OBJECTIVE : to achieve interoperability of the trans-European rail system, i.e. the ability of the
trans-European high-speed rail system to allow the uninterrupted movement of high-speed trains
across Community territory.
COMMUNITY MEASURE : Council Directive 96/48/EC on the interoperablity of the trans-European high-speed rail system.
SUBSTANCE : the Directive lays down the parameters and procedures required for the adoption of
technical specifications for interoperability, particularly in respect of the structural subsystems
(infrastructure, energy, control and command, signalling and rolling stock).
With regard to infrastructure, high-speed lines should comprise:
- specially built high-speed lines equipped for speeds generally equal to or greater than 250km/h,
- specially upgraded high-speed lines equipped for speeds of the order of 200km/h,
- specially upgraded high-speed lines which have special features as a result of topographical, relief
or town-planning constraints, on which the speed must be adapted to each case.
With regard to rolling stock, the high-speed advanced-technology trains should be designed in such
a way as to guarantee safe, uninterrupted travel:
- at a speed of at least 250 km/h on the lines specially built for high speed, while enabling speeds of
over 300km/h to be reached in appropriate circumstances,
- at a speed of the order of 200 km/h on specially upgraded existing lines,
- at the highest possible speed on other lines.
DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE: 8 October 1996
DEADLINE FOR TRANSPOSITION INTO NATIONAL LEGISLATION: 8 April 1999
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