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Latest issue / 6 December 2011 /
The Railway Infrastructure Administration, state organisation (SŽDC) is the infrastructure manager in the Czech Republic and, in addition to other duties is responsible for the modernisation and development of the railway network. It launched its operations on 1 January 2003 as one of two successors of the former Czech Railways state organisation (the other successor is the Czech Railways, joint-stock company). The separation of the infrastructure manager from the biggest railway carrier (Czech Railways) launched the transformation of the railway system in the Czech Republic, a process which went on to implement another change on 1 September 2011.
The transformation of the railway system in the Czech Republic continues
SŽDC’s primary task is to carry out the function of the owner and the operator of the national and regional rail. The principal operations include operating the railway infrastructure, en – suring its operability and, last but not least, ensuring the modernisation and development of the railway network in the Czech Republic. SŽDC manages state assets represented by the railway infrastructure in the Czech Republic. The railway network of the Czech Republic is one of the densest in Europe; we have 0.12km of lines per square kilometre. (more…)
Issue 6 2010 / 10 December 2010 /
The railway is a highly complex system relying on a vast number of electrical and mechanical components working properly together to keep the 24,000 trains that operate in Great Britain running safely, reliably and efficiently. Every minute, thousands of electrical components are called upon to carry out critical functions to keep services running smoothly and on time. (more…)
Issue 4 2010 / 3 August 2010 /
Former Railway Interoperability Directives (96/48/EC and 2001/16/EC and their amendments) have been repealed on 19 July 2010 by the Directive 2008/57/EC on the interoperability of the rail system within the Community. These directives have changed the way that fixed railway infrastructure, the rolling stock that runs on it and certain components are designed, assessed and put into service. These changes have happened across Europe. Notified Bodies have a key role in these common European processes.
Notified Bodies, otherwise known as NoBo’s, are acting more-and-more in the railway field. Nevertheless, the involvement of a Notified Body at the earliest stages of a project is not yet a reflex for many manufacturers, suppliers or contracting entities. (more…)
Issue 3 2010 / 31 May 2010 /
SŽDC, the Czech Railway Infrastructure Administration, is responsible for the modernisation and development of the railway network in the Czech Republic. We put great effort into enhancing the quality of our railway infrastructure and, together with carriers, we offer reliable services to both passengers and freight transport.
In my opinion, if the European railways do not establish a top-quality and reliable network in the near future, and do not provide customers with high-quality services with the assistance of carriers, then their future might be seriously endangered. (more…)
Issue 5 2009, Past issues / 26 September 2009 /
Since March 2008, Tilo Brandis has been President and CEO of RAIL.ONE GmbH. After his studies at various universities in Europe and at Harvard Business School, Brandis began his career at HBS Consulting Partners as a Project Manager and Management Consultant. In 1997, he moved to Siemens AG Transportation Systems. In 2003, he took charge of Siemens AG A&D Assembly Systems, with around 2,300 staff and with sales of approximately €600 million. Until he moved to RAIL.ONE, Brandis directed the acquisition of the US software company UGS for Siemens AG. With more than 800 employees and 18 locations in nine countries, RAIL.ONE is one of the world’s leading providers of railway track systems, with comprehensive consulting and engineering competence for all areas of application. (more…)
Issue 2 2009, Past issues / 26 March 2009 /
The Technical Specification for Interoperability (TSI) relating to the infrastructure subsystem of the trans-European high-speed rail system, requires that every infrastructure manager draws up a Maintenance Plan. This must set out the necessary inspections, the frequency, the qualification of staff, the measuring methods and the necessary action to be taken. At Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) the Maintenance Plan went into force in 2007.
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Issue 2 2009, Past issues / 26 March 2009 /
ERESS (European Railway Energy Settlement System) reduces railway energy consumption by up to 15%, strengthening both the environmental profile and competitiveness of the railways. In this article, you can learn more about the system that could become a common European standard.
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Industry Focus 2008, Past issues / 28 December 2008 /
Crossing borders is a rather simple action performed by millions of Europeans on a daily basis; be it for studies, business or pleasure. A substantial number of travellers rely hugely on rail to take them over the border; further North, South, East or West. Hopefully, for the peace of mind of the traveller, he or she will never know the amount of effort that goes into this ‘simple’ operation, allowing for this often seamless cross-border trip.
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Industry Focus 2008, Past issues / 28 December 2008 /
Consultancies are providing expertise that is helping to realise important railway projects in Europe and around the world. Britain’s first high-speed railway line – High Speed 1 – was opened by Queen Elizabeth II with much fanfare on 6 November 2007. High speed Eurostar trains now whisk passengers from the splendidly-restored station at London St Pancras to the centre of Paris in just 2hr 15min. This magnificent engineering achievement would not have been feasible without the help of some of the world’s biggest engineering consultancies. Indeed the very route of the new link, over the marshes by the river Thames and into London by an eastern approach, was the brainchild of Ove Arup – it appealed to the government as it gave an opportunity to regenerate areas by the river that have become known as Thames Gateway.
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Industry Focus 2008, Past issues / 28 December 2008 /
ERTMS is the European Rail Traffic Management System – a signalling and train control system promoted by the European Commission for use throughout Europe and specified for compliance with the High Speed and Conventional Interoperability Directives.
The system aims to remedy the lack of standardisation in the area of signalling and train control systems which constitutes one of the major obstacles to the development of international rail traffic. Unifying the multiple signalling systems in use will bring increased competitiveness, better inter-working of freight and passenger rail services, stimulate the European rail equipment market, reduce costs and improve the overall quality of rail transport.
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Issue 2 2008, Past issues / 8 April 2008 /
Track maintenance machines today are designed as standard railway vehicles and are subject to approval and certification according to EU directives. However, their main purpose is not transport on rail, but track maintenance work, track laying or track renewal. The enormous and continually rising expenditure surrounding machine certification which the EU regulations stipulate (presently around 5% of the price of the machine) are illustrated by the certification procedures laid down by the Federal Railway Authority (EBA) in Bonn.
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Issue 4 2007, Past issues / 30 July 2007 /
Railway Interoperability Directives (96/48/EC, on the interoperability of the Trans-European High-speed network, and 2001/16/EC, on the interoperability of the Trans-European Conventional network, both as amended by 2004/50/EC) are changing the way that railway fixed infrastructure, the rolling stock that runs on it and certain key components are designed, assessed and accepted into service. These changes are happening across Europe. Notified Bodies have a key role in these new, common European, processes.
I am often asked; “What is a Notified Body?” Perhaps I should not be so surprised because of the very small but key role that Notified Bodies play in the day to day issues that affect railway undertakings.
With this article, I give a brief overview of Notified Bodies, what they are and what they do and a brief overview on NB Rail, their coordination body. (more…)
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