Optimal Coordination of Timetable and Infrastructure Development in a Liberalised Railway Market

Abstrakt

The gradual liberalisation of the European railway market has so far mainly been assessed regarding its effect on the grade of competition and market access. However, one major impact has not received much attention yet: the effects of the liberalisation on the joint development of timetables and infrastructure. This is especially crucial for countries that align their railway network according to the requirements of the Integrated Timetable (ITF). The implementation of the ITF requires a longterm planning process and network-wide cost-intensive infrastructure measures. Contrary to that, open access traffic can neither be planned in the long-term, nor is it coherent with the ITF. Recent conflicts show that the assignment of train paths for open access traffic considerably affects the system of the ITF, calling for significant timetable and/or infrastructure adaptions. For an efficient and sustainable railway system, a holistic approach is needed allowing for a combination of open access and the requirements of the ITF.
To derive a suitable methodology the status quo of the ITF-implementation and open access traffic is analysed in Austria, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. Based on these findings, three options are identified on how open access can be integrated in an ITF-system according to the EU legislation. Advantages and disadvantages are discussed and finally the optimal procedure in terms of a sustainable network development is recommended.