Interoperability of the Rail System

Based on the Directives on interoperability of the rail system within the European Union, the process was initiated aiming at ensuring safe and unhindered rail transportation across member states’ rail systems. The currently valid Directive on the interoperability of the rail system within the European Union (2016/797/EU) and applicable technical specifications for interoperability (TSI) related to specific railway structural subsystems stipulate essential requirements for interoperability and safety. Those shall be adhered to by the manufacturers and service providers during design, manufacturing, and installation in the infrastructural subsystems.

Consequently, each interoperability component has to be assessed for its conformity and its suitability for use. 

In case of new builds, reconstructions, or upgrades of infrastructure or rail stock, an appropriate procedure for EC verification of railway structural subsystems is required.

Conformity assessment of components and their suitability for use or EC verification of railway structural subsystems are carried out by the Notified Bodies in accordance with procedures harmonized with the requirements of the modules set forth in a certain technical specification. It is requested by the applicant (customer, manufacturer, installer, etc.) in order to prove that all requirements have been met during the design, manufacturing, and assembly/installation.

As a result, EC declaration of conformity or suitability for use or declaration of verification is issued, together with the accompanying technical file. That is one of the key prerequisites to obtain the authorization to place in service a subsystem applied for at the safety authority (Public Agency for railway transport). EC declarations are valid in all EU member states and are available to all interested parties in the ERADIS – European Railway Agency Database of Interoperability and Safety.

In accordance with the Railway Traffic Safety Act (ZVZelP-1), Q Techa has been authorized as a Designated Body (DeBo) for conformity assessment with the national rules of the Republic of Slovenia.

In addition, the applicant has to prove the subsystem conformity with the national regulations of a member state when:

  • Certain technical aspects corresponding to the essential requirements are not explicitly covered in a TSI, including open points
  • Non-conformance or deviation from TSI has been notified (Article 7)
  • There is a specific case that requires the use of technical regulations which are not included in a specific TSI
  • National regulations are used for technical compatibility assessment of a vehicle and existing rail system
  • Vehicles and rail systems are not included in TSI
  • Received requests for verification of structural subsystems and conformity assessment of interoperability components
  • A temporary preventive measure is necessary, especially after an accident.

In accordance with the Directive 2016/797/EU and the requirements of the Railway Traffic Safety Act (ZVZelP-1, Q Techna d.o.o. has been authorized as the:

  • Notified Body (NoBo) for conformity assessment of technical specifications for interoperability, and
  • Designated Body (DeBo) for conformity assessment with the national rules of the Republic of Slovenia.

The authorizations are valid for the following railway structural subsystems:

  • Infrastructure,
  • Energy,
  • Control-command and signaling track-side,
  • Control-command and signaling on-board,
  • Rolling stock.

Q Techna is a full member of the international non-profit organization of the notified bodies for interoperability in the railway sector, NB-Rail Association.

Tomaž Motoh

Tomaž Motoh

Head of Railway System
Interoperability

+386 41 554 008
tomaz.motoh@qtechna.si
interoperabilnost@qtechna.si

Current Projects

# Client/Applicant Project
1 2TDK d.o.o. Verification of construction of the 2nd track Divača-Koper
2 GH HOLDING d.o.o. Verification according to TSI CCS and national regulations for the project "Installation of ERTMS/ETCS on the tracks d.m.-Dobova-Zidani Most and Pragersko-Maribor-Šentilj-d.m."
3 GEISMAR ITALIA S.p.A. Verification of low-floor wagon RB40 TL/R according to EU legislation requirements.
4 Iskra d.o.o. Verification of subsystems for control-management and signaling along the track according to national regulations for the project Upgrade of SV devices on railway track no. 30 Zidani Most-Šentilj-d.m.
5 MZI, Directorate of the Republic of Slovenia for Infrastructure Verification of project documentation and executed works according to TSI for INF and ENE at P. Šmartno ob Paki.
6 MZI, Directorate of the Republic of Slovenia for Infrastructure Verification of subsystems ENE, INF, and CCS in the framework of the installation of grade-separated accesses at nine (9) stations on JŽI with TSI and national regulations.
7 MZI, Directorate of the Republic of Slovenia for Infrastructure Verification of the compliance of project documentation and executed works with TSI and national regulations for the Infrastructure subsystem for the upgrade of the Škofljica railway station.
8 MZI, Directorate of the Republic of Slovenia for Infrastructure Verification of the infrastructure subsystem in the framework of establishing a central system for passenger information on railway infrastructure with TSI and national regulations.
9 SŽ-PP d.d. Verification of IZN according to TSI INF (PRM) for the upgrade of railway infrastructure at Nova Gorica station.
10 Tiring d.o.o. Verification of project documentation IZN for the upgrade of the MB-Ruše section on regional railway track no. 34 MB-Prevalje-d.m. and the upgrade of railway infrastructure at the railway triangle area in MB according to reference European regulations.
11 MZI, Directorate of the Republic of Slovenia for Infrastructure Verification of compliance of project documentation and executed works for the underpass below the railway track in Boštanj on G1-5/0333 with TSI and national regulations.
12 Plasser & Theurer GmbH Verification of OTM vehicles according to EU legislation requirements (TSI NOI).
13 HŽ INFRASTRUKTURA d.o.o. Verification of the railway track on the section Hrvatski Leskovac – Karlovac, according to EU requirements and relevant TSI.
14 MZI, Directorate of the Republic of Slovenia for Infrastructure Verification of compliance of project documentation and executed works for the renovation project of the waiting room at Maribor railway station with TSI and national regulations.

Certificates Issued

Application for conformity assessment procedure

Inquiry Form