Interoperability in rail freight transport

What does interoperability mean?

Interoperability in rail freight transport describes the ability for trains to travel across national borders without technical or administrative obstacles. This is crucial for efficient, sustainable and competitive European rail transport.

European rail transport has grown historically and has been developed individually in many countries. Different technical standards therefore make it difficult to utilise the infrastructure seamlessly. Better interoperability makes it possible to organise cross-border rail freight transport more efficiently and economically.

The challenges of interoperability

There are numerous differences across Europe in:

• Gauges: While most European countries use the standard gauge of 1,435 mm, there are deviations, e.g. the broad gauge (1,520 mm) in Spain and Russia. Deviating track gauges make it necessary to reload the goods or to regauge (exchange the running gear or modify the running gear) the entire train.
• Current systems: Different AC and DC systems (e.g. 15 kV, 25 kV AC or 3 kV DC) require special locomotives.
• Train control systems: National safety systems such as PZB (Germany), TVM (France) or ASFA (Spain) make standardised control complex.

For freight transport, these differences often mean costly locomotive changes at the borders and make a continuous transport chain more difficult.

Solutions for seamless rail transport

The European Union is committed to harmonising the rail network. Two key measures are helping to promote interoperability:

1. introduction of the European Train Control System (ETCS)
The ETCS (European Train Control System) is a standardised train control system that replaces national systems and enables consistent train communication. It ensures that trains can operate safely and efficiently across borders, regardless of national regulations.

The implementation of ETCS is taking place in several stages and is progressing steadily. Countries such as Germany and Austria are increasingly focussing on the expansion of this technology in order to facilitate cross-border transport. The next implementation step for ETCS migration (Level 2) is planned for 2026. Detailed information on this can be found on the ECTS website of ÖBB-Infrastruktur.

2. multi-system locomotives for flexible use
Modern multi-system locomotives are now able to use several power and signalling systems. They offer:

• Greater flexibility for international transport operations
• Reduced downtimes at the border
• Fewer administrative hurdles and increased efficiency in operation

These locomotives are an important milestone in realising cross-border freight transport without complex technical adaptations.

Advantages of interoperability

Smooth, interoperable rail freight transport brings numerous benefits for companies, customers and the environment:

• Greater efficiency: shorter transport times and lower operating costs thanks to optimised routing.
• Sustainability: Shifting more freight to rail means lower CO₂ emissions and an important contribution to achieving climate targets.
• Strengthening the European economy: An interconnected rail network improves international trade and increases the competitiveness of rail compared to other modes of transport.
• Less bureaucracy: Harmonised rules and technical standards simplify administrative processes and reduce costs.

The future of interoperability in Europe

The vision of a fully interoperable rail network requires continuous investment in infrastructure and technologies. EU initiatives such as the ‘Trans-European Transport Network’ (TEN-T) continue to drive expansion and focus on the modernisation of existing routes.

In the future, the focus will be on the further digitalisation of rail transport, for example through intelligent telematics systems, automated processes and increased data exchange between infrastructure managers and rail transport companies.

Conclusion

Interoperability is a key building block for the future of rail freight transport. With standardised systems and technological innovations, Europe will continue to make progress towards an efficient and environmentally friendly transport network. Companies that rely on rail freight transport will benefit from more efficient, more flexible and more sustainable transport solutions.