The 'Railway Operating Community', which brings together European train operators and infrastructure managers who are members of CER, EIM and UIC, published a shared strategy: the Rail Technical Strategy Europe (RTSE).

The strategy is structured around the core themes set out in the business-led document “Challenge 2050” and it develops its technical pillar. This will enable the sector to exploit its opportunities to satisfy customer requirements and develop the rail system of the future accordingly.

Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, Director General, UIC said: ‘This is a groundbreaking document, partly because it shows how much common ground there is in terms of the shared vision of railway companies across Europe, but also because it helps the rail operating community to demonstrate what its business needs are in a really confident way. It shows we are commercially attractive and ready to meet the challenge of business for the decades ahead.’

RTSE is designed to support the transformation of the system and to shape the future railway in europe. It comprises the following central elements of the railway system: control command and communication (ccc), infrastructure, rolling stock, energy supply and consumption, information Management, railway people, security, safety.

The strategy does not position itself as a research agenda, however is well placed to guide and inspire future innovation through the EU Framework programme “Horizon 2020” to include the planned Shift2Rail.

RTSE is available here: