In Europe, operating cross-border trains requires coordination and information exchange between a range of industry players—rail companies, infrastructure managers, station and terminal managers, and rolling stock keepers.

Because this information is exchanged digitally, the communication process is defined in 2 TSIs created by the EU’s interoperability directive:

• the TSI on telematics applications for passenger service (TAP)
• the TSI on telematics applications for freight service (TAF)

Both set shared standards for data exchange.

Imagine a train traveling through several different European countries to get from Point A to Point B.  Before it can depart, its operator must request a train path, assigned by each country for its own network. To let operators file a single request instead of applying to each country, the telematics TSIs create standardized messages. The initial request is distributed as needed, and the train path is created—a much less complex process.

Based on the data it receives, each infrastructure manager is tasked with handling the request on its own territory. But that’s not all. The telematics TSIs for freight and passenger service are also designed to create the tools needed to standardize information for tracking trains, booking tickets and more.

They’re the medium for systems communication between railway players at international level. This is true for both base data and real-time data, such as tracking the movements of a train. Because they’re involved in data exchange, the telematics TSIs have to evolve along with the other TSIs, keeping pace with new needs and new technologies.

The telematics TSIs standardize telematic exchanges between players and systems at national and European level, making data-sharing more efficient. These exchanges include data on scheduled and actual timetables, with the causes of any delays, fare and rate information, booking and ticket sales for passengers, transport of vehicles, bikes and luggage, plus information on amenities for people with reduced mobility in stations and aboard trains, and ticket checks.

This data and these services are shared between rail industry players, but they’re also made available to passengers by rail companies—and by station managers and ticket vendors, where the rail company doesn’t fill these roles.

Standardizing telematic exchanges makes freight transport more efficient, especially at international level. This benefits every player in the chain—shippers, shunting managers, combined yards and terminals, lead rail companies, co- and subcontracting rail companies, wagon keepers and more.

The telematics TSIs are relevant for electronic waybills¹, capacity allocation, train preparation and traffic, and wagon movements. In addition, giving each train a unique, permanent identifier at European level will let us track a train over a long journey spanning several networks without any ambiguity, even if a delay forces a change in plan. This identifier supplements existing train numbers for both freight and passenger trains.