Innovation
The System Pillar of the new “Europe’s Rail” Joint Undertaking
Objectives
- Under the “Horizon Europe” multiannual research and innovation (R&I) programme (2021-2027) the European Union and the rail industry have funded the Joint Undertaking “Europe’s Rail”.
- This partnership, whose budget is around EUR 1.2 billion, provides innovative solutions through dedicated “Flagship” R&D projects, integrated within an architectural system approach. The aim is to accelerate the penetration of integrated, interoperable and standardised innovations necessary to support the Single European Railway Area (SERA).
EIM in action
- EIM has been actively contributing in the ramping-up of the System Pillar of Europe’s Rail. The overall organisational definition of the System Pillar has been progressing steadily during 2022 in parallel with the definition of the Flagship Areas’ priorities and R&I projects under the “Innovation Pillar” of the JU.
- EIM has been actively engaged in leveraging the interests of its members, both of founding and non-founding members, through the definition of the organisational set up of the new JU.
EIM actions in 2022
- EIM set up an “EIM System Pillar Mirror Steering Group” and an “Experts Team” to support EIM’s internal reporting, coordination and decision making process regarding the work at the level of Europe’s Rail “System Pillar Steering Group”.
- In parallel, EIM appointed 2 experts to the System Pillar “Core Group”.
- Since April 2022, EIM collaborated with the other stakeholders to prepare the rail sector’s reply to the open Call for Tender of EUR 45 million regarding the management of the different tasks of the System Pillar.
- For that purpose the sector agreed to set up a “SP Consortium”, in which EIM participates as “Observer”, due to the excellent collaboration with the “European Users Group” association as the “Coordinator” of the SP Consortium.
Outlook 2023
- EIM will continue consolidating its position in the governance of the “System Pillar”.
- EIM will also continue supporting the active involvement of IMs including their awareness of the relevant activities of the JU for their organisation.
- EIM will continue to promote the link between the new JU “Europe’s Rail” deliverables and standardisation activities in the relevant stakeholder groups, alongside enhanced coordination with ERA.
EC Regulation Horizon Europe - Research and Innovation
EU LEGISLATION
INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGERS
EC Regulation establishing the Joint Undertakings under Horizon Europe (EC Single Basic Act) Horizon Europe - Research and Innovation
EU LEGISLATION
INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGERS
Standardisation
Objectives
A Single European Railway Area (SERA) requires national rail systems to be interoperable, as defined in the 4th Rail Package and in the specific implementing regulations (see Technical Specifications for Interoperability-TSI). The TSIs are complemented by European standards (ENs) of the European Standardisation Organisations (ESOs). ENs are sometimes also used as part of the conformity process with the TSI specifications.
EIM in action
- EIM is actively involved in standardisation through the participation and contribution to different dedicated groups, such as:
- i) the European Sector Forum Rail (SFR, formerly JPCR), composed of rail sector players (manufacturers, infrastructure managers, other rail stakeholders), CEN, CENELEC and ETSI;
- ii) the Standardisation Coordination Platform for Europe (RASCOP), composed of the same stakeholders as well as the European Commission and the EU Agency for Railways (ERA);
- iii) the System Pillar of Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking, that agrees and follows the annual “Standardisation/TSI Input Plan” in coordination with the above-mentioned Groups;
EIM actions in 2022
- EIM contributed in all relevant SFR and RASCOP meetings to identify the sector’s priorities in terms of standardisation;
- EIM attended and contributed to ERA’s Topical WG on Standardisation.
Outlook 2023
- EIM will continue to promote the standardisation interests of its members in all relevant EC and ERA fora, as well as during the information exchange between the experts of EIM’s Working Groups and ESO’s Technical Committees.
- EIM, in coordination with other rail stakeholders, will continue engaging in a dialogue with the EC, the ESOs and within the System Pillar of Europe’s Rail to promote the development of standards to the benefit of IMs.
Regulation (EU) 2022/2480 introducing amendments to Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 on European standardisation
EU LEGISLATION
INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGERS