Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on Union guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network, amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1153 and (EU) No 913/2010 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 (Text with EEA relevance)
CHAPTER I GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Article 1
Subject matter
This Regulation establishes guidelines for the development of a trans-European transport network consisting of a comprehensive network and of a core network and extended core network, with the core network and extended core network to be established on the basis of the comprehensive network.
This Regulation identifies European Transport Corridors of highest strategic importance on the basis of priority sections of the trans-European transport network and projects of common interest, and specifies the requirements to be complied with for the development and implementation of the infrastructure of the trans-European transport network.
This Regulation sets out the priorities for the development of the trans-European transport network and provides for measures for the implementation of the trans-European transport network.
Article 2
Scope
This Regulation applies to the trans-European transport network as specified in the maps set out in Annex I and in the lists in Annex II. The trans-European transport network comprises transport infrastructure, including infrastructure for the deployment of alternative fuels, ICT systems for transport, and measures to promote the efficient management and use of such infrastructure and to permit the establishment and operation of sustainable and efficient transport services.
The infrastructure of the trans-European transport network consists of the infrastructure for railway transport, inland waterway transport, maritime transport, road transport, air transport and multimodal transport, including in urban nodes, as laid down in the relevant sections of Chapters II, III and IV.
Article 3
Definitions
For the purpose of this Regulation, the following definitions apply:
- (1) ‘project of common interest’ means any project carried out pursuant to this Regulation;
- (2) ‘neighbouring country’ means a third country falling within the scope of the European Neighbourhood Policy, the Enlargement Policy, and the European Economic Area, the European Free Trade Association or the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part ([^E0001]);
- (3) ‘NUTS region’ means a region as established by Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council ([^E0002]) and classified in Annex I of that Regulation;
- (4) ‘cross-border section’ means the section which ensures the continuity of a project of common interest on both sides of a border, situated between the closest urban nodes to the border of two Member States or between a Member State and a neighbouring country;
- (5) ‘bottleneck’ means a physical, technical, functional, operational or administrative barrier which leads to a system break, including systematic congestion or standstill, affecting the continuity of traffic for long-distance or cross-border flows;
- (6) ‘urban node’ means an urban area where elements of the transport infrastructure of the trans-European transport network for passengers and freight, such as ports, including passenger terminals, airports, railway stations, bus terminals and multimodal freight terminals, located in and around the urban area are connected with other elements of that infrastructure and with the infrastructure for regional and local traffic, including infrastructure for active modes;
- (7) ‘isolated network’ means a rail network of a Member State, or part thereof, with a track gauge different from that of the European standard nominal track gauge of 1 435 mm;
- (8) ‘multimodal transport’ means the carriage of passengers or freight, or both, using two or more modes of transport;
- (9) ‘multimodal digital mobility service’ means ‘multimodal digital mobility service’ as defined in Article 4, point (24), of Directive 2010/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council ([^E0003]);
- (10) ‘interoperability’ means the ability, including in the light of all the regulatory, technical, administrative and operational conditions, of the infrastructure, including digital infrastructure in a transport mode or segment and between different transport modes, to allow safe and uninterrupted traffic and information flows which achieve the required levels of performance for that infrastructure mode or segment;
- (11) ‘multimodal passenger hub’ means a connection point between at least two transport modes for passengers, where travel information, access to public transport and transfers between modes are ensured, such as park-and-ride stations, and which acts as an interface within and between urban nodes and between urban nodes and longer-distance transport networks;
- (12) ‘multimodal freight terminal’ means a structure equipped for transhipment between at least two transport modes, or between two different rail systems, and for temporary storage of freight, such as terminals in inland or maritime ports, along inland waterways and in airports, as well as rail road terminals;
- (13) ‘sustainable urban mobility plan’ or ‘SUMP’ means a document for strategic mobility planning, aiming at improving, in a sustainable way, accessibility to and mobility within the functional urban area, including commuting zones in that urban area or in its vicinity), for people, businesses and goods in view in particular of a better quality of life;
- (14) ‘active mode’ means the transport of people or goods, through non-motorised means, based on human physical activity, including vehicles with electric auxiliary propulsion as referred to in Article 2(2), point (h), of Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council ([^E0004]);
- (15) ‘ICT systems for transport’ means information and communications technology systems and applications using information, communication, navigation or positioning or localisation technologies, including space based technologies, which make it possible to process, store and exchange the data and information needed to manage infrastructure, mobility and traffic on the trans-European transport network effectively, to report relevant information to authorities and to provide services to citizens, shippers and operators that add value, including systems for resilient, safe, secure, environmentally sound and capacity-efficient use of the network; they include systems, technologies and services referred to in points (16) to (22) and may also include on-board devices with corresponding infrastructure or digital components;
- (16) ‘Intelligent Transport Systems’ or ‘ITS’ means ‘Intelligent Transport Systems’ as defined in Article 4, point (1), of Directive 2010/40/EU;
- (17) ‘Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information System’ or ‘VTMIS’ means the ‘vessel traffic monitoring and information system’ established by Directive 2002/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council ([^E0005]);
- (18) ‘River Information Services’ or ‘RIS’ means ‘river information services (RIS)’ as defined in Article 3, point (a), of Directive 2005/44/EC of the Parliament and of the Council ([^E0006]);
- (19) ‘European Maritime Single Window environment’ or ‘EMSWe’ means ‘European Maritime Single Window environment’, as defined in Article 2, point (1), of Regulation (EU) 2019/1239 of the European Parliament and of the Council ([^E0007]);
- (20) ‘Air Traffic Management/Air Navigation Service System’ or ‘ATM/ANS System’ means an ‘ATM/ANS system’ as defined in Article 3, point (7), of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council ([^E0008]);
- (21) ‘European Rail Traffic Management System’ or ‘ERTMS’ means ‘European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS)’, as defined in point 2.2 of Annex I to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1695 ([^E0009]), and in the context of implementation deadlines it refers to the Class A train protection system and any Class A radio system, referred to in that Regulation;
- (22) ‘radio-based ERTMS’ means the European Train Control System (ETCS) application level 2 that does not require lineside signals and uses a Class A radio system for the safety and non-safety related data exchange between track and train pursuant to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1695;
- (23) ‘class B systems’ means ‘class B systems’ as defined in point 3 of Annex II to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1695;
- (24) ‘maritime port’ means a ‘maritime port’ as defined in Article 2, point (16), of Regulation (EU) 2017/352 of the European Parliament and of the Council ([^E0010]);
- (25) ‘short-sea shipping’ means the movement of cargo and passengers by sea between ports situated in geographical waters of one or several Member States or between a port situated in waters of Member States and a port situated in waters of an adjacent third country having a coastline on the seas bordering waters of one or several Member States;
- (26) ‘electronic freight transport information’ or ‘eFTI’ means the electronic ‘freight transport information’ as defined in Article 3, point (4) of Regulation (EU) 2020/1056 of the European Parliament and of the Council ([^E0011]);
- (27) ‘single European sky’ or ‘SES’ means the systems established under Regulation (EC) No 549/2004 ([^E0012]) (EC) No 550/2004 ([^E0013]), (EC) No 551/2004 ([^E0014]), and (EU) 2018/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council to reinforce air traffic safety standards, to contribute to the sustainable development of the air transport system and to improve the overall performance of air traffic management and air navigation services for general air traffic in Europe;
- (28) ‘vertiport’ means an area used for the take-off and landing of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft;
- (29) ‘aircraft contact stand’ means a stand in a designated area of the airport apron equipped with a passenger boarding bridge;
- (30) ‘aircraft remote stand’ means a stand in a designated area of the airport apron not equipped with a passenger boarding bridge;
- (31) ‘SESAR project’ means the project to modernise air traffic management in Europe, aimed at providing the Union with a high performance, standardised and interoperable air traffic management infrastructure, and consisting in an innovation cycle that includes the SESAR definition phase, the SESAR development phase and the SESAR deployment phase;
- (32) ‘spaceport’ means an installation for testing and launching space crafts;
- (33) ‘Europe’s Rail Project’ means a project of the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking established by Council Regulation (EU) 2021/2085 ([^E0015]), or its predecessor Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking;
- (34) ‘European ATM Master Plan’ means the plan endorsed by Council Decision 2009/320/EC ([^E0016]), and as subsequently amended;
- (35) ‘rail freight governance’ means the governance bodies referred to in Article 8 of Regulation (EU) No 913/2010;
- (36) ‘maintenance’ means works intended to maintain the condition and capability of existing infrastructure in a way that it provides a level of service suited to the traffic flow and a high level of safety during its lifetime;
- (37) ‘socio-economic cost-benefit analysis’ means a quantified ex-ante evaluation, based on a recognised methodology, of the value of a project, taking into account all the relevant social, economic, health, climate-related and environmental benefits and costs; the analysis of climate-related and environmental costs and benefits is based on the environmental impact assessment carried out pursuant to Directive 2011/92/EU;
- (38) ‘alternative fuels’ means ‘alternative fuels’, as defined in Article 2, point (4), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1804;
- (39) ‘safe and secure parking area’ means a parking area accessible to drivers engaged in the carriage of goods or passengers, meeting the requirements listed in Article 8a(1) of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council ([^E0017]) and which has been certified in accordance with Union standards and procedures, referred to in Article 8a(2) of that Regulation;
- (40) ‘weigh in motion system’ means an automatic system set up on the road infrastructure with the objective of identifying vehicles or vehicle combinations in circulation that are likely to have exceeded the relevant weight limits, in accordance with Directive 96/53/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council ([^E0018]);
- (41) ‘project authorising decision’ means a decision or a set of decisions, including of an administrative nature, taken simultaneously or successively, by an authority or authorities of a Member State, not including administrative and judicial appeal authorities, under a national legal system and administrative law that determines whether or not a project promoter is entitled to implement a project on the geographical area concerned on the core network, extended core network or comprehensive network, without prejudice to any decision taken in the context of an administrative or judicial appeal procedure.
Article 4
Objectives of the trans-European transport network
The overall objective of the development of the trans-European transport network is to establish a single multimodal Union wide transport network of high quality.
The trans-European transport network shall strengthen the social, economic and territorial cohesion of the Union and contribute to the creation of a single European transport area which is sustainable, safe, efficient and resilient and which increases the benefits for its users and supports inclusive growth. The trans-European transport network shall demonstrate European added value by contributing to the objectives laid down in the following four categories:
- (a) sustainability through:
- (i) promotion of zero and low emission mobility in line with the relevant Union CO2 reduction targets;
- (ii) enabling greater use of more sustainable modes of transport, in particular by further developing an interoperable long-distance rail passenger network, including at high speed, and an interoperable rail freight network, a reliable inland waterway and short-sea shipping network for passengers and freight across the Union;
- (iii) increased environmental protection;
- (iv) reduction of negative externalities, including those related to the environment, climate, health, congestion and accidents, for instance by means of eco-incentives schemes; or
- (v) greater energy security;
- (b) cohesion through:
- (i) accessibility and connectivity of all regions of the Union, paying particular attention to outermost regions and other remote, insular, peripheral and mountainous regions, as well as sparsely populated areas;
- (ii) reduction of infrastructure quality gaps, and the promotion of interoperability between digital systems of all transport modes, with adequate network capacity between regions and Member States;
- (iii) for both passenger and freight traffic, efficient coordination and interconnection between transport infrastructure for long-distance traffic and regional and local traffic in order to facilitate transport services, including in urban nodes; or
- (iv) a transport infrastructure that reflects the specific situations in different parts of the Union and provides for a balanced coverage of all European regions;
- (c) efficiency through:
- (i) the removal of infrastructure bottlenecks and the bridging of missing links, both within transport infrastructures and at connecting points between them, within Member States’ territories and between them, in particular at cross-border sections, and connecting, where appropriate, to the trans-European transport network in third countries;
- (ii) the removal of interoperability bottlenecks, including gaps in digitalisation;
- (iii) the interoperability of national, regional and local transport networks;
- (iv) optimal integration and interconnection of all transport modes, including in urban nodes;
- (v) the promotion of economically efficient, high-quality transport contributing to further economic growth and competitiveness;
- (vi) more efficient use of new and existing infrastructure in operation, for example in the rail sector;
- (vii) cost-efficient application of interoperable, innovative technological and operational concepts and digital systems; or
- (viii) greater coordination of infrastructure works between Member States for cross-border projects;
- (d) increasing the benefits for its users through:
- (i) ensuring the accessibility for users and meeting their mobility and transport needs, taking into account in particular the needs of people in situations of vulnerability, including persons with disabilities or reduced mobility and people living in remote regions, including the outermost regions and other remote, rural, insular, peripheral and mountainous regions, as well as sparsely populated areas;
- (ii) ensuring safe, secure and high-quality standards, including quality of services for all users, for both passenger and freight transport;
- (iii) supporting the quality, efficiency and sustainability of transport services, which are to be accessible and affordable;
- (iv) supporting a mobility that is fit for the changing climate and resilient to natural hazards and human-made disasters, and facilitates the efficient and fast deployment of emergency and rescue services, including for persons with disabilities or reduced mobility;
- (v) ensuring the resilience of infrastructure, in particular on cross-border sections;
- (vi) offering alternative transport solutions, including on other modes, in the event of network disturbances;
- (vii) supporting active modes of mobility by enhancing accessibility and quality of related infrastructure, thereby improving safety and health for active users of infrastructure and fostering the environmental benefits of those modes;
- (viii) supporting seamless mobility in the Union; or
- (ix) ensuring adequate maintenance intended to provide, for the existing infrastructure, a level of service suited to the traffic flow, and high level of safety during the lifetime of the infrastructure.
Article 5
Resource-efficient and resilient network and environmental protection
The trans-European transport network shall be planned, developed and operated in a resource-efficient way, and in accordance with the applicable Union and national environmental requirements, through:
- (a) the development of new infrastructure, the improvement and maintenance of existing transport infrastructure, notably by including maintenance over the life-time of the infrastructure in the planning phase of construction or improvement of the infrastructure and by keeping the infrastructure operational;
- (b) the optimisation of infrastructure integration and interconnection;
- (c) the deployment of alternative fuels recharging and refuelling infrastructure, thereby contributing to the deployment of decarbonisation technologies;
- (d) the deployment of new technologies and ICT systems for transport to preserve or improve the infrastructure performance, where such deployment is economically justified or required to improve safety and security;
- (e) the optimisation of infrastructure use, in particular through efficient capacity and traffic management, fostering multimodality and the shift towards more sustainable mobility patterns, including the development of sustainable, attractive and efficient multimodal transport services;
- (f) the taking into account and the optimisation of possible synergies with other networks, in particular the trans-European energy or telecommunication networks including, where relevant, the whole electric grid in order to ensure consistency between the recharging infrastructure planning and the respective grid planning, as well as the taking into account of possible synergies with the dual-use of infrastructure identified in the ‘Military Requirements for Military Mobility within and beyond the EU’ approved by the Council on 26 June 2023 and 23 October 2023 and in any subsequent document revising those requirements approved thereafter, as well as with cycling infrastructure, including long-distance cycle routes;
- (g) the development of green, sustainable and climate resilient infrastructure, taking into account active modes, and the promotion of new technologies that aim to decarbonise the construction of transport infrastructure, including through the use of resource-efficient and climate-proof materials, designed to reduce as much as possible the negative impact on the health of citizens living around the network, the environment, including from air and noise pollution, and degradation of ecosystems; and
- (h) the adequate consideration of the resilience of the transport network and its infrastructure and services, especially at cross-border sections, with regard to a changing climate and geopolitical context, as well as natural hazards and human-made disasters, and as disruptions, intentional or not, with a view to addressing those challenges and with a view to enabling adequate response and timely recovery from those disruptions, as well as with a view to facilitating supply chains.
In planning and developing the trans-European transport network, Member States may adapt the detailed route alignment of sections taking into account the particular circumstances in the various parts of the Union, such as topographical features of the regions concerned and environmental considerations while ensuring compliance with this Regulation. Such adaptation shall not go beyond what is allowed by the relevant project authorising decision in accordance with the requirement set out in Article 58(1), point (g).
The environmental assessment of plans and projects shall be carried out in accordance with Council Directive 92/43/EEC ([^E0019]), Directives 2000/60/EC ([^E0020]), 2001/42/EC ([^E0021]), 2002/49/EC ([^E0022]), 2009/147/EC ([^E0023]) of the European Parliament and of the Council and Directive 2011/92/EU. For those projects of common interest for which the procurement process for an environmental assessment has not yet been initiated by 18 July 2024, their compliance with the ‘do no significant harm’ principle should also be assessed.
Article 6
Gradual development of the trans-European transport network
Without prejudice to Article 8(5), the trans-European transport network shall, unless otherwise specified in this Regulation, be gradually developed in three steps:
- (a) the completion of a core network by 31 December 2030;
- (b) the completion of an extended core network by 31 December 2040; and,
- (c) the completion of a comprehensive network by 31 December 2050.
The development of the trans-European transport network shall be achieved, in particular, by implementing a structure for that network with a coherent and transparent methodological approach, comprising a, core network, an extended core network and a comprehensive network, with transport and urban nodes as multimodal connecting points between long distance traffic and the regional and local transport networks.
The comprehensive network shall consist of all existing and planned transport infrastructures of the trans-European transport network, as well as measures promoting the efficient, and socially and environmentally sustainable, use of such infrastructure.
The core network and extended core network shall consist of those parts of the trans-European transport network which are to be developed as a matter of priority and completed in accordance with the deadlines set out in paragraph 1, for achieving the objectives for the development of the trans-European transport network.
Article 7
European Transport Corridors
The European Transport Corridors shall consist of the parts of the core network or extended core network which are of the highest strategic importance for the development of sustainable and multimodal freight and passenger transport flows in Europe and for the development of interoperable high-quality infrastructure and operational performance.
Article 8
Projects of common interest
Projects of common interest shall contribute to the development of the trans-European transport network through the creation of new transport infrastructure, through the upgrading of the existing transport infrastructure or through measures promoting the resource-efficient use of the network.
Projects of common interest shall:
- (a) demonstrate European added value by contributing to objectives falling within at least two of the four categories set out in Article 4(2); and
- (b) be economically viable on the basis of a socio-economic cost-benefit analysis or, in the case of sparsely populated areas or projects that are essential for the dual use of infrastructure, have a positive contribution to the development of the network on the basis of a socio-economic cost-benefit analysis.
A project of common interest encompasses its entire cycle, including feasibility studies, permission procedures, construction, operation, maintenance and evaluation.
Member States shall take all necessary measures to ensure that projects of common interest are carried out in compliance with relevant Union and national law, and in particular with Union law on the environment, climate protection, safety, security, competition, state aid, public procurement, public health and accessibility, as well as with Union legal acts and national legislation on non-discrimination.
The implementation of projects of common interest depends on their degree of maturity, compliance with Union and national legal procedures, and the availability of financial resources, without prejudging the financial commitment of a Member State or of the Union.
The Commission may recommend that Member States establish single entities for the coordination, construction or management of cross-border infrastructure projects of common interest, especially for large-scale and complex ones. The relevant European Coordinator shall have the status of observer in the supervisory board or a similar steering body of such single entity.
Member States shall make all possible efforts to ensure that projects of common interest are implemented in a timely and efficient manner.
The socio-economic cost-benefit analysis shall be applied by Member States, following a recognised and harmonised approach in order to enable a transparent and comparative evaluation of these projects.
Article 9
Cooperation with third countries
The Union may cooperate with third countries in order to connect the trans-European transport network with their infrastructure networks through projects of common interest, where relevant with a view to enhancing sustainable economic growth and competitiveness and in particular to:
- (a) promote the extension into third countries of the trans-European transport network policy together with other related Union policies, in particular in the fields of environment and climate protection;
- (b) ensure the connection between the trans-European transport network and the transport networks of third countries at border crossing points, including on the territory of a third country which is part of the European Transport Corridor, in order to guarantee seamless traffic flows, border checks, border surveillance and other border control procedures;
- (c) ensure on the territory of third countries the connection between the trans-European transport network and the transport networks of those third countries, in particular with a view to facilitating, where relevant and appropriate, railway transport with third countries;
- (d) complete the transport infrastructure in third countries which serve as links between parts of the trans-European transport network in the Union;
- (e) promote the interoperability of the trans-European transport network and networks of third countries;
- (f) facilitate maritime transport and promote short-sea shipping routes with third countries provided they do not contribute to carbon leakage;
- (g) facilitate inland waterway transport with third countries;
- (h) facilitate air transport with third countries, in order to promote efficient and sustainable economic growth and competitiveness, including the extension of the single European sky and improved air traffic management cooperation;
- (i) connect and implement ICT systems for transport in those third countries; and
- (j) promote decarbonisation of transport, in particular through deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure in third countries with a view to establishing a continuous network linked with the trans-European transport network.
Annex IV sets out indicative maps of the trans-European transport network extended to specific neighbouring countries, specifying, where applicable, a core network, an extended core network and a comprehensive network, in accordance with the criteria of this Regulation.
Nothing in this Article implies a right to any kind of financial contribution of the Union to projects in third countries under other Union legal acts.
CHAPTER II GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 10
General provisions for the core network, the extended core network and the comprehensive network
The core network, the extended core network and the comprehensive network shall:
- (a) be those specified in the maps set out in Annex I and in the lists in Annex II;
- (b) be further specified through the description of the infrastructure components;
- (c) meet the requirements for the transport infrastructures set out in this Chapter and in Chapters III and IV; and
- (d) constitute the basis for the identification of projects of common interest.
The core network and extended core network shall consist of those parts of the trans-European transport network which shall be developed as a matter of priority for achieving the objectives of the trans-European transport network policy.
References to ‘core network’ in Regulation (EU) 2021/1153 shall be construed as including ‘extended core network’ within the meaning of this Regulation.
References to ‘core network’ in Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 shall be construed as references to ‘core network’ within the meaning of this Regulation.
References to ‘comprehensive network’ in Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 shall be construed as references to ‘extended core network’ and ‘comprehensive network’ within the meaning of this Regulation.
The nodes of the network are set out in Annex II and include urban nodes and transport nodes (airports, maritime ports, inland ports, rail road terminals and terminals along inland waterways).
Member States shall take the appropriate measures for the core network, the extended core network and the comprehensive network which are to be developed, in order to comply with this Regulation by the dates specified in Article 6(1), unless otherwise specified in this Regulation.
Article 11
General provisions for the European Transport Corridors
The nine European Transport Corridors specified in the maps set out in Annex III are, namely:
- (a) Atlantic;
- (b) Baltic Sea — Black Sea — Aegean Sea;
- (c) Baltic Sea — Adriatic Sea;
- (d) Mediterranean;
- (e) North Sea — Rhine — Mediterranean;
- (f) North Sea — Baltic;
- (g) Rhine — Danube;
- (h) Scandinavian — Mediterranean;
- (i) Western Balkans — Eastern Mediterranean.
Member States shall take the appropriate measures for the European Transport Corridors which are to be developed in order to comply with this Regulation, by 31 December 2030 for their infrastructure which is part of the core network, and by 31 December 2040 for their infrastructure which is part of the extended core network, unless otherwise specified in this Regulation.
Subject to the approval of the Member State concerned in accordance with Article 172, second paragraph, TFEU, the Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 62 of this Regulation to amend within the limits of Article 7 of this Regulation the alignment of the European Transport Corridors in Annex III to this Regulation, in order to take into account the development of major trade flows and traffic or substantial changes to the network. With respect to amendments to alignments of corridors affecting the parts in the territory of neighbouring countries, such delegated acts shall be based on high-level agreements on transport infrastructure networks between the Union and the neighbouring countries concerned.
Article 12
General priorities for the core network, the extended core network and the comprehensive network
In the development of the core network, the extended core network and the comprehensive network, general priority shall be given to measures that are necessary for:
- (a) increasing the share and, where relevant, the capacity of more sustainable transport for freight and passengers, in particular with a view to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution and increasing the social and economic benefits derived from transport;
- (b) ensuring enhanced accessibility and connectivity for all regions of the Union while taking into consideration territorial and social cohesion, and including the specific case of the outermost regions and other remote, insular, peripheral and mountainous regions, as well as sparsely populated areas;
- (c) ensuring optimal integration of the transport modes and interoperability between transport modes, including active modes of mobility in urban areas;
- (d) bridging missing links and removing bottlenecks, particularly in cross-border sections;
- (e) deploying the necessary infrastructure which ensures a seamless circulation of zero and low emission vehicles, and of vessels and aircrafts using fuels which contribute to transport emission reduction and increased energy security;
- (f) promoting the efficient, seamless and sustainable use of the infrastructure and, where necessary, increasing capacity;
- (g) keeping existing infrastructure operational and improving or maintaining its quality in terms of safety, security, efficiency of the transport system and transport operations, climate and disaster resilience, environmental performance, and the continuity of traffic flows;
- (h) improving the quality of services and social conditions for transport workers, accessibility for all users, including persons with disabilities or reduced mobility and other people in situations of vulnerability, preventing and mitigating transport poverty;
- (i) improving digitalisation, enabling digital enforcement in accordance with Union law and developing automation, in particular through the implementation and deployment of ICT systems for transport; or
- (j) adapting, where necessary and taking into account the constitutional requirements of certain Member States, the infrastructure to a dual use in order to address both civilian and defence needs, paying particular attention to the itineraries needed for short-notice and large-scale movements of military forces.
In order to complement the measures set out in paragraph 1, particular consideration shall be given to measures that are necessary for:
- (a) contributing to mitigating exposure of urban areas, and, where relevant, densely- populated sensitive areas, to the negative effects of transiting rail and road transport;
- (b) optimising the use of infrastructure, in particular through efficient capacity management, traffic management and increased operational performance;
- (c) contributing to positive health and environmental effects by promoting the use of active modes of mobility through the development of corresponding infrastructure for cycling and walking;
- (d) ensuring non-discriminatory access to all market participants on the trans-European transport network infrastructure; or
- (e) ensuring efficient border crossing for freight transport taking into account waiting times.
Article 13
General priorities for the European Transport Corridors
In the development of the European Transport Corridors, general priority shall be given to measures that are necessary for:
- (a) the development of a high performance, seamless and fully interoperable rail freight network across the Union;
- (b) the development of an interoperable high performance rail passenger network, including at high speed, connecting urban nodes across the Union;
- (c) the development of an efficient aviation and inland waterways transport infrastructure and of a maritime transport infrastructure well integrated within the European Maritime Space;
- (d) the development of a safe and secure road network, with sufficient alternative fuel infrastructures, as well as safe and secure parking areas;
- (e) the development of multimodal and interoperable transport solutions;
- (f) the promotion of intermodal integration of the entire logistic chain, interconnecting efficiently in the transport and urban nodes;
- (g) the deployment of the necessary infrastructure which ensures a seamless circulation of zero and low emission vehicles, and of vessels and aircraft using fuels which contribute to transport emission reduction and increased energy security;
- (h) the deployment of ICT systems for transport on all modes on the network, where relevant, in order to ensure an efficient use of the infrastructure and enabling digital information exchange; or
- (i) the improvement of connections between the trans-European transport network and the infrastructure networks of neighbouring countries, where relevant.
CHAPTER III SPECIFIC PROVISIONS
SECTION 1 Railway transport infrastructure
Article 14
Infrastructure components
Railway transport infrastructure shall comprise, in particular:
- (a) railway lines, including:
- (i) tracks;
- (ii) points;
- (iii) level crossings;
- (iv) sidings;
- (v) tunnels;
- (vi) bridges; and
- (vii) infrastructure mitigating impact on environment;
- (b) stations along the railway lines specified in maps set out in Annex I for the transfer of passengers within the rail mode and between rail and other transport modes;
- (c) rail service facilities along the railway lines specified in maps set out in Annex I other than passenger stations as defined in Article 3(11) of Directive 2012/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council ([^E0024]), in particular marshalling yards, train formation facilities, shunting facilities, storage sidings, maintenance facilities, other technical facilities like cleaning and washing facilities, relief facilities and refuelling facilities, as well as automatic gauge-changing facilities for rail;
- (d) the rail access routes connections up to multimodal freight terminals connected by rail, including the rail access routes up to multimodal freight terminals in inland and maritime ports and airports, and the rail access routes up to ‘marshalling yards’, as referred to in point 2(c) of Annex II to Directive 2012/34/EU;
- (e) trackside control-command signalling;
- (f) trackside energy infrastructure;
- (g) infrastructure related to alternative fuels facilities;
- (h) associated equipment; and
- (i) ICT systems for transport.
The technical equipment associated with railway lines may include electrification systems, equipment for the boarding and alighting of passengers and the loading and unloading of cargo in stations and terminals, as well as innovative technologies in their deployment phase.
Article 15
Transport infrastructure requirements for the comprehensive network
Member States shall ensure that the railway infrastructure of the comprehensive network complies with:
- (a) Directive (EU) 2016/797 and the implementing acts adopted thereunder in order to achieve the interoperability of the comprehensive network; and
- (b) the requirements of the technical specifications for interoperability (TSIs) adopted pursuant to Articles 4 and 5 of Directive (EU) 2016/797 without prejudice to the exemptions provided for in Article 7(1) of that Directive.
Member States shall ensure that, by 31 December 2050, the railway infrastructure of the comprehensive network, except connections referred to in Article 14(1), point (d):
- (a) is fully electrified as regards line tracks and, to the extent necessary for electric train operations, as regards sidings;
- (b) enables, without special permission, an axle load of at least 22,5 tonnes; and
- (c) enables, without special permission, the operation of freight trains with a train length of at least 740 m (including the locomotive or locomotives). This requirement is met if, on double track lines, at least one train path per hour and direction on average on a daily basis, can be allocated to freight trains with a length of at least 740 m if requested by a railway undertaking.
The requirements set out in paragraph 2, points (b) and (c), shall apply only on those lines of the comprehensive network which:
- (a) connect a multimodal freight terminal or a maritime or an inland port with its closest crossing point with the core freight network or extended core freight network;
- (b) constitute a re-routing line of a line that is part of the core freight network or extended core freight network; or
- (c) operate more than ten freight trains per day on average in both directions based on the data for the previous year prior to the notification.
By 19 July 2027, Member States shall notify the Commission of the lines concerned. For cross-border sections, such notification shall be made in agreement with the other Member States concerned.
Member States shall ensure that, by 31 December 2050, the railway infrastructure of the comprehensive network on the connections referred to in Article 14(1), point (d), and which is connected to railway lines used for freight transport referred to in Article 15(3) meets the requirements set out in paragraph 2, points (a), (b) and (c), of this Article unless, with respect to the requirements set out in paragraph 2, point (c), of this Article an exemption from the application of Article 38(3) has been granted by the Commission pursuant to Article 38(4).
Member States shall ensure that, on the railway infrastructure of the comprehensive network, in the event of the construction of a new line, the requirement set out in paragraph 2, point (a), is complied with by 31 December 2040. Projects for which the environmental impact assessment has been initiated by 18 July 2024 shall be excluded from this obligation.
The requirements set out in paragraphs 2 and 4 shall not apply to isolated networks.
Without prejudice to paragraph 6, at the request of a Member State, in duly justified cases, the Commission shall adopt implementing acts granting exemptions in respect of requirements referred to in paragraphs 2 to 5 on grounds of specific geographical or significant physical constraints, negative result of socio-economic cost-benefit analysis or significant negative impacts on environment or biodiversity. Any such request shall be substantiated with sufficient justification. The request for exemptions shall be coordinated with the neighbouring Member State or Member States in the case of cross-border sections. The neighbouring Member States may provide an opinion to the Member State requesting the exemption. The Member State shall attach the opinions of the neighbouring Member States to its request. A Member State may request the granting of several exemptions in a single request.
The Commission shall assess the request in the light of the justification provided, as well as in terms of its significant impact on interoperability and continuity of the railway network where relevant. The Commission shall take duly into account the opinions of the neighbouring Member States concerned.
The Commission may ask for additional information from the Member State no later than 30 calendar days following the receipt of request pursuant to the first subparagraph. If the Commission considers that the information provided is insufficient, it may ask the Member State to supplement that additional information within 30 calendar days from the receipt of that additional information.
The Commission shall take a decision on the requested exemption no later than six months following the receipt of the request pursuant to the first subparagraph or, in the event that further information has been provided by the Member States concerned pursuant to the third subparagraph, no later than four months following the latest receipt of such information, whichever is later. In the absence of an explicit decision by the Commission within such time-limits, the exemption shall be deemed to be granted.
The Commission shall inform other Member States of the exemptions granted pursuant to this Article.
Article 16
Transport infrastructure requirements for the core network and the extended core network
Member States shall ensure that the railway infrastructure of the core network and the extended core network complies with Article 15(1).
Member States shall ensure that, by 31 December 2040, the railway infrastructure of the extended core network, except connections referred to in Article 14(1), point (d), for lines that are part of the network for freight transport:
- (a) meets the requirements set out in Article 15(2), points (a) and (b);
- (b) enables, without special permission, the operation of freight trains with a train length of at least 740 m (including the locomotive or locomotives). This requirement is met if at least the following conditions are complied with:
- (i) on double track lines, at least one train path per two hours and direction and not less than 24 train paths on daily basis, can be allocated to freight trains with a length of at least 740 m if requested by a railway undertaking;
- (ii) on single track lines, at least one train path per three hours and direction and not less than 12 train paths on daily basis, can be allocated to freight trains with a length of at least 740 m if requested by a railway undertaking; and
- (c) for rail sections linking the multimodal freight terminals of two urban nodes or the multimodal freight terminal of an urban node and a border crossing point, over 75 % of the length of each rail section, is designed for a speed of at least 100 km/h for freight trains on the freight lines of the extended core network.
Member States shall ensure that, on the railway infrastructure of the extended core network, in the case of the construction of a new line, the requirement set out in Article 15(2), point (a), is complied with by 31 December 2030. Projects for which the environmental impact assessment has been initiated by 18 July 2024 shall be excluded from this obligation.
Member States shall ensure that, by 31 December 2040, the railway infrastructure of the extended core network, except connections referred to in Article 14(1), point (d), for lines that are part of the network for passenger transport:
- (a) meets the requirements set out in Article 15(2), point (a), on the passenger lines of the extended core network; and
- (b) for rail sections linking the multimodal passenger hubs of two urban nodes or the multimodal passenger hubs of an urban node and a border crossing point, over 75 % of the length of each rail section is designed for a speed of at least 160 km/h for passenger trains on the passenger lines of the extended core network.
Member States shall ensure that, by 31 December 2040, the railway infrastructure of the extended core network on the connections referred to in Article 14(1), point (d), meets the requirements set out in Article 15(2), points (a) and (b), and in paragraph (2), point (b), of this Article unless, with respect to the requirements set out in paragraph (2), point (b), of this Article, an exemption from the application of Article 38(3) has been granted pursuant to Article 38(4).
Member States shall ensure that, by 31 December 2030, the railway infrastructure of the core network, except connections referred to in Article 14(1), point (d):
- (a) for lines that are part of the network for freight transport: meets the requirements set out in paragraph (2), points (a), (b) and (c) of this Article; and
- (b) for the lines that are part of the network for passenger transport: meets the requirements set out in Article 15(2), point (a).
Member States shall ensure that, by 31 December 2040, the railway infrastructure that is part of the core network for passenger transport, except connections referred to in Article 14(1), point (d), meets the requirement set out in paragraph (4), point (b) of this Article.
Member States shall ensure that, by 31 December 2040, lines for freight transport that are part of the railway infrastructure of the core network or extended core network, including connections referred to in Article 14(1), point (d), allow for the circulation of freight trains carrying standard semi-trailers up to 4 m high, loaded at a height of at least 27 cm above the top of the rail track on the European Transport Corridors on their territories.
This requirement shall be deemed to be met if at least the following conditions are complied with on each European Transport Corridor on the territory of the Member State:
- (a) there is at least one direct line meeting that requirement enabling uninterrupted operation of trains in the territory of a Member State and on cross-border lines with each neighbouring Member State;
- (b) there is at least one direct line meeting that requirement to at least one rail road terminal or one multimodal freight terminal located in or adjacent to a maritime port which is part of the European Transport Corridor on the territory of a Member State; and
- (c) there is at least one direct line meeting that requirement to at least one of these end points if one or more end points of a corridor are located on the territory of a Member State.
For cross-border sections, the determination of the lines concerned shall be made in agreement with the neighbouring Member States concerned.
At the latest by 19 July 2027, Member States shall notify the Commission of the lines concerned.
Member States shall ensure that, by 31 December 2030, the railway infrastructure of the core network on the connections referred to in Article 14(1), point (d), meets the requirements set out in Article 15(2), points (a) and (b), and in paragraph (2), point (b) of this Article, unless, with respect to the requirements set out in paragraph (2), point (b) of this Article, an exemption from the application of Article 38(3) has been granted by the Commission pursuant to Article 38(4).
The requirements set out in paragraphs 2 to 9 shall not apply to isolated networks.
Without prejudice to paragraph 10, at the request of a Member State, in duly justified cases, the Commission shall adopt implementing acts granting exemptions in respect of requirements referred to in this Article on the ground of specific geographical or significant physical constraints, negative result of socio-economic cost-benefit analysis or significant negative impacts on environment or biodiversity. Any such request shall be substantiated with sufficient justification. The request for exemptions shall be coordinated with the neighbouring Member State or Member States in the case of cross-border sections. The neighbouring Member States may provide an opinion to the Member State requesting the exemption. The Member State shall attach the opinions of the neighbouring Member States to its request. A Member State may request the granting of several exemptions in a single request.
The Commission shall assess the request in the light of the justification provided as well as in terms of its significant impact on interoperability and continuity of the railway network, where relevant. The Commission shall take duly into account the opinions of the neighbouring Member States concerned.
When assessing requests for exemptions from the requirement related to carriage of the semi-trailers set out in paragraph 8, the Commission shall take particularly into consideration the results of the socio-economic cost-benefit analysis as well as the potential disruption of the services caused by the necessary works needed to meet that requirement.
When assessing requests for the exemptions from the requirements laid down in this Article for the extended core network, the Commission shall take particularly into consideration any major investment undertaken by the Member State concerned on a parallel line in close proximity to the ones to be newly constructed.
The Commission may ask for additional information from the Member State no later than 30 calendar days following the receipt of request pursuant to the first subparagraph. If the Commission considers that the information provided is insufficient, it may ask the Member State to supplement that additional information within 30 calendar days from the receipt of that additional information.
The Commission shall take a decision on the requested exemption no later than six months following the receipt of the request pursuant to the first subparagraph or, in the event that further information has been provided by the Member States concerned pursuant to the third subparagraph, no later than four months following the latest receipt of such information, whichever is later. In the absence of an explicit decision by the Commission within such time-limits, the exemption shall be deemed to be granted.
The Commission shall inform other Member States of the exemptions granted pursuant to this Article.
Article 17
European standard nominal track gauge for rail
Member States shall ensure that any new railway line of the core network and the extended core network, including connections referred to in Article 14(1), point (d), provides for the European standard nominal track gauge of 1 435 mm. That requirement is considered to be met when 1 435 mm track gauge trains can circulate on the infrastructure by 31 December 2030 for the core network and by 31 December 2040 for the extended core network. For the purposes of this Article, new railway line means any line for which construction works have not started by 18 July 2024.
By way of derogation from paragraph 1 of this Article, the Member States on the territory of which, on 18 July 2024, no new railway line is planned to be connected to the land border of another Member State according to Annex I, shall draw up a plan identifying the new railway line to be built in accordance with the European standard nominal track gauge of 1 435 mm. That plan shall take account of the impact on interoperability with the neighbouring Member State or Member States, by taking account of, notably, the possible migration of existing railway lines to the European standard nominal track gauge of 1 435 mm in accordance with paragraph 3 of this Article. The plan shall include a socio-economic cost-benefit analysis justifying the decision of the Member State, where relevant, not to build new railway infrastructure to the European standard nominal track gauge of 1 435 mm and an assessment of the impact on interoperability. That plan shall be submitted to the Commission by 19 July 2026.
Member States with an existing rail network, or a part thereof, with a track gauge different from that of the European standard nominal track gauge of 1 435 mm shall carry out an assessment, by 19 July 2026, identifying the existing railway lines located on the European Transport Corridors in view of their possible migration to the European standard nominal track gauge of 1 435 mm. The assessment shall be coordinated with the neighbouring Member State or Member States in the case of cross-border sections. The assessment shall include a socio-economic cost-benefit analysis on the viability of the possible migration to the European standard nominal track gauge of 1 435 mm and an assessment of the impact on interoperability.
Based on the assessment under the first subparagraph, Member States shall draw up a plan for migration to the European standard nominal track gauge of 1 435 mm where relevant, at the latest one year following the completion of the assessment, identifying the existing railway lines located on the European Transport Corridors to be migrated to the European standard nominal track gauge of 1 435 mm and provide for an indication of the timeline of that migration.
First and second subparagraphs shall apply mutatis mutandis to the railway lines for which construction works have started on 18 July 2024.
The priorities for infrastructure and investment planning resulting from the plans referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article shall be included in the first work plan of the European Coordinator for a European Transport Corridor of which the freight railway lines with a track gauge different from that of the European standard nominal track gauge is part, in accordance with Article 54.
At the request of a Member State, in duly justified cases, the Commission shall adopt implementing acts granting a temporary exemption from the requirements referred to in paragraph 1 for new railway lines of the core network and extended core network, or for part thereof, on the ground of negative results of socio-economic cost-benefit analysis. Any request for exemption shall be based on sufficient justification. The requests for exemption shall be coordinated with the neighbouring Member State or Member States in the case of cross-border sections. The neighbouring Member States may provide an opinion to the Member State requesting the exemption. The Member State shall attach the opinions of the neighbouring Member States to its request. A Member State may request the granting of several exemptions in a single request.
The Commission shall assess the request in the light of the justification provided as well as in terms of its significant impact on interoperability and continuity of the railway network, where relevant. The Commission shall take duly into account the opinions of the neighbouring Member States concerned.
The Commission may ask for additional information from the Member State no later than 30 calendar days following the receipt of request pursuant to the first subparagraph. If the Commission considers that the information provided is insufficient, it may ask the Member State to supplement that additional information within 30 calendar days from the receipt of that additional information.
The Commission shall take a decision on the requested exemption no later than six months following the receipt of the request pursuant to the first subparagraph or, in the event that further information has been provided by the Member States concerned pursuant to the third subparagraph, no later than four months following the latest receipt of such information, whichever is later. The decision shall indicate the period for which the exemption is granted.
The Commission shall inform other Member States of the exemptions granted pursuant to this Article.
Article 18
The European Rail Traffic Management System
Member States shall ensure that:
- (a) ERTMS is equipped on the railway infrastructure of the extended core network by 31 December 2040 and the comprehensive network by 31 December 2050, except connections referred to in Article 14(1), point (d), while ensuring a synchronised and harmonised ERTMS deployment trackside and on board of trains; and
- (b) ERTMS is deployed on connections referred to in Article 14(1), point (d), of the extended core network by 31 December 2040 and the comprehensive network by 31 December 2050, where such equipment is deemed to be necessary by the Member State concerned in coordination with the relevant stakeholders, in particular the infrastructure manager.
Member States shall ensure that by 31 December 2030:
- (a) the railway infrastructure of the core network, except connections referred to in Article 14(1), point (d), meets the requirements of paragraph 1; and
- (b) ERTMS is deployed on connections referred to in Article 14(1), point (d), of the core network where such equipment is deemed to be necessary by the Member State concerned in coordination with the relevant stakeholders, in particular the infrastructure manager.
Member States shall ensure that class B systems are decommissioned, no later than by 31 December 2040 on the core network, by 31 December 2045 on the extended core network and by 31 December 2050 on the comprehensive network, provided that an appropriate level of safety is ensured, except for sections in urban nodes also used by suburban passenger trains equipped with dedicated class B train protection systems.
Member States shall ensure that the railway infrastructure of the core network, the extended core network and the comprehensive network is equipped with radio-based ERTMS by 31 December 2050.
Member States shall ensure that radio-based ERTMS is deployed on the railway infrastructure of the core network, the extended core network and the comprehensive network from 31 December 2030, in the case of the construction of a new line, or from 31 December 2040, in the case of the upgrading of the signalling system.
Member States shall ensure that radio-based ERTMS is deployed by 31 December 2050 on connections referred to in Article 14(1), point (d), of the core network, the extended core network and the comprehensive network, where such equipment is deemed to be necessary by the Member State concerned in coordination with the infrastructure manager and other relevant stakeholders. In the case of the construction of a new line, such deployment shall be ensured from 31 December 2030.
The requirements set out in paragraphs 1 to 6 shall not apply to isolated networks.
Without prejudice to paragraph 7, at the request of a Member State, in duly justified cases, the Commission shall adopt implementing acts granting exemptions in respect of requirements referred to in paragraphs 1 to 6. Any request for exemption shall be based on negative result of socio-economic cost-benefit analysis and an assessment of the impact on interoperability. Any such request shall be substantiated with sufficient justification. The request for exemptions shall be coordinated with the neighbouring Member State or Member States in the case of cross-border sections. The neighbouring Member States may provide an opinion to the Member State requesting the exemption. The Member State shall attach the opinions of the neighbouring Member States to its request. A Member State may request the granting of several exemptions in a single request. Requested exemptions shall comply with the requirements of Directive (EU) 2016/797.
The Commission shall assess the request in the light of the justification provided under the first subparagraph as well as in terms of its significant impact on interoperability. The Commission shall take duly into account the opinions of the neighbouring Member States concerned.
The Commission may ask for additional information from the Member State no later than 30 calendar days following the receipt of request pursuant to the first subparagraph. If the Commission considers that the information provided is insufficient, it may ask the Member State to supplement that additional information within 30 calendar days from the receipt of that additional information.
The Commission shall take a decision on the requested exemption no later than six months following the receipt of the request pursuant to the first subparagraph or, in the event that further information has been provided by the Member States concerned pursuant to the third subparagraph, no later than four months following the latest receipt of such information, whichever is later. In the absence of an explicit decision by the Commission within such time-limits, the exemption shall be deemed to be granted.
The Commission shall inform other Member States of the exemptions granted pursuant to this Article.
Article 19
Operational priorities
The Rail Freight governance shall make all possible efforts to ensure by 31 December 2030, that, on the European Transport Corridors, the quality of services provided to railway undertakings and technical and operational requirements for infrastructure use do not prevent the operational performance of rail freight services along the European Transport Corridors from meeting the following target values:
- (a) for each internal cross-border section, the dwelling time of all freight trains crossing the border between two Member States does not exceed 25 minutes on average, except at the sections where a change of track gauge takes place or where the checks carried out at a border where the controls have not yet been lifted on trains in application of point 1.2 of Annex VI to Regulation (EU) 2016/399 do not allow for this time-limit to be complied with; the dwelling time of a train on a cross-border section means the total additional transit time that can be attributed to the existence of the border crossing, irrespective of procedures or considerations of infrastructural, operational, technical and administrative nature; dwelling time does not include the time that cannot be attributed to the border crossing, such as operational procedures carried out in facilities located in the proximity of the border crossing but not intrinsically related to it; and
- (b) at least 75 % of the freight trains crossing at least one border along a European Transport Corridor arrive at their destination, or at the external Union border if their destination is outside the Union, at their scheduled time or with a delay of less than 30 minutes by reasons that are attributable to the infrastructure manager(s) of the Union; delays occurring in and attributable to third countries that are crossed by freight trains shall not be taken into account.
Member States shall make all possible efforts to ensure that, by 31 December 2030 for the lines for freight transport on the core network, by 31 December 2040 for the lines for freight transport on the extended core network, and by 31 December 2050 for the lines for freight transport of the comprehensive network referred to in Article 15(3), the following conditions apply:
- (a) on double track lines, at least two train paths per hour and direction can be allocated to freight trains with a length of at least 740 m (including the locomotive or locomotives); and
- (b) on single track lines, at least one train path per two hours and direction can be allocated to freight trains with a length of at least 740 m (including the locomotive or locomotives).
Article 20
Additional priorities for railway infrastructure development
In the promotion of projects of common interest related to railway infrastructure, and in addition to the general priorities set out in Articles 12 and 13, attention shall be given to the following:
- (a) migrating to the European standard nominal track gauge of 1 435 mm, where relevant;
- (b) mitigating the impact of noise and vibration caused by rail transport, in particular through measures for rolling stock and for infrastructure, including noise protection barriers;
- (c) improving the safety of level crossings;
- (d) where appropriate, connecting railway transport infrastructure with inland waterway port infrastructure;
- (e) subject to socio-economic costs and benefits analysis, developing infrastructure for train lengths above 740 m and up to 1 500 m and 25,0 tonnes axle load when constructing and modernising railway lines relevant for freight traffic;
- (f) developing and deploying innovative technologies for railways, building in particular on the work of the Shift2Rail and Europe’s Rail Joint Undertakings, notably automatic train operation, advanced traffic management, and digital connectivity for passengers based on ERTMS and digital automatic couplings, connectivity based on 5G and satellite and inertial units for the geopositioning units of ERTMS;
- (g) when building or upgrading railway infrastructure, ensure the continuity and accessibility of pedestrian and cycling paths, and develop bicycle parking in the vicinity of the stations in order to promote the active modes of transport;
- (h) developing innovative alternative fuels technologies for railways, such as hydrogen or battery powered trains for sections and rail access routes that are exempted from the electrification requirement;
- (i) for the development of the trans-European transport network, providing a standard of ensuring the circulation of freight trains carrying standard semi-trailers up to 4 m high loaded at a height of 33 cm, without any additional requirement for special permission to operate services; and
- (j) upgrading to double-track rail in bottlenecks sections suffering from capacity barriers.
SECTION 2 Inland waterways transport infrastructure
Article 21
Infrastructure components
Inland waterways infrastructure shall comprise, in particular:
- (a) rivers;
- (b) canals;
- (c) lakes and lagoons;
- (d) related infrastructure such as locks, elevators, bridges, reservoirs and associated flood and drought prevention and mitigation measures which may bring positive effects to inland waterway navigation;
- (e) access waterways and last mile connections to multimodal freight terminals connected by inland waterways, in particular in inland and maritime ports;
- (f) mooring and rest places;
- (g) inland ports, including basic port infrastructure in the form of internal basins, quay walls, berths, jetties, docks, dykes, backfills, platforms, land reclamation and the infrastructure necessary for transport operations within the port area and outside the port area;
- (h) associated equipment referred to in paragraph 2;
- (i) ICT systems for transport, including RIS;
- (j) the connections of the inland ports to the other modes in the trans-European transport network;
- (k) infrastructure related to facilities for alternative fuels; and
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