Initiatives taken by the urban rail sector on technical harmonisation at European level: 'DURD' (Draft Urban Rail Directive) and 'URP' (Urban Rail Platform)

摘要

European railway legislation is a problem area for the urban rail sector, because the network interoperability pursued at the European level is not a relevant objective given the local character of networks. On the other hand, an adapted form of technical harmonisation still has to be promoted for local rail networks, as they could benefit from railway component or sub-rail system interchangeability, courtesy of compatible interfaces, and they could also benefit from the harmonisation of certain basic features. A European approach in this direction would enable the European Union's internal market to function better and could generate the economies of scale necessary both in investment and operation in order to promote the rail transport modes vital for the sustainable development of major conurbations.