INTEGRATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRAINS

Technological developments in the field of rail transport have been handled differently in the various European countries with the result that there are 3 track gauges, 5 power systems and various signalling and safety systems. A European Council Directive of July 1991 required harmonisation of all these systems to aid border crossings. The author suggests that this will have to occur in stages. It is expected that gauge and power systems will remain constant particularly as multi- system units are now available. Safety, signalling and control systems present a greater problem as does the exact match between components required for high-speed running. In order to make use of the advantages of individual rail systems for cross-border traffic a number of objectives have been set. These include the creation of the most compatible systems, coordination of research projects, medium-term development of standardised systems and the creation of conditions for international procurement of equipment. This paper was presented at the EURAILSPEED 92 conference held in Brussels, April 27-29, 1992. For the covering abstract see IRRD 853180.