Removing interoperability barriers- studies, works or mixed

The objective is to increase the interoperability of the rail system in EU.

Studies and / or works related to:

• Projects removing interoperability barriers in compliance with the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI) adopted by Directive (EU) 2016/797^[1] except for TSI control-command signalling, which is covered under the ERTMS topics.
• Deployment of telematics applications or upgrade/renewal of existing ones to seek compliance with Technical Specifications for Interoperability relating to Telematics Applications for Freight/Passenger Services in the railway sector. Project applicants must be prepared to collaborate with the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA), for compliance assessment and with a view to implement rail ontology for telematics applications. Priority will be given to support the Telematics applications relating to the following processes:
• Capacity management and traffic management of rail infrastructure (TAP/TAF TSIs),
• Train preparation (TAP/TAF TSIs),
• Management of freight wagons and their shipments (TAP/TAF TSI),
• Rail ticketing services (TAP TSI).
• Automatic gauge change facilities in rail freight traffic in accordance with Article 9(2), point (b)(v) of the CEF Regulation.
• Studies concerning Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) for rail freight operations (including validating the system in commercial operations). Projects must involve relevant stakeholder groups from at least 4 Member States and include testing in cross border and shunting yards operations. The studies can cover all phases/tasks necessary for collecting data on the system reliability and availability in commercial operations (technical, administrative, legal, certification/authorisation, procedures, etc.). The studies/technical reports shall contribute to a wider deployment of DAC in the EU and therefore be publicly available.

Investments concerning rolling stock, notably the installation of sensors or other devices on wagons, are not supported, except as regards DAC studies.

[1] Directive (EU) 2016/797 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the interoperability of the rail system within the European Union (recast) (OJ L 138, 26.5.2016, p. 44).