented at the EURAILSPEED 92 conference held in Brussels, April 27-29, 1992. For the covering abstract see IRRD 853180.