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Issue 4 2007, Past issues / 30 July 2007 /
The Czech Republic owns one of the densest railway networks in Europe. The total length of lines is approximately 9,500km and the Czech territory represents an area of ca 79,000km2. Geographical location of our republic within the centre of Europe is convenient as regards to the most significant transit directions.
Two international railway corridors run through the Czech Republic. One of them is the Pan-European Corridor No. IV, sometimes described as the E Corridor for the north-south direction from northern seaports to the east and south of Europe. The other Pan-European Corridor is the VI Corridor, for the north-south direction, currently being one of the crucial directions for the freight transit transport via the Czech territory. These corridors together with other two national railway corridors symbolize an imaginary backbone of our railway network. The Czech railway provides both an internal linkage of big cities and an international connection to the network of European railways. (more…)
Issue 4 2007, Past issues / 30 July 2007 /
The European Train Control System (ETCS) is a signalling and control system designed to replace the 14 incompatible safety systems currently used by European Railways, especially on high-speed lines.
This year, the UIC is holding its ERTMS World Conference in Berne, Switzerland. Switzerland offers a prime example of how ERTMS has been successfully integrated into national transport plans. Together with major railway civil engineering schemes, such as the impressive Lötschberg and Gotthard tunnels, the Swiss Administration is satisfied that ERTMS (ETCS + GSM-R) and the Traffic Management Layer will enable them to meet the strong domestic and international growth forecasts expected of rail in the near future. (more…)
Issue 3 2007, Past issues / 6 June 2007 /
Since March 18 2007, the European Train Control System (ETCS) has been in full operation on Switzerland’s backbone of the railway network. The newly built Mattstetten – Rothrist line between Bern and Zurich is the core of the Rail 2000 concept. The new 42km section is used by 242 passenger trains and more than 30 freight trains a day travelling at speeds of up to 200km/h at operational headways of less than two minutes. The Swiss Federal Railway (SBB) is the first railway in the world to successfully introduce a highest density mixed traffic operation applying ETCS Level 2 and GSM-R voice.
Switzerland is an export oriented country. A high percentage of the Swiss industrial production is exported to the surrounding countries, mainly to Germany and Italy. Most of the heavy goods are transported by train. In addition, Switzerland is one of the geographical pivot points of Europe, as the shortest way from northern Germany to Italy passes through Switzerland. Therefore, a large proportion of the Trans European freight is transported over the Swiss railway infrastructure. (more…)
Issue 4 2005, Past issues / 3 November 2005 /
The Euro is not sufficient to unite Europe: an international railways system is needed to sweep away the borders between the different States by overcoming technological barriers and to compete with air, inland-water and road transport. (more…)
Issue 4 2005, Past issues / 3 November 2005 /
More than one year has already passed since the European Union was enlarged by the ten new Member States. In Poland, appraisals of economic and social effects of this historical event are, by and large, positive. A lot of expectations have been satisfied, while most of the misgivings expressed before 1st May of 2004 on both sides – in the ‘older’ EU15 and new accession countries – have proved greatly exaggerated.
The date given above is a only a ceremonial landmark. The process of integration for the EU10 with the rest of the Union started much earlier, is ongoing, and a large amount of water will flow in the Vistula or Elbe before it is accomplished. Incontestably, the Accession Treaty was a good turning point for all areas of European co-operation but it concerned one instant and the history never stops, even for a while. This is no different to the European railway system. The provisions of the Treaty on railway transport have resulted primarily from the experiences of the preceding co-operation among the railway administrations.
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