Part of the TEN-T/Trans-European Network for Transport support programme initiated by the EU consists of co-funding amounting to 500 million Euro in the period from 2007 to 2013. Mostly, these funds are flowing into the 6 corridors and corresponding installation of ERTMS. Railway infrastructure and railway undertakings (RIU and RU) can profit equally from the funds made available for the upgrading work.

Optimisation for IMs

As well as constructing new rail infrastructure, it is vital for infrastructure managers to optimise the utilisation of the existing rail network. In doing so, it is possible to take account of the predicted strong market development without detrimental effects on competitiveness. The installation of electronic interlocking systems combined with ERTMS in the partial segments can enhance productivity along the corridor. Further potential can be found in increasing the route parameters, for example axle load and train length, as well as scheduling improvements. All these measures must be viewed and coordinated cohesively for the whole corridor, in order to obtain and offer optimum concepts over and beyond the national frontiers for the corresponding major transport routes.

Chances for the RUs

The creation of a European Single Market, the dramatic increase of freight transport in Europe and the political support for an increase of rail freight transport above average, presents a highly promising future for RUs. Doubling business volume on the Corridor will have a positive effect on cost structures and open up possibilities for synergetic effects and new business concepts. Interoperable, cross-border operation reduces transport times and costs, and permits simplified planning of transport services over larger distances, as well as setting up new business relationships with customers who themselves cultivate international business structures.
In the medium term, the introduction of ERTMS forces RUs to invest in the upgrade of their vehicles accordingly. What counts here is the right point in time. Mature technology has to be installed and commissioned to avoid unnecessary or premature investment.
It is therefore essential from the point of view of IMs and RUs to develop the whole corridor in a holistic approach so that in the end, the railways as means of transport are given a competitive chance in the contest with their main competitor, the road.

Corridor network

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