Commission Decision of 30 May 2002 concerning the technical specification for interoperability relating to the control-command and signalling subsystem of the trans-European high-speed rail system referred to in Article 6(1) of Council Directive 96/48/EC (notified under document number C(2002) 1947) (Text with EEA relevance) (2002/731/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 96/48/EC of 23 July 1996 on the interoperability of the trans-European high-speed rail network^f1, and in particular Article 6(1) thereof,

Whereas:

In accordance with Article 2(c) of Directive 96/48/EC, the trans-European high-speed rail system is subdivided into structural or functional subsystems. These subsystems are described in Annex II to the Directive.

In accordance with Article 5(1) of the Directive, each of the subsystems shall be covered by a technical specification for interoperability (TSI).

In accordance with Article 6(1) of the Directive, draft TSIs shall be drawn up by the joint representative body.

The Committee set up pursuant to Article 21 of Directive 96/48/EC has appointed the European Association for Railway Interoperability (AEIF) as the joint representative body in accordance with Article 2(h) of the Directive.

The AEIF has been given a mandate to draw up a draft TSI for the control-command and signalling subsystem in accordance with Article 6(1) of the Directive. This mandate was established in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 21(2) of the Directive.

The AEIF has drawn up the draft TSI, together with an introductory report containing a cost-benefit analysis as provided for in Article 6(3) of the Directive.

The draft TSI has been examined by the representatives of the Member States, in the framework of the Committee set up by the Directive, in the light of the introductory report.

As specified in Article 1 of Directive 96/48/EC, the conditions for achieving interoperability of the trans-European high-speed rail system concern the design, construction, upgrading and operation of the infrastructures and rolling stock contributing to the functioning of the system to be put into service after the date of entry into force of the Directive. With regard to the infrastructures and rolling stock already in service at the time of entry into force of this TSI, the TSI should be applied from the time when work is envisaged on these infrastructures and rolling stock. However, the degree to which the TSI is applied will vary according to the scope and extent of the works foreseen and the costs and the benefits generated by the intended applications. In order for such partial works to concur into achieving full interoperability, they need to be underpinned by a coherent implementation strategy. In this context, a distinction should be made between upgrading, renewal and maintenance-related replacement.

It is recognised that Directive 96/48/EC and the TSIs do not apply to renewals or maintenance-related replacement. It is desirable however that the TSIs should apply to renewals, as will be the case for the TSIs for the conventional rail system under Commission Directive 2001/16/EC^f2. In the absence of a mandatory requirement and taking into account the extent of the renewal work, Member States are encouraged, where they are able to do so, to apply the TSIs to renewals and maintenance-related replacement.

Existing high-speed lines and rolling stock are already equipped with control-command and signalling systems that meet the essential requirements of Directive 96/48/EC. Such systems were developed and implemented according to national rules. In order to allow the operation of interoperable services, it is necessary to develop interfaces between those existing systems and new TSI compatible equipment. Basic information concerning those existing systems is provided in Annex B to the attached TSI. Given that verification of interoperability has to be established by reference to the TSIs, in accordance with Article 16(2) of Directive 96/48/EC, it is necessary, during the transition period between the publication of this Decision and the full implementation of the TSI attached, to lay down the conditions to be complied with in addition to the attached TSI. For these reasons it is necessary that each Member State informs the other Member States and the Commission, for each one of the systems mentioned in Annex B, of the technical rules in use for achieving interoperability and meeting the essential requirements of Directive 96/48/EC. In addition, those rules being national, it is necessary that each Member State informs the other Member States and the Commission of the bodies it appoints for carrying out the procedure for the assessment of conformity or suitability for use as well as the checking procedure in use for verifying the interoperability of subsystems within the meaning of Article 16(2) of Directive 96/48/EC. Member States shall apply, as far as possible, the principles and criteria provided for in Directive 96/48/EC for the implementation of Article 16(2) in the case of those national rules. As to the bodies in charge of those procedures, Member States will make use, as far as possible, of bodies notified under Article 20 of Directive 96/48/EC. The Commission will carry out an analysis of this information (national rules, procedures, bodies in charge of implementing procedures, duration of these procedures) and, where appropriate, will discuss with the Committee the necessity of any measure to be taken.

The TSI, which is the subject of this Decision, does not impose the use of specific technologies or technical solutions except where this is strictly necessary for the interoperability of the trans-European high-speed rail network.

The TSI, which is the subject of this Decision, is based on best available expert knowledge at the time of preparation of the corresponding draft. Developments in technology or social requirements may make it necessary to amend or supplement this TSI. Where appropriate, a review or updating procedure will be initiated in accordance with Article 6(2) of Directive 96/48/EC.

In some cases, the TSI, which is the subject of this Decision, allows a choice between different solutions, making it possible to apply definitive or transitional interoperable solutions that are compatible with the existing situation. In addition, Directive 96/48/EC provides for special implementing provisions in certain specific cases. Furthermore, in the cases provided for in Article 7 of the Directive Member States must be allowed not to apply certain technical specifications. It is therefore necessary that the Member States ensure that an infrastructure register and a rolling stock register are published and updated each year. These registers will set out the main characteristics of the national infrastructure and rolling stock (e.g. the basic parameters) and their concordance with the characteristics prescribed by the applicable TSIs. To this end, the TSI, which is the subject of this Decision, indicates precisely which information must appear in the registers.

• the interfaces between the different subsystems referred to in Directive 96/48/EC,

• the different categories of lines and rolling stock referred to in that Directive, and

• the technical and operational environments of the existing network.

That is why it is essential to establish a strategy for the implementation of the TSI which is the subject of this Decision, which should indicate the technical stages to move from the present network conditions to a situation where the network is interoperable.

The target system described in the attached TSI builds upon computer-based technology with a life expectancy significantly lower than current traditional railway signalling and telecommunication facilities. As such, they call for a proactive rather than reactive deployment strategy to avoid potential system obsolescence prior to system deployment reaching maturity levels. In addition, the adoption of a too fragmented deployment throughout the European rail network would give rise to major costs and operational overheads. The development of a coherent trans-European implementation plan for the target system would contribute to a harmonious development of the whole of the trans-European rail network in compliance with the EU strategy for the TEN-transport network. Such a plan should build upon the corresponding national implementation plans and should provide an appropriate knowledge base for decision support by the different stakeholders, in particular, by the Commission in the allocation of financial support to railway projects. The Commission will coordinate the development of such a plan, in accordance with Article 155(2) of the Treaty establishing the European Community.

The provisions of this Decision are in conformity with the opinion of the Committee set up by Directive 96/48/EC,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: