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

# Naročnik/Applicant Projekt/Project
1 2TDK d.o.o. Verification of the construction of the 2nd track Divača-Koper
2 Tiring d.o.o. Verification of the design upgrade of Ljubljana railway station
3 GH HOLDING d.o.o. Verification of compliance with TSI CCS and national regulations on the project "Installation of ERTMS/ETCS on the railway lines d.m.-Dobova-Zidani Most and Pragersko-Maribor-Šentilj-d.m."
4 INSTITUT IGH / GRANOVA Verification of infrastructure subsystems, energy, and control-management and signaling during the design phase of the project "CONSTRUCTION OF THE SECOND RAIL TRACK, RECONSTRUCTION AND MODERNIZATION OF THE RAILWAY LINE ŠKRLJEVO-RIJEKA-JURDANI"
5 MZI, Directorate of the Republic of Slovenia for Infrastructure Verification in accordance with TSI ENE, TSI INF, and TSI SRT for the new section construction from 595+900 to 599+600 on the Maribor-Šentilj-d.m. railway line
6 MZI, Directorate of the Republic of Slovenia for Infrastructure Verification of infrastructure and energy subsystems for the upgrade of the Maribor-Šentilj-d.m. railway line section and 4 railway stations, and new section construction from 595+900 to 599+600, in compliance with national regulations
7 Plasser & Theurer GmbH Verification of six (6) vehicles in accordance with European legislation.
8 Iskra d.o.o. Verification of the control-management and signaling subsystem alongside the railway line according to national regulations on the project Upgrading of SC devices on railway line no. 30 Zidani Most-Šentilj-d.m.
9 MZI, Directorate of the Republic of Slovenia for Infrastructure Verification of executed works on the infrastructure subsystem during the upgrade of the Pragersko railway junction
10 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
11 MZI, Directorate of the Republic of Slovenia for Infrastructure Verification of ENE, INF, and CCS subsystems within the implementation of grade-separated accesses at nine (9) stations on the JŽI with TSI and national regulations
12 MZI, Directorate of the Republic of Slovenia for Infrastructure Verification of compliance of project documentation and executed works with TSI and national regulations for the Infrastructure subsystem for the upgrade of the Škofljica railway station
13 MZI, Directorate of the Republic of Slovenia for Infrastructure Verification of design and executed works on the infrastructure subsystem during the construction of a new underpass and new station at Ledina
14 MZI, Directorate of the Republic of Slovenia for Infrastructure Verification of the infrastructure subsystem within the establishment of a central system for passenger information on railway infrastructure with TSI and national regulations
15 SŽ-PP d.d. Verification of IZN according to TSI INF (PRM) for the upgrade of railway infrastructure in the area of Nova Gorica station
16 Tiring d.o.o. Verification of project documentation IZN for the upgrade of the MB-Ruše section on regional railway line no. 34 MB-Prevalje-d.m. and railway infrastructure upgrade in the area of the railway triangle in MB according to reference European regulations
17 MZI, Directorate of the Republic of Slovenia for Infrastructure Verification of compliance of project documentation and executed works for the underpass under the railway in Boštanj on G1-5/0333 with TSI and national regulations
  18 SŽ-VIT Ptuj, Center Ptuj Verification of the upgrade of selective door blocking on passenger wagons according to EU legislation requirements and relevant TSI for interoperability.
19 Plasser & Theurer GmbH Verification of track maintenance vehicle according to EU legislation requirements and relevant TSI for interoperability.
20 BR-ICS GmbH Verification of the Bombardier TRAXX3 MS (BR188) vehicle according to Slovenian legislation.
21 GEISMAR ITALIA S.p.A. Verification of 25 special purpose wagons model R16T according to European legislation.
22 Strabag AG branch office Skopje Verification of design and execution upgrade for the renovation of the remaining part of the first section Kumanovo-Beljakovce
23 Hitachi Rail STS SpA Verification of the ETR 700 vehicle according to Slovenian legislation.
24 PZP KRAGUJEVAC d.o.o. Verification of a 32-axle wagon according to EU legislation
25 HŽ INFRASTRUKTURA d.o.o. Verification of the railway line section Hrvatski Leskovac – Karlovac, according to EU requirements and relevant TSI.
26 Tiring d.o.o. Verification of project documentation IZN for the upgrade of Podnart and Lesce Bled railway stations

Certificates Issued

Application for conformity assessment procedure

Inquiry Form